- Pheidole cf. noda :
Latin Name:Pheidole cf. noda Synonyms: Pheidole nodus, Pheidole rhombinoda
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(2) shows higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Japan, Vietnam, Java, India, Sri Lanka
Habitate:open land, woodland and woodmargins
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 13mm Colour: black
Worker:Size: 3 - 4,5mm Colour: head and gaster blackish brown, Thorax reddish brown
Soldier:Size: 4,5mm Colour: blackish brown with a larger postpetiole
Males:Size: - Colour:
Nutrition:honeywater, insects (small fruit flies, houseflies and small crickets), grains e.g. sesame, amaranthus or millet
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in soil, under stones, under and in rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder,Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:similar to forest
Decoration:stones, Leaflitter, Twigs,
Description:These Pheidole is very common in the southwestern regions of Japan. They establish smaller colonies then other Pheidole species and nestdisturbance don`t influence the production of soldiers. They are specialist in escaping so you will need a good escapeprevention.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral
colonysize: approx. 3000 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
ASIA :
ANTS Species :
Below is a review for ants availble for hobbyists based on www.antstore.net and videos , photos from different sources ..
- Polyrhachis dives (weaver ants) :
Latin Name:Polyrhachis dives
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) easy to keep but higher requirements to escapeprevention
Distribution:Asia
Habitate:-
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 12 mm Colour: silver/black big and strong
Worker:Size: 6 - 8mm Colour: silver/black
Soldier:Size: - Colour: -
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrition:honeywater, insects (small fruit flies, houseflies and small crickets),
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: day: 28- 30°C night: 24 - 28°C Nestpart: 28 - 30°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:large nests, they weave moss and gras into it
Kind of Formicaria:Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder,Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:similar to meadows
Decoration:stones, Leaflitter, cork , branches
Description:They often live at ground level, build their nests willingly on stones or on barks. They use their larvae to spin of the nest.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: -
colonysize: -
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
- Carebara diversa - Pheidologeton diversus :
Latin Name:Carebara diversa
Synonym: Pheidologeton diversus
Trivialname:Marauder ants, Asian Army ants
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Solenopsidini
Keeping Level:(3) shows highest requirements to climate, nutrition and escapeprevention
Distribution:Southeast Asia
Habitate:open sunexposed but moist areas, cropping areas like ricefields
Colonyform:polygyne( up to 16 queens)
Queen:Size: 20 - 25mm Colour: chestnut brown to black
Worker:Size: 2 - 3,5mm Colour: chestnut brown to black, extremly polymorph
Soldier:Size: 9,5 - 15mm Colour: chestnut brown to black, work as foodstorage
Males:Size: 13mm Colour: darkbrown, legs reddish brown
Nutrition:honeywater, insects (small fruit flies, houseflies and small crickets), grains e.g. sesame, amaranthus or millet, nuts, also tuna in oil, biscuits and ricecrisps, fruits like grapes or apples
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 50 - 80% there should be a permanent offering of watertubes or something similar
Temperature:Arena: day: 28- 30°C night: 24 - 28°C Nestpart: 28 - 30°C with a small temperature gradient
Hibernation:even when they are tropic they will benefit from a small winterrest. there should be a cooldown for ca. 6 weeks where the nighttemperature is set to 20 °C this allows the queen to regenerate and slow down the brooddevelopment
Nestform:nest in soil, using lost burrows of other animals but also excavate on their own
Kind of Formicaria:Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder,Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:similar to meadows
Decoration:stones, Leaflitter, cork , branches
Description:Carebara diversa (Pheidologeton diversus) is mainly known for having the biggest size differences between the minor and the major workers. They are high aggressive ants which attack everything within their territorium. Pheidologeton need a high amount of nutrition. During the drier season their diet persists up to 50% of small seeds.
Pheidologeton is very prone to mites so old food must always be taken out of the arena. The balance between humidity and ventilation is very fragile and should always be controlled to avoid mold and mites.
Development:matingflight: dry areas once a year, wetter areas every three month possible
founding: claustral but also budding and adoption are possible. Broodcycle: minors :egg to larvae 9 days, larvae to pupae 9 days, pupae to worker 10 days. Majors need a little bit longer with approx. 45 days of development.
colonysize: monogyne 20. 000 to 30. 000, polygyne up to 50.000 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Crematogaster rogenhoferi
Latin Name:Crematogaster rogenhoferi
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Crematogastrini
Keeping Level:(2) shows higher requirements to climate and escape prevention
Distribution:Southeast Asia
Habitate:tropical rainforest
Colonyform:facultative polygyne
Queen:Size: 10mm Colour: beige, Gaster brown
Worker:Size: 3 - 4mm Colour: beige Gaster brown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 3,5mm Colour: brownish yellow, legs and antenna whitish yellow
Nutrion:honeywater and insects like flies and crickets
Airhumidity:Arena: 60 - 70% Nestpart: 60 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:building papernest around twigs and branches
Kind of Formicaria:Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: M - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam, cork Arena: Sand-loam, branches, wood, roots,
Planting:similar to tropical rainforest
Decoration:stones, leavelitter, twigs, cork
Description:Crematogaster rogenhoferi build their nest in trees, mainly in heights between 2.5 m and 4.5 m. The nests are approximately 22cm long and 10cm wide. Also when you use an island formicarium it is recommend to cover the nest with another basin. This makes it also easy to keep the right humidity.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral
colonysize: a few thousand workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:- Forum
- Reference
- Aphaenogaster beccari :
Latin Name:Aphaenogaster beccari
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(1) higher requirements towards climate and escape prevention
Distribution:Southern Asia mainly West-India
Habitat:tropical rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 8mm Colour: blackish brown
Worker:Size: 5 - 6mm Colour: blackish brown, legs red
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 6mm Colour: black
NutritionHoneywater, insects e.g. Dipterans like flies or mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in soil also in rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, Cork Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to tropicalforest with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, roots, leavelitter
Description:Aphaenogaster beccari is a fast moving and active ant from southern Asia with their maindistribution in India.
Development:matingflight: with begin of the rainseason
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Adam's Crematogaster Rogenhoferi Colony
- Diacamma rugosum :
Latin Name:Diacamma rugosum
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) shows higher requirements to climate and escape prevention
Distribution:Southeast Asia
Habitate:tropical rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 10 - 12mm Colour: mainly called queenless. They can distinguished from normal workers through some small glands which are homolog to the forewings. These glands are called Gemmae.
Worker:Size: 10 - 12mm Colour: black with white hair
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: orange to red
Nutrion:honeywater and insects like flies and crickets, fruits e.g. grapes
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in moist loamsoil and under stones
Kind of Formicaria:Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: L - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:similar to tropical Rainforest
Decoration:stones, Leaflitter, Twigs
Description:Diacamma rugosum is an Asian antspecies which shows high activity outside the nest. They need a high amount of proteins for their brood. Insect are paralysed and killed with their effective stinger. Humans often show local pain-reactions after they got stung by these ants. When they find a larger foodsource workers guide each other by tandemruns to the foodsource.
Diacamma rugosum are often termed queenless. But correctly it must be said that all newborn ants are ergatoid queens and become workers through amputation of their gemmae. These gemmae are special glands which enable the reproduction. After the old gamergate (ergatoid) has died newborn workers are able to mate and start egg production.
Development:matingflight: males fly between January and pril
founding: semiclaustral
colonysize: a few hundred workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Diacamma rugosum
- Messor aciculatus :
Latin Name:Messor aciculatus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(1) Species from Asia with higher requirements to escape prevention
Distribution:China, Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Russia
Habitat:Sand and shrub areas, open grassland
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 10mm Colour: shiny black
Worker:Size: 4 - 5mm Colour: shiny black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4 - 10mm Colour: shiny black
NutritionMostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass) but insects, too
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes
Nestform:Build their nest in soil and under stones, nest depth can be up to 4m
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to savanah areas with grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, roots, treeneedels,
Description:This species is a highly granivor ant which collects all kinds of small seeds and chews them into so- called antbread. Most of their water-requirements are covered through seeds and insects. Honeywater is only accepted when there is a lack of moisture.Messor aciculatus tends to drown in open water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton.
Development:matingflight: April to May
founding: claustral (without feeding) colony age up to 25 years
colonysize: up to 10.000 individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Messor Aciculatus (Care And Setup)
- Camponotus turkestanus :
Latin Name:Camponotus turkestanus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) easy to keep but higher requirements towards escape prevention
Distribution:Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Northwestchina
Habitat:Steppe, semi -desert
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size:12mm Colour: Legs yellow, head and thorax black, gaster yellow to yellowish black
Worker:Size: 6 - 12mm Colour: yellow, majors with black head and black gastertip
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 8mm Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater, insects e.g. Dipterans like flies or mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 35°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes from November until March
Nestform:Build their nest in soil, under stones
Kind of Formicaria:Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to semi-desert with grass and other dry adapted plants
Decoration:Branches, roots, stones
Description:Camponotus turcestanus is a gorgeous colored ant from coninental Asia. It shows a high variability in coloration. So a worker could be completely yellow or even with some black parts.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to 100 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
02 07 2012 Camponotus turkestanus
Harpegnathos venator :
Latin Name:Harpegnathos venator
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) shows higher requirements to climate and nutrition
Distribution:Southeast Asia / India - Malaysia
Habitate:tropical rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 14 - 16mm Colour: black, legs and mandibles reddish brown
Worker:Size: 14 - 16mm Colour: black, legs and mandibles reddish brown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:insects like flies and crickets
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in loamground
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: (M) L - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam, turf, moss ground, dead wood
Planting:similar to tropical rainforest
Decoration:stones, Leavelitter, Twigs, Cork
Description:This ant may jump about 8-10cm while hunting or when threatened, it also has got a good vision. When they find some food they start to waggle with their gaster.
Development:matingflight: with begin of the rainseason
founding: semiclaustral
colonysize: app. 200 - 400 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Harpegnathos venator Hunting
- Camponotus cf. nicobarensis :
Latin Name:Camponotus cf. nicobarensis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) easy to keep with higher requirements towards climate
Distribution:Southern Asia
Habitat:Semi desert, savanna
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 15 - 16mm Colour: redbrown to darkred-brown (dependent on the origin), bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 6 - 12mm Colour: redbrown to brown (dependent on the origin)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 10mm Colour: black
NutritionHoneywater, insects e.g. Dipterans like flies, mosquitos, crickets; also fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 35°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in hollow bricks, wood, bamboo
Kind of Formicaria:Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, Cork Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to semi desert and meadows with moss and gras
Decoration:Branches, roots, leave litter
Description:Camponotus nicobarensis is an active but mostly nocturnal ant. They show a fast brood development and high range towards climate conditions.
Development:matingflight: May to June
founding: claustral (without feeding) development: 28 days ( depending on temperature)
colonysize: up to a few 1000 Individuals, Queen can become 25 years
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Camponotus cf. nicobarensis
-Ectomomyrmex astutus - Pachycondyla astuta
Latin Name:Ectomomyrmex astutus
Synomym: Pachycondyla astuta
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) shows higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Indo-Australia
Habitate:tropical Rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 13mm Colour: black, light silver
Worker:Size: 8,5 - 12mm Colour: black, light silver
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour:
Nutrion:honeywater, insects (small fruit flies, houseflies, small crickets and Spring tails)
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:under dead wood
Kind of Formicaria:Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:similar to tropical Rainforest
Decoration:stones, Leaflitter, Twigs,
Description:These small pachycondyla are very active and show high activity . They are not able to walk on smooth surfaces.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: semiclaustral
colonysize: a few hundred workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Ectomomyrmex astutus (Pachycondyla astuta) terrarium
- Pheidole cf. yeensis :
Latin Name:Pheidole cf. yeensis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(2) shows higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:South China, Vietnam
Habitate:open land, gardens, rural areas and tillage
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 8 - 9mm Colour: brown to darkbrown
Worker:Size: 2 - 4mm Colour: reddish brown
Soldier:Size: 7 - 8mm Colour: darkbrown
Males:Size: 6mm Colour: yellowishbrown
Nutrition:honeywater, insects (small fruit flies, houseflies and small crickets), grains e.g. sesame, amaranthus or millet
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in soil with a wall soil surrounding the nestentrance
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder,Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:similar to tropical Rainforest
Decoration:stones, leaf litter, Twigs,
Description:These Pheidole is very active outside the nest foraging for small insects and also other small ants.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral, the queen can reach a age of 10 and more years
colonysize: a few 1000 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:- Forum
- Reference
Pheidole cf. yeensis- Zuckerwasser
Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ... 1 - 2 - 3
Asia : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
Europe : - Central Europe : 1 - 2 - 3