- Messor bouvieri :
Latin Name:Messor bouvieri
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(1) Species from Southern Europe with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:Southern Europe, North Africa
Habitat:Sand and shrub areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 15 - 18mm Colour: shiny black
Worker:Size: 3 - 14mm Colour: shiny black, polymorph
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 7 - 8mm Colour: black
NutritionMostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass) and also insects
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 25 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 26°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of November until end of February at 15°C
Nestform:Build their nest in soil and under stones
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 chew them to so- called antbread. Most of their waterrequirements are covered by seeds and insects. Honeywater is only accepted when there is a lack of moisture. Messor bouvieri tends to drown in open water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton.
Development:matingflight: autuum
founding: claustral (without feeding) colonyage 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:
Mesor bouvieri
- Camponotus micans :
Latin Name:Camponotus micans
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with higer requirements towards climate
Distribution:Southeurope
Habitat:open Grassland, sometimes under stones
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11 - 12mm Colour: black with yellow hairs
Worker:Size: 7 - 10mm Colour: black with yellow hairs, polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: black , slim
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°C
Hibernation:no, queen has a endogenic biorhythm so reducing the temperature from end of november to the begin of february to 18°C can be useful
Nestform:Build their nest in soil
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 with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:Camponotus micans is a small ant from southeurope which prefers dry land and shows higher activity at temperatures beyond 25°C
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Camponotus micans versus Pheidola pallidula
- Camponotus lateralis :
Latin Name:Camponotus lateralis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers
Distribution:Southeurope
Habitat:open forests- and forestedges, sometimes under stones
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 8,5 - 10mm Colour: shiny black with a red head
Worker:Size: 4 - 7mm Colour: shiny black with a red head, polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 5 - 7mm Colour: black , slim
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C (has an endogenic Biorhythm)
Nestform:Build their nest in dead wood, dry branches
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Cork, Softwood Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forest- and Mountainareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:Camponotus lateralis is an arboreal antspecies from Southeurope. The majorworkers are often used as foodstorage. They live mainly in deadwood and are often found in a parabiotic connection with Crematogaster scutellaris.
Development:matingflight: on warm days from May to April
founding: claustral (without feeding) , Colonylifespan 5 - 8 years
colonysize: small colonies with mostly not more than 50 to 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Camponotus lateralis: Exposure to light
- Crematogaster auberti :
Latin Name :Crematogaster auberti
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Crematogastrini
Haltungsklasse:(2) specie from mediterranean climate
Distribiution:Southeurope, Northafrica
Habitate:meadows and forests
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 8,5 - 9,5mm Colour: black
Worker:Size: 3,2 - 3,8mm Colour: reddish brown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4- 4,2mm Colour: Head and Thorax blackish brown, Gaster brown
Nutrition:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
rel. AirhumidityArena: 40 - 60% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, for 1 to 2 month at 15 - 18°C
Nestform:Soil-dwelling, partly in dead wood and branches
Kind of FormicariaFarm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
FormicariasizeSize: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Cork, softwood Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:xerothermic plants
Decoration:Branches, roots, stones
Description:Theyse species builds papernests in dead wood and are a very important pollinater for different plants in Spain.
Development:matingflight: July until the end of October
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Crematogaster auberti
- Camponotus gestroi :
Latin Name:Camponotus gestroi
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) through their origin higer requirments towards climate
Distribution:Southeurope over Northafrica to Middle East
Habitat:dry grassland and on lime stone
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 9 - 10mm Colour: shiny black, Antenna and Legs red
Worker:Size: 3 - 7mm Colour: shiny black, Antenna and Legs red, extremely polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: black, slim
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, from dezember to February at 15°C
Nestform:Build their nest in soil
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 forest- and mountainareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:branches, roots, treeneedels
Description:Camponotus aethiops is a very xerothermic ant from Southeurope. It is at many places on the "Red List".
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
Camponotus gestroi
- Aphaenogaster spec. :
Latin Name:Aphaenogaster spec.
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(2) Species from Southern Europe with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:Southspain and Portugal
Habitat:prefers closed forests and avoids aride areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 7mm Colour: black, Gaster yellow
Worker:Size: 6 - 7mm Colour: black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionInsects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of November until end of February at 15°C
Nestform:Build their nest in soil often under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, Humus Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forestareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:-
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 spec.
- Solenopsis fugax :
Latin Name:Solenopsis fugax
Trivialname:Thiefant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Solenopsidini
Keeping Level:(1) Species from Southern Europe with higher requirements towards food and climate as well as escape prevention
Distribution:Southern Europe, Southern European Peninsula, North Africa
Habitat:Sand- and shrub areas
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 6 - 6,5mm Colour: blackish brown
Worker:Size: 1,5 - 3mm Colour: yellow to brownish yellow
Soldier:
Males:Size: 4 - 4,8mm Colour: black
NutritionHoneywater, insects
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 25 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of November until end of February at 15°C
Nestform:Build their nest in soil and under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest, Acrylflatfarm
Formicaria size:Size: S
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Savanahareas with grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels, Stones
Description:This species is one of the smallest ants in Germany. In their natural environment they collect brood from other ants. They are often associated with their host ants e.g. Lasius spec. or Serviformica spec. .
Development:matingflight: August - October
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to 100.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Solenopsis fugax: Nest view
- Tapinoma nigerrimum :
Latin Name:Tapinoma nigerrimum
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Dolichoderinae Tribe: Dolichoderini
Keeping Level:(2) needs a good escape prevention, known as invasive species in some regions
Distribiution:South Europe, Central Asia
Habitate:prefers xerothermic grasslands and ruralareas
Colonyform:monogyne and polygyne
Queen:Size: 5 - 6mm Colour: black
Worker:Size: 3 - 5mm Colour: black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4 - 4,5mm Colour: black, slim
Nutrion:Honeywater and 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:yes, from December until end of February at 5 - 8°C
Nestform:Nests in soil, between vegetation
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-loam Arena: Sand, sand-loam, mould, wood
Planting:similar to grassland with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, roots, treeneedles
Description:Very aggressiv ant species which dominates most areas by its for other ants toxic secretion which comes out of its anal gland
Development:matingflight: april - may
founding: claustral
colonysize:a few 1000 individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
My Tapinoma Nigerrimum Get There First Outworld
- Tetramorium semilaeve:
Latin Name:Tetramorium semilaeve
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Tetramoriini
Keeping Level:(1) suitable for beginners, but a good working escape prevention is necessary
Distribution:Europe, North Africa, Mediterranean Asia
Habitate:prefers xerothermic openland, sunexposed forestedges, in urbanareas on sealed spaces, often as houseant
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 6 - 8mm Colour: reddish brown
Worker:Size: 2 - 4mm Colour: reddish brown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 5 - 7mm Colour: black
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like flies or mosquitos, seeds
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C
Nestform:Build their nest in soil, under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylflatformicaria, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Loam
Planting:like grasslands
Decoration:Branches, roots, treeneedels, stones
Description:This is an aggressive ants species which shows a high activity at warm days. This species is an important host ant for Strongylognathus testaceus and Anergates astratulus.
Development:matingflight: from July to August
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to 10,000 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Tetramorium semilaeve
- Colobobsis truncatus :
Latin Name:Colobobsis truncatus (ehem. Camponotus truncatus)
Trivialname:Doorkepper Ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(2) arboreal specie with higer requirements towards climate
Distribution:Eurasia
Habitat:deadwood, open Forest and singletrees
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 6 - 7mm Colour: Head flat red, similar to worker
Worker:Size: 7 - 10mm Colour: Head and thorax red, Gaster black with yellow dots, polymorph
Soldier:flat dark- red head, Thorax red, Gaster black with yellow dots
Males:Size: 4 - 5mm Colour: black , slim
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes October to march at 5 to 8°C
Nestform:Build their nest in dead wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Cork, Wood Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to meadowareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:branches, roots, treeneedels
Description:This type is also called "Doorkeeper ant", and is one of the smaller, more inconspicuous Camponotus species.
It has a conspicuous "Castedimorphism": In addition to ordinary workers, there is a specialized "doorkeeper ant", the narrow nest entrances obstruct colony associated ants can pass it, but for foreign ants and insects it is an impassable barrier these "bouncers" have a conspicuously flattened head, which acts like a wedge.
Development:matingflight: June to August
founding: claustral (without feeding) Queen uses the hallways of other xylobiontic Insects.
colonysize: a few 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Temnothorax cf. exilis :
Latin Name:Temnothorax cf. exilis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Formicoxenini
Keeping Level:(1) suitable for beginners
Distribiution:Southern Europe
Habitate:cork, galls, acorns and sticks
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 4 - 5 mm Colour: reddish brown, gaster darker
Worker:Size: 2 - 4 mm Colour: yellowish brown to reddish brown, gaster darker
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 2,5 - 3,5 mm Colour: like the queen
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. dipterans like flies or mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C
Nestform:Build their nest in acorns, sticks, under bark or galls
Kind of Formicaria:
acrylflatnest, plaster
Formicaria size:Size: S
Substrate:Farm: Cork, lightwood Arena: Sand-loam
Planting:not necessary
Decoration:Branches, roots, treeneedels, acorns
Description:Temnothorax is a peaceful ant genus that dodges to the ground when they get in contact with other ants. It is no problem to keep Temnothorax with other ants like genus Camponotus.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding) but also pleometrosis or adoptions are possible.
colonysize: rarely up to 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Temnothorax cf. exilis
- Camponotus piceus :
Latin Name:Camponotus piceus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers
Distribution:Centraleurope, Southern Europe
Habitat:Xerothermous open habitats
Colonyform:monogyne, rarely oligogyne
Queen:Size: 7 - 9mm Colour: shiny black; chest: brown
Worker:Size: 4 - 7mm Colour: shiny black, legs reddish
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: black , slim
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like flies or mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C (has an endogenic biorhythm)
Nestform:Build their nest soil
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Cork, Softwood Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to forest- and mountainareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, roots, treeneedels
Description:Camponotus piceus is a very rare ant and shy towards other ants. Through the proceeding loss of livingground they are on the German "Red List".
Development:matingflight: on warm days end of April to the beginning of July
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: small colonies with 100 to 200 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Camponotus piceus
- Temnothorax spec. from Spain :
Latin Name:Temnothorax spec. from Spain
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Formicoxenini
Keeping Level:(1) suitable for beginners
Distribiution:Southeurope ( Northspain)
Habitate:prefers mixed Forest but can also often be found in dry pineforests
Colonyform:monogyne, during summer more than 50% queenless
Queen:Size: 4 - 5 mm Colour: red brownish, Gaster more darkly
Worker:Size: 2 - 4 mm Colour: red brownish, Gaster more darkly
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 2,5 - 3,5 mm Colour: like the queen
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like flies or mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C
Nestform:Build their nest in acorns, sticks, under bark or galls
Kind of Formicaria:
acrylflatnest, plaster
Formicaria size:Size: S
Substrate:Farm: Cork, lightwood Arena: -
Planting:not necessary
Decoration:Branches, roots, treeneedels, acorns or galls
Description:Extremly small and interesting ants. One colony often fits into an acorn. Very active and nice to look at. Avoids conflicts with other ants. It is possible to keep them with other larger species in one formicarium.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: rarely up to 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Temnothorax spec. in the nest inspection with tandem moving
- Cataglyphis hispanicus :
Latin Name :Cataglyphis hispanicus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Haltungsklasse:(2) fast development which makes it nessecary to enlarge the space
Distribiution:Southeurope, Northafrica
Habitate:sunexposed Sandareas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 18 - 22mm Colour: grey - black
Worker:Size: 5 - 15mm Colour: grey - black
Soldier:not present
Males:-
Nutrition:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
rel. AirhumidityArena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, for 1 to 2 month at 15 - 18°C
Nestform:Build their nest in soil
Kind of Formicaria
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
FormicariasizeSize: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand- Loam Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:xerophytic plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones
Description:Cataglyphis hispanicus is a aggressiv fast moving ant. Very similar to Catagylphis viaticus. They have a very good visual orientation.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Cataglyphis hispanicus
- Camponotus dalmaticus
Latin Name:Camponotus dalmaticus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers
Distribution:Southeurope
Habitat:open Forests and Forestedges, sometimes under stones
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 8,5 - 10mm Colour: shiny black with a red to black head
Worker:Size: 4 - 6mm Colour: shiny black with a red to black head, polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 5 - 7mm Colour: black , slim
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, reducing the temperature for approx. 3 month to 15 - 18°C (has an endogenic Biorhythm)
Nestform:Build their nest in dead wood, dry branches
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Kork, Weichholz Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forest- and Mountainareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:Camponotus dalmaticus is an arboreal living antspecies from southeurope. The majorworkers are often used as foodstorage. The live mainly in deadwood and can often be found in a parabiotic connection withCrematogaster scutellaris.
Development:matingflight: on warm days from May to April
founding: claustral (without feeding) , Colonylifespan 5 - 8 years
colonysize: small colonies with mostly not more than 50 to 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Camponotus dalmaticus
- Camponotus nylanderi :
Latin Name:Camponotus nylanderi
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with higer requirements towards climate
Distribution:Southeurope mainly Italy, Croatia but also in Marocco
Habitat:open grassland, sometimes under stones
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11 - 12mm Colour: head blackish brown, Thorax blackish brown, legs yellowish brown, bulky
Worker:Size: 5 - 6,5mm Colour: head blackish brown, Thorax yellowish brown to blackish brown, polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: black, slim
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of to november to the end of february at 15 - 18°C (unheated room)
Nestform:Build their nest in soil
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 with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:branches, roots, treeneedels
Description:Camponotus nylanderi is a nocturnal antspecies which shows their activity maxima during the night. They are very aggressiv and defend there nest active against enemies and nest disturbance.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Camponotus nylanderi
- Cataglyphis nodus :
Latin Name :Cataglyphis nodus
Trivialname:Desert Ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Haltungsklasse:(2) fast development which make it nessecary to enlarge the space
Distribiution:Southeurope, Middleeast
Habitate:sunexposed sandareas, desert
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 11 - 12,8mm Colour: Head and Thorax red, Gaster black
Worker:Size: 5 - 12,7mm Colour: Head and Thorax red, Gaster black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: Dark brown, Mandibles and Antenna yellowish brown
Nutrition:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
rel. AirhumidityArena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, for 1 to 2 month at 15 - 18°C
Nestform:Build their nest in soil
Kind of Formicaria
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
FormicariasizeSize: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand- Loam Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:xerophytic plants, Gras
Decoration:branches, roots, stones
Description:Cataglyphis nodus is an aggressiv fast moving ant. Very similar to Catagylphis viaticus. They have a very good visual orientation.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
13 - 04 - 2012 Cataglyphis nodus
- Messor meridionalis :
Latin Name:Messor meridionalis Synonyme: Messor cf. meridionale
Trivialname:
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(1) Species from Middle east with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:Southeurope, Central Asia and Middle East
Habitat:Sand and shrub areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11 - 12mm Colour: blackish brown
Worker:Size: 3 - 9mm Colour: blackish brown to reddish brown also bicolored variations possible
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: black
NutritionMostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass) but insects too
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 25 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 26°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of November until end of February at 15°C (unheated room)
Nestform:Build their nest in soil and under stones
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, stones
Description:This species is a highly granivor ant which collects all kinds of small seeds and chew them to so- called antbread. Most of their waterrequirements are covered through seeds and insects. Honeywater is only accepted when there is a lack of moisture. Messor meridonalis tends to drown in open water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton. It`s also often selled under the name Messor cf. meridionale.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding) colonyage up to 25 years
colonysize: a few 1.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Messor meridionalis
- Cataglyphis cursor :
Latin Name :Cataglyphis cursor
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Haltungsklasse:(2) fast development which makes it nessecary to enlarge the space
Distribiution:Southeurope, Middleeast
Habitate:sunexposed sandareas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 10mm Colour: reddish brown, gaster shiny black
Worker:Size: 3 - 8mm Colour: shiny black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 9 - 10mm Colour: shiny black
Nutrition:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like flies or mosquitos
rel. AirhumidityArena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, for 1 to 2 month at 15 - 18°C( unheated room)
Nestform:Build their nest in soil
Kind of Formicaria
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
FormicariasizeSize: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand- Loam Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:xerophytic plants
Decoration:branches, roots, stones
Description:Cataglyphis cf. cursor is an aggressiv fast moving ant. Very similar to Catagylphis viaticus. They have a very good visual orientation. Cataglyphis cursor is also well known for their rescue behavior to free trapped nestmates.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 100 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Camponotus pilicornis :
Latin Name:Camponotus pilicornis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers
Distribution:France, Gibraltar, Greece, Iberian Peninsula, Portugal, Spain
Habitat:open Forests and forestedges, sometimes under stones
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 16mm Colour: yellowish black, bulky
Worker:Size: 6 - 14mm Colour: yellowish brown, polymorph
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like flies or mosquitos, small crickets,
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes from october to march at 5 - 8°C ( cooler)
Nestform:Build their nest in soil and 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, Humus
Planting:similar to Forest- and Mountainareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:Beautiful and active ant from southeurope. they are very active and build up big colonies.
Development:matingflight: july
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 1000 individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
17/08/2014. Camponotus pilicornis
Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ... 1 - 2 - 3
Asia : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
Europe : - Central Europe : 1 - 2 - 3