- Myrmecia pavida :
Latin Name:Myrmecia pavida
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmeciinae Tribe: Myrmeciini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention, Colonyfounding is extremely different
Distribution:Southern Australia
Habitate:Sclerophyllforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 25mm Colour: head and gaster black to darkbrown, thorax brown, mandibles and clypeus yellow to lightbrown
Worker:Size: 19 - 22mm Colour: head and gaster black to darkbrown,thorax brown mandibles and clypeus yellow to lightbrown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
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 often on forestedges with significant mount
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 grassland and dry eucalyptusforest
Decoration:stones, Leaf litter, Twigs
Description:This ant is only known from the southern parts of australia and can be found south of Perth and the southern coast. The are very active and large colonies can be very aggressive. They mainly collect nectar but catch also small insects on low vegetation. Like all Myrmecia they have a stinger which can inject a potent toxin which is very similar to that of our european yellowjacket wasp and can cause allergic reactions. Normaly the sting only cause short time pain approx. 15 - 30 min.
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:
- Myrmecia pilosula :
Latin Name:Myrmecia brevinoda- Same Care Sheet
Trivialname:Jack Jumper
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmeciinae Tribe: Myrmeciini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Australia
Habitate:Sclerophyllforest, open grassland
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 14 - 16mm Colour: greyish black, Mandibles, Legs and Antennae yellow
Worker:Size: 12 - 14mm Colour: greyish black, Mandibles, Legs and Antennae yellow
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 11 - 12mm 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:nest in open grassland or under Stones
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 small ant is commonly known as black jumper and causes many seriuos allergic reactions. They show interessting socialbehavior like socialgrooming or tandem running. They are very aggressive and attack everything that`s near the nest. There colonies can be very large with a few thousand workers.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: semiclaustral, budding
colonysize: a few thousand workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Small colony of Rhytidoponera metallica
Myrmecia pavida Kolonie.wmv
Jack Jumper Ants (Myrmecia pilosula) - Tasmania's Killer Ant!
jack jumper ant (Myrmecia pilosula)
- Myrmecia vindex :
Latin Name:Myrmecia vindex
Trivialname:Sergantant, Inchant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmeciinae Tribe: Myrmeciini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Western and southern Australia
Habitate:dry sclerophyll, open grassland
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 23 - 27mm Colour: Mandibles yellow with brown teeth, Head varies from reddish yellow to black almost concolorous with thorax, Gaster black, slim
Worker:Size: 16 - 25mm Colour: Mandibles yellow with brown teeth, Head varies from reddish yellow to black almost concolorous with thorax, Gaster black, slim
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 15 - 18mm Colour: reddish brown, similar to worker but the first gastralsegment reddish-yellow
Nutrion:honeywater and insects like crickets, houseflies, mealworms, also fruits
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:light hibernation with 15 to 18 °C
Nestform:nest in soil with a huge mount covered with twigs, seeds and pebbles
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 xerophyticwoodland and grassland
Decoration:stones, Leaf litter, Twigs,
Description:Myrmecia vindex is the most common Myrmeciaspecie in Western and Southern Australia. They can be found in urban gardens but also in the bush. It`s often wrongly identified as Myrmecia pavida. They are very active and show diurnal and nocturnal activity. They are active foragers collecting Nectar and insects.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: semiclaustral development: Egg to larvae ca. 2 weeks, Larvae to Pupae 2 - 3 weeks, Pupae to worker approx. 5 weeks
colonysize: a few hundred workers mainly between 300 and 400
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Myrmecia vindex foraging
- Ochetellus glaber :
Latin Name:Ochetellus glaber
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Dolichoderinae Tribe: Leptomyrmicini
Keeping Level:(2) show a fast colonydevelopment and needs a good escapeprevention
Distribution:West and Eastaustralia
Habitat:open forest, dry sclerophyll
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 7mm Colour: black, Gaster with greyish pubescence
Worker:Size: 2 - 4mm Colour: black, gaster light purple shimmer
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 1,6mm Colour: black, slim
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:no
Nestform:Build their nest in open places under stones and rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
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 in the coastregions of australia and especialy in the summer they are well know as houseants. This polygyne ants make huge colonies with many brood. The nest often look like full of rice. They are very fragile and react very sensitive on climate changes.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to 20.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:- Forum
- Reference
Ochetellus Glaber
- Oecophylla smaragdina (austral. weaver ants) :
Latin Name:Oecophylla smaragdina
Trivialname:Green tree ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Oecophyllini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:North to Northeast Australia
Habitate:tropical Rainforest
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 20 - 22mm Colour: yellowish green to green, bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 8 - 12mm Colour: Head and Gaster green to greenish brown, slim
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 7mm Colour: reddish brown
Nutrion:honeywater, insects like crickets, Houseflies also fruits e.g Grapes
Airhumidity:Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 70 - 90%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:silknests in the Canopy of there Hostplant
Kind of Formicaria:
Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: L - XL depending of the chosen hostplant
Substrate:Farm: - Arena: Sand-loam, Humus suitable for Hostplant
Planting:similar to tropicalforest with moss and e. g. Money tree (Pachira aquatica), Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamini), Coffee (Coffea arabica), Citrusplant (Citrus spec.)
Decoration:Branches, Cork, Moss
Description:This antspecie lives in the canopy of different Plants. There they build nests with the silk of the larvae. The worker often build long chains between the leaves and "weave" with the silk. Through the Transpiration of the leaves there is always the right condtion inside the nest. Oecophylla is very aggressive and defend there territory against any Intruder. In asia they were used as biological agent for hundreds of years. They are searching for on the tree and on the ground. Together with the leafcutterants they show one of the most complex communication system in all socialinsects. It contains of pheromones, tactile and optical communication. If there a lack of food or other unsuitabel conditions they often try to escape. Large colonies with there hundreds of bites and formicacid can also defend large Intruders (Keeper).
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral
colonysize: up a few hundred thousand workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
06 06 2015 Oecophylla smaragdina (polygyne)
- Polyrhachis ammon :
Latin Name:Polyrhachis ammon
Trivialname:Golden- tailed Spiny Ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) suitable for beginners
Distribution:eastern coast from queensland down to victoria, also in centralaustralia
Habitat:open eucalyptus forest, urban areas, woodlands
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11mm Colour: body black, Thorax and Petiolus with long spines, Gaster with golden hairs
Worker:Size: 8 - 9mm Colour: body black, Thorax and Petiolous with long spines, Gaster with golden hairs
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 shurbs and trees, under Stones
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 ants in the eastpart of australia. They can be found in open forest and urbanareas.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to 400 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Polyrhachis ammon
- Rhytidoponera metallica :
Latin Name:Rhytidoponera metallica
Trivialname:
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ectatomminae Tribe: Ectatommini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:East Australia, Tasmania
Habitate:Sclerophyllforest
Colonyform:monogyne also polygyne
Queen:Size: 8mm Colour: purple metallic
Worker:Size: 4 - 4,5mm Colour: purple metallic, slim
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: similar to workers
Nutrion:honeywater, insects (caterpillars, mealworms, small fruit flies, small crickets and Spring tails), Fruits, seeds with fatbodys like viola spec. .
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 60% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Nest in soil, often under Stones and rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, 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:These is a small very common Rhytidoponera from eastaustralia. They are not able to climb on smooth surfaces like glass. The genus Rhytidoponera is important for the dispersal of many seeds and the resulting vegetation. After the death of the queen workers are often able to mate and produce new workers on there own. Worker can then often be seen fighting and a appoint the dominant worker.
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
- Rhytidoponera victoriae :
Latin Name:Rhytidoponera victoriae
Trivialname:
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ectatomminae Tribe: Ectatommini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:East Australia, Tasmania
Habitate:Sclerophyllforest
Colonyform:monogyne also polygyne
Queen:Size: 8mm Colour: purple metallic
Worker:Size: 4 - 4,5mm Colour: purple metallic, slim
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: similar to workers
Nutrion:honeywater, insects (caterpillars, mealworms, small fruit flies, small crickets and Spring tails), Fruits, seeds with fatbodys like viola spec. .
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 60% Nestpart: 50 - 80%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Nest in soil, often under Stones and rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, 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:These is a small very common Rhytidoponera from eastaustralia. They are not able to climb on smooth surfaces like glass. The genus Rhytidoponera is important for the dispersal of many seeds and the resulting vegetation. After the death of the queen workers are often able to mate and produce new workers on there own. Worker can then often be seen fighting and a appoint the dominant worker.
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
Rhytidoponera sp. (Metallic Ant)
Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ... 1 - 2 - 3
Asia : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
Europe : - Central Europe : 1 - 2 - 3