- Amblyopone australis :
Latin Name:Amblyopone australis
Trivialname:Southern Michelin ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Amblyoponinae Tribe: Amblyoponini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand
Habitate:wet Sclerophyllforest
Colonyform:monogyne also polygyne
Queen:Size: 10mm Colour: reddish to black
Worker:Size: 4,5 - 8mm Colour: reddish to black, slim
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: black
Nutrion:strictly insectivore (caterpillars, mealworms, small fruit flies, 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 stones and dead wood, in Leaf litter
Kind of Formicaria:Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylflatformicaria, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:similar to sclerophyll Rainforest
Decoration:stones, Leaf litter, Twigs,
Description:-
Development:matingflight: -
founding: semiclaustral
colonysize: a few hundred workers , polygynous nest up to 2000 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Camponotus nigriceps :
Latin Name:Camponotus nigriceps
Trivialname:Blackheaded Sugar Ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers
Distribution:Southern half of Australia
Habitat:open grassland, dry sclerophyllforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 16 - 20mm Colour: Head and abdomen black; Thorax amber to reddish brown
Worker:Size: 8 - 14mm Colour: Head and Gaster black, Thorax amber to reddish brown, extremely polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos; fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 26°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of October until end of March at 15 - 18°C (has an endogenic Biorhythm)
Nestform:Build their nest in open places under stones or tufts of grass
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand- Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Meadowareas, grass and succulents like Crassulaceae, Euphorbiaceae
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones
Description:These are one of the most common Camponotus in Australia even so they are mainly nocturnal foragers. In the evening the can often seen foraging in small groups of 5 to 8 workers. They are collecting honeydew from different Hemipterans an nectar from flowers. The show only few aggression against other ants but react very aggressive against Nestdisturbance.
Development:matingflight: -
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
- aphaenogaster longiceps :
Latin Name:Aphaenogaster longiceps
Trivialname:funnel treeant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(1) suitable for beginners
Distribution:eastern coast from queensland down to victoria, also in centralaustralia
Habitat:coastal shrub, wet sclerophyll, dry sclerophyll
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11 - 13mm Colour: shining amber to reddish brown, very bulky
Worker:Size: 5 - 8mm Colour: shining amber to reddish brown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos; fruits, small seeds like millet
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in soil at the foot of shrubs and trees, under Stones and rotten wood with a large funnel as entry
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand- Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Meadowareas, dry forest
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones, leaf litter
Description:These are one of the most common ants in the eastpart of australia. They can be found in open forest and urbanareas.In urban areas they can be pestants through there large nests. But otherwise they have a important role in soilventilation and seeddispersal.
Development:matingflight: -
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
Aphaenogaster longiceps (Funnel Ant)
- Camponotus claripes:
Latin Name:Camponotus claripes
Trivialname:Pale Legged Sugar Ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers
Distribution:Australia
Habitat:open spaces, urban parks, Sclerophyllforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 10 - 12mm Colour: black; legs yellow to reddish yellow
Worker:Size: 4 - 10mm Colour: black, legs yellow to reddish yellow, polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos; fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 20 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 26°C
Hibernation:yes, endogenic Biorhythm cause a diapause from July to september
Nestform:Build their nest in Soil sometimes under Stones and rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand- Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Meadowareas, grass and succulents like Crassulaceae, Euphorbiaceae
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones
Description:These are very common, variable and shy ants. They form only small colonies of rarely more then 100 worker. They prefer sunexposed dry places. Their major- worker are able to become replets. As
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
- Camponotus consobrinus :
Latin Name:Camponotus consobrinus
Trivialname:Banded Sugar Ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers
Distribution:South and Southeastaustralia
Habitat:open forest, dry sclerophyll
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 16 - 20mm Colour: Head and abdomen black; chest and first gastral segment amber
Worker:Size: 8 - 14mm Colour: Head and Gaster black, Thorax and first gastral segement amber, extremely polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos; fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 26°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of October until end of March at 15 - 18°C (has an endogenic Biorhythm)
Nestform:Build their nest in open places under stones or tufts of grass
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand- Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Meadowareas, grass and succulents like Crassulaceae, Euphorbiaceae
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones
Description:These are one of the most common Camponotus in Australia even so they are mainly nocturnal foragers. In the evening the can often seen foraging in small groups of 5 to 8 workers. They are collecting honeydew from different Hemipterans an nectar from flowers. The show only few aggression against other ants but react very aggressive against Nestdisturbance.
Development:matingflight: -
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
06 01 2014 Camponotus consobrinus
Camponotus nigriceps - forced relocation
- Iridomyrmex purpureus :
Latin Name:Iridomyrmex purpureus
Trivialname:Purple Meat Ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Dolichoderinae Tribe: Leptomyrmicini
Keeping Level:(2) Show higher requirements to climate, nutrition and escapeprevention
Distribution:Australia
Habitat:open forest, dry sclerophyll, eucalyptus woodland
Colonyform:monogyne secondary polygyn
Queen:Size: 12 - 15mm Colour: black with a purple iridescence
Worker:Size: 6 - 10mm Colour: head and thorax scarlett to rusty red, gaster black with a purple iridescence
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos; fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 26°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in claysoil, with a huge mount up to 60cm covered with pebbles
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand- Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Meadowareas, moss and different grassspecies
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones
Description:These ants are very common all through Australia and can be found in open grassland but never in wet sclerophyll. The collect everything what they find from seeds to meat. They host many scale insects psylids, leafhoppers, cicads etc. . When disturbed they are very aggressive and attack everything near the nest. They exude the typical smell of piantcleaner when attacked. They are one of the most important predators of canetoads.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to 40.000 Individuals and more
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Meat Ants (Iridomyrmex purpureus)
- Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus :
Latin Name:Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus
Trivialname:spiderant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Dolichoderinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:eastcoast of Australia
Habitat:coastal shrub, wet sclerophyll, open eucalyptusforest
Colonyform:-
Queen:Size: - Colour: -
Worker:Size: 10mm Colour: body black, head reddish
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos; fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in soil at the foot of shrubs and trees
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand- Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Meadowareas, dry forest
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones, leaf litter
Description:These ants are large and interesting. They have long thiny legs and tilt there gaster over the thorax giving them a spider-like look. They collect large amounts of nectar and you can see
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 100 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Red-headed Spider Ant (Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus)
- Myrmecia brevinoda :
Latin Name:Myrmecia brevinoda
Trivialname:Giant brown bullant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmeciinae Tribe: Myrmeciini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention, Colonyfounding is extremely different
Distribution:Australia
Habitate:Sclerophyllforest
Colonyform:monogyne also polygyne(1 to 12 Queens)
Queen:Size: 28 - 30mm Colour: dark red, gaster black
Worker:Size: 13 - 28mm Colour: dark red, gaster black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: black
Nutrion:Honeywater, Sugarwater, Insects like Houseflies, small Crickets and also Fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes, they make diapause from july to september
Nestform:Soil nests at the base of trees, often as a small hill entrance
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: L - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:similar to sclerophyll Rainforest
Decoration:stones, Leaf litter, Twigs
Description:This one of the biggest ants on the australian continent and can be found all along the eastcoast. They develop huge colonies with a few thousand worker. The toxin of this ant is very similar to our native wasps and can cause allergic reactions in some cases. Normally, is very painful and last for 15 to 30min.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: semiclaustral
colonysize: a few hundred workers , polygynous nest up to 2000 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
New (recycled)Myrmecia brevinoda setup
- Myrmecia fulvipes :
Latin Name:Myrmecia fulvipes
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmeciinae Tribe: Myrmeciini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Southeasternparts of Australia
Habitate:dry Sclerophyllforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 13 - 15mm Colour: black, mandibles and antennae brown, legs reddish-yellow, yellow hairs on gaster
Worker:Size: 10 - 12mm Colour: black, mandibles and antennae brown, legs reddish-yellow, yellow hairs on gaster
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 10,5mm Colour: colour as in worker
Nutrion:Honeywater, Insects( Houseflies, Crickets), Fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:No, but often endogenous diapause from June to September
Nestform:Soil nests under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam, humus Arena: Sand-loam, humus
Planting:similar to sclerophyll Forest and dry woodland
Decoration:stones, Leaf litter, Twigs,
Description:This is a small Myrmecia from the eastpart of Australia. The have a cryptic lifecycle and most of there biology still needs to be solved. There nest are often hidden under bigstones and they leave the nest in the evening. The Toxin of this ant is very similar to our native wasps and can cause allergic reactions. The pain last only for a short time between 15 to 30 minutes.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: semiclaustral
colonysize: small colonies with rarely more than 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Myrmecia fulvipes
- Myrmecia mandibularis :
Latin Name:Myrmecia mandibularis
Trivialname:Toothless Bullant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmeciinae Tribe: Myrmeciini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Southwest and Southeasternparts of Australia
Habitate:dry Sclerophyllforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 15 - 15,5mm Colour: shining black, Gaster with ferruginous pubescence, bulky
Worker:Size: 12 - 15mm Colour: shing black, Gaster with ferruginous pubescence
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 11,5 - 12,5mm Colour: Colour as on the worker
Nutrion:Honeywater, Insects( Houseflies, Crickets), Fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:No
Nestform:Soil nests approximatly 30 - 60cm deep
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam, humus Arena: Sand-loam, humus
Planting:similar to sclerophyll Forest and dry woodland
Decoration:stones, Leaf litter, Twigs,
Description:This is a small Myrmecia from the more temperate parts of Australia. Like in many other Myrmeciaspecies the lifestyle of these ants is still unknown and need more research. There nests are often hidden under leaf litter or stones. They are active hunter and catch small flies and other Athropods. As part of the jumper- subgroup they are able to perform small jumps. The Toxin of this ant is very similar to our native wasps and can cause allergic reactions. As there toxin is more potent then in large bullants the can also last for a few hours.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: semiclaustral
colonysize: small colonies with rarely more than 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Myrmecia mandibular
- Myrmecia michaelseni :
Latin Name:Myrmecia michaelseni
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmeciinae Tribe: Myrmeciini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Southwest and Southeasternparts of Australia
Habitate:dry Sclerophyllforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 13,5 - 15mm Colour: black, mandibles, antennae and legs brown, gaster with golden pubescence
Worker:Size: 10 - 12mm Colour: black, mandibles, antennae and legs brown, gaster with golden pubescence
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:Honeywater, Insects( Houseflies, Crickets), Fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:No, but often endogenous diapause from June to September
Nestform:Soil nests under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam, humus Arena: Sand-loam, humus
Planting:similar to sclerophyll Forest and dry woodland
Decoration:stones, Leaf litter, Twigs,
Description:This is a small Myrmecia from the more temperate parts of Australia. Like in many other Myrmeciaspecies the lifestyle of these ants is still unknown and need more research. There nests are often hidden under bigstones. They are active hunter and catch small flies and other Athropods. The Toxin of this ant is very similar to our native wasps and can cause allergic reactions. The pain last only for a short time between 15 to 30 minutes.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: semiclaustral
colonysize: small colonies with rarely more than 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Myrmecia cf. michaelseni
- Myrmecia nigriceps :
Latin Name:Myrmecia nigriceps
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmeciinae Tribe: Myrmeciini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Australia
Habitate:dry Sclerophyllforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 24 - 26mm Colour: reddish to black
Worker:Size: 19 - 23mm Colour: Head and Gaster black, Thorax yellowish red ,slim
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 18 - 20mm Colour: head and Gaster black, Throax yellowish red
Nutrion:Honeywater, Insects( Houseflies, Crickets), Fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:No, but often endogenous diapause from June to September
Nestform:Soil nests at the base of trees, often as a small hill entrance
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: L - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:similar to sclerophyll Rainforest
Decoration:stones, Leaf litter, Twigs,
Description:This a big antspecie which can be found in mostly all suitable habitats. They build huge antmounts covered with twigs and plantmaterial. They are nocturnal foragers and leave the nest with sunset and stay outside the whole night collecting nectar and catching small insects on their tree. The Toxin of this ant is very similar to our native wasps and can cause allergic reactions. The pain last only for a short time between 15 to 30 minutes.
Development:matingflight: april - june
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
My Bull Dog Ant queen (Myrmecia nigriceps)
- Myrmecia nigrocincta :
Latin Name:Myrmecia nigrocincta
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmeciinae Tribe: Myrmeciini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:East Australia
Habitate:dry Sclerophyllforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 17 - 19mm Colour: Head and Gaster black, Thorax bicoloured yellowish red with black ,slim
Worker:Size: 13 - 15mm Colour: Head and Gaster black, Thorax bicoloured yellowish red with black ,slim
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 16 - 17mm Colour: Head and Gaster black, Thorax bicoloured yellowish red with black ,slim
Nutrion:Honeywater, Insects( Houseflies, Crickets), Fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:No, but often endogenous diapause from June to September
Nestform:Soil nests at the base of trees, often as a small hill entrance
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: L - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:similar to sclerophyll Rainforest
Decoration:stones, Leaf litter, Twigs,
Description:This a big antspecie which can be found in mostly all suitable habitats. They build huge antmounts covered with twigs and plantmaterial. They are nocturnal foragers and leave the nest with sunset and stay outside the whole night collecting nectar and catching small insects on their tree. The Toxin of this ant is very similar to our native wasps and can cause allergic reactions. The pain last only for a short time between 15 to 30 minutes.
Development:matingflight: april - june
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
Jumper Ant - Myrmecia nigrocincta
- Australia :
ANTS Species :
Below is a review for ants availble for hobbyists based on www.antstore.net and videos , photos from different sources ..
Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ... 1 - 2 - 3
Asia : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
Europe : - Central Europe : 1 - 2 - 3