- Lasius niger (Black Garden Ant):
Latin Name:Lasius (Lasius s. str.) niger
Trivialname:Black Garden Ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae, Tribe: Lasiini
Keeping Level:(1) very easy in keeping
Distribution:all above Europe, Northafrica, moderate climate asia, Northamerica
Habitat:prefers sunexposed openland, often on ruralareas and in anthropogenic disturbed land
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 9mm Colour: black; light brown shimmer
Worker:Size: 3 - 5mm Colour: black with light brown shimmer
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 3,5 - 4,5mm Colour: black , slim
Nutrition: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 soil, under stones,
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 forest- and sand areas, moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels, stones
Description:Very tough and well-fortified Ants, which will grow to a great colony by good support. Within 3 years they can reach a population up to 10.000 workers. In nature they cultivate sap insects on roses, elder, red-/black-currant and so on.
Development:matingflight: on warm days mid - may to the end of june at 22 - 28°C
founding: claustral (without feeding)
from Egg to adult worker approx. 6 - 8 Weeks (Egg to Larvae: approx. 10 -12 days, Larvae to Pupae: approx. 10 -14 days, Pupae to worker :approx. 10 - 24 days, depending on temperature).
The maintime of activity is between april to october.The lifespan of the queen can be up to 15 years (still not completly clear) .
colonysize: up to 40.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Europe :
ANTS Species :
Below is a review for ants availble for hobbyists based on www.antstore.net and videos , photos from different sources ..
My black garden ant colony (Lasius Niger)
- Camponotus ligniperdus :
Latin Name:Camponotus ligniperdus
Synonyms: Camponotus ligniperda
Trivialname:brown black carpenter ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers / is very inactiv
Distribution:Central Europe (everywhere in Germany on sunny locations)
Habitatprefers mixed woodland with a high part of spruces, also in xeric- and halfxeric grassland
Colonyform:monogyne, rarely oligogyne
Queen:Size: 14 - 16 mm Color: black; chest: partly red colored like the abdomen
Worker:Size: 6 - 13 mm Color: red-black; chest: partly red colored like the abdomen, extremely polymorph( Minor-, Media- and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 8 - 12 mm 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 nests under wood with big underground areas; only ground nests
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, Cork, softwood Arena: Sand/Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forest- and Mountainsarea with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:Camponotus belongs to the biggest ants in Europe. Very inactiv and fortified! They attack human beings only in case of nest disturbance. Shows activity by day and night (diurnal and nocturnal). They build nests preferably under wood or stones. A radiant heater should heat a stone or a part of the antfarm from time to time.
Development:matingflight: on warm days mid - may to the end of june at 22 - 28°C ,
founding: claustral (without feeding) but also Pleometrosis or Adoptions are possible.
from Egg to adult worker approx. 8 - 10 Weeks (Egg to Larvae: approx. 10 - 16 days, Larvae to Pupae: approx. 10 - 14 days, Pupae to worker :approx. 10 - 24 days, depending on temperature).
The main time of activity is between april to september.The lifespan of the queen can be up to 15 years (still not completely clear) .
colony size: up to 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
Camponotus ligniperdus
- Camponotus ligniperdus :
Latin Name:Formica (Serviformica) rufibarbis
Trivialname:Red-barbed Slaveant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Keeping Level:(1) however in small basins they make easily use of their formicacid
Distribiution:all above europe
Habitate:extremely thermophil, prefers sandy areas (e.g riverbeds, Forestedges), dry Grassland
Colonyform:monogyn and polygyn
Queen:Size: 9 - 10 mm Colour: Head and Gaster black, Thorax red
Worker:Size: 4 - 7,5 mm Colour: Head and Gaster black, Thorax red
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 9 - 10 mm Colour: black
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
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 or under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M
Substrate:Farm: Sand - Loam Arena: Sand - Loam
Planting:like grassland
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:Formica rufibarbis is a aggressive Antspecie that are also able to pretend themselves against sozialparasites like Raptifomica sanguinea or Polyergus rufescens
Development:matingflight: on warm days mid - may to the end of june at 22 - 28°C ,
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 1.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Tetramorium caespitum :
Latin Name:Tetramorium caespitum
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Tetramoriini
Keeping Level:(1) suitable for beginners, but good escape prevention necessary
Distribution:Europe to Westsibira
Habitate:prefers xerothermic openland, sunexposed Forestedges, in urbanareas on sealed spaces, often as houseant
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 6 - 8mm Colour: brown- black
Worker:Size: 2 - 4mm Colour: brown- black
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
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Loam
Planting:like grassland
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels, Stones
Description:aggressive ants which show high activity during warmdays. This specie is an important host 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:
Formica Serviformica rufibarbis
Tetramorium caespitum
- Tapinoma erraticum :
Latin Name:Tapinoma erraticum
Trivialname:Erratic Ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Dolichoderinae Tribe: Dolichoderini
Keeping Level:(2) need a good escape prevention
Distribiution:Central and Southeurope, Centralasia
Habitate:prefers xerothermic grassland and ruralareas
Colonyform:monogyne and polygyne
Queen:Size: 4,5 - 5mm Colour: black
Worker:Size: 2 - 4mm Colour: black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4 - 4,5mm Colour: black, slim
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of October until end of March 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, Stones
Description:Very aggressiv antspecie which dominates most areas through there for other ants toxic secretion of there analgland
Development:matingflight: may to june
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
Tapinoma erraticum
- Myrmica rubra :
Latin Name:Myrmica rubra
Trivialname:European Fireant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Myrmicini
Keeping Level:(1) easy to keep , they have a potent sting like a stinging - neetle
Distribiution:Greatbritain to Central asia, since the 18th century also in Northamerica
Habitate:prefers moist places like grassland or open forest, avoids open spaces without vegetation
Colonyform:polygyn
Queen:Size: 5 - 7,5mm Colour: crimson (dark red)
Worker:Size: 4 - 6mm Colour: crimson (dark red) till brownorange, Gaster shiny
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4 - 5 mm Colour: black , slim
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C
Nestform:Nests in soil, in rotten wood and under stones
Kind of Formicaria:Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-loam, mould, wood
Planting:similar to Forestareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:The colony is tough, well-fortified that, active and a bit aggressive, low maintanance ants. They can prick you, when they felt under pressure (similary like stinging-nettle). Prefer a highly moistened nests.
Development:matingflight: on warm days from august to september
founding: semiclaustral (queen collects food)
from egg to adult worker approx. 6 weeks (depending on temperature).
colonysize: up to 20 000 indivudals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Myrmica Rubra (Great Beginner Ants) Ep2
- Myrmica sabuleti :
Latin Name:Myrmica sabuleti
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Myrmicini
Keeping Level:(1) easy to keep , they have a potent sting like a stinging - nettle
Distribution:Europe to moderate asia
Habitate:prefers xerothermic grassland
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 5- 7mm Colour: crimson (dark red)
Worker:Size: 4 - 5mm Colour: crimson (dark red) tillbrown-orangee
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 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 end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C
Nestform:Nests in soil, often under stones
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 grassland with moss and grass
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones
Description:Myrmica sabuleti is not as aggressiv as Myrmica rubra. They are the mainhost for the caterpillars of Phengaris arion which is a sozialparasite in ants.
Development:matingflight: on warm days from july to august
founding: semiclaustral (queen collects food) or through adoption
from Egg to adult worker approx. 10 - 12 Weeks (depending on temperature).
colony size: most times not more than 1000 individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
CENTRAL EUROPE :
Myrmica sabuleti
- Lasius platythorax :
Latin Name:Lasius (Lasius s. str.) platythorax
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Lasiini
Keeping Level:(1) very easy in keeping
Distribiution:only known from europe, but there need to be more studies about the the distribution of Lasius platythorax
Habitate:prefers all kinds of woodland and is mostly absent from anthropogenic disturbed areas
Colonyform:monogyn
Queen:Size: 9 mm Colour: black; light yellowish brown shimmer
Worker:Size: 3 - 5 mm Colour: black with light yellowish brown shimmer
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 3,5 - 5 mm Colour: black , slim
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 40 - 60% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
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 organic material like dead wood, sometimes strengthen with fungi like Lasius fuliginosus
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- and Sandareas moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels, Stones
Description:Very tough and well-fortified Ants, which will grow to a great colony by good support. With in 3 years they can reach a population up to 10.000 workers. In nature they cultivate Sap- insects on roses, elder, red-/black-currant and so on.
Development:matingflight: on warm days mid - june to the begin of august
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: more than 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Lasius cf. playtythorax with black fly
Formica (Serviformica) cinerea :
Latin Name:Formica ( Serviformica) cinerea
Trivialname:Ashgrey Slaveant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Keeping Level:(1) however in small basins they make easily use of formic acid
Distribution:all above Europe
Habitat:extremely thermophil, prefers sandy areas (e.g riverbeds, Forestedges)
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 12 mm Colour: black - grey, silver shine
Worker:Size: 6 - 8 mm Colour: black - grey,silver shine
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour:
Nutrition: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 soil or under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M
Substrate:Farm: Sand - Loam Arena: Sand - Loam
Planting:like grassland
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:Formica cinerea is a very aggressive ant. As a adaption to their open range habitat they use visual orientation. They overwhelm and transport large prey in small cooperating groups.
Development:matingflight: on warm days mid - may to the end of june at 22 - 28°C ,
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
Techno-Ants Queen Removal (formica (Serviformica) cinerea
- Formica (Serviformica) fusca :
Latin Name:Formica (Serviformica) fusca
Trivialname:Grey-black slaveant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Keeping Level:(1) easy to keep, just in too small basins they could be using too much formicacid if gettin stressed
Distribution:all above Europe, Northamerica
Habitat:prefers open xeric and halfxeric grassland, avoids closed areas
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: approx. 12mm Colour: shiny black
Worker:Size: 4 - 8 mm Colour: shiny black, yellowish legs
Soldier:not present
Males:-
Nutrition: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:mainly soil, sometimes also in dead wood
Kind of Formicaria:Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Grassland with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:Serviformica fusca is often be found in open xeric and halfxeric Grassland habitats. They avoid aggressive conflicts with other antspecies.
Through their fast movements they have a effictive recruitment for short-time feeding recources. Serviformica fusca is often a slaveant for Raptiformica sanguinea and Polyergus rufescens. Very easy to keep, it is known as ideal beginner species.
Development:matingflight: on warm days end of june to the mid of august (often in the late afternoon),
founding: claustral (without feeding) but also Pleometrosis or Adoptions are possible.
from Egg to adult worker approx.4 - 6 Weeks (depending on temperature).
colonysize: approx. 500 to 2.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Formica Fusca - ants explore their surroundings
- Temnothorax nylanderi :
Latin Name:Temnothorax nylanderi
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Formicoxenini
Keeping Level:(1) suitable for beginners
Distribution:west from Schwerin- Magdeburg- Halle- Leipzig
Habitate:prefers mixed Forest, moderate moisture
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 3,5 - 4,7 mm Colour: like worker, Gaster darkbrown
Worker:Size: 2,3 - 3,5 mm Colour: yellow to yellowish brown, Gaster darkbrown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 2,5 - 3,5 mm Colour: like the queen
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
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, Humus, Wood
Planting:not necessary
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels, Acorns
Description:extremly small and interesting ants. The colony mostly contains not more than about 200 workers. One colony often fits into an acorn. Very active and nice to look at. Avoids conflicts with other ants, e.g. they can be kept with other bigger species in one formicarium. Attention: Temnothorax directly lives on the ground. Therefore the colony needs daily temperature changes. It is important to simulate realistic temperature changes of day and night as well as summer and winter. Temnothorax is resitant against cold temperatures. They can easily be kept and hibernate outside.
Development:matingflight: on warm evenings mid - july to the middle of september
founding: claustral (without feeding) but also Pleometrosis or Adoptions are possible.
colonysize: rarely up to 100 workers up to 19 years
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Temnothorax nylanderi colony
- Lasius (Chthonolasius) mixtus:
Latin Name:Lasius (Chthonolasius ) mixtus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Lasiini
Keeping Level:(1) socialparasitic ant which needs her host Lasius flavus for founding
Distribiution:all above Europe, moderate Asia
Habitate:prefers sunexposed grassland
Colonyform:oligogyn
Queen:Size: 6 - 6,5mm Colour: yellow, brown
Worker:Size: 3,5 - 4,5mm Colour: yellow, yellowish brown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4 - 5mm Colour: black, slim
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
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, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to grasslandareas moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels, Stones
Description:Lasius mixtus founds socialparasitic in Lasius flavus. Like their host they are a complete subterrainean antspecie with a strong preference on carbonhydrates
Development:matingflight: on warm days july to october
founding: socialparasitic with Lasius flavus as host
colonysize: -
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Camponotus herculeanus :
Latin Name:Camponotus herculeanus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colony size of at least 10 workers
Distribution:Centraleurope mainly above 300m
Habitat:prefers mixed woodland with a part of spruces also in xeric and halfxeric grassland partly with shrubs
Colonyform:monogyne, rarely oligogyne
Queen:Size: 14 - 16mm Colour: black; chest: brown
Worker:Size: 6 - 13mm Colour: red-black; chest: brown, extremely polymorph( Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 8 - 12mm 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 under wood with large underground areas
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
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, Stones
Description:Camponotus herculeanus is one of the biggest ant species in Europe. Very inactiv and tough! They attack only in case of nest disturbance. Shows activity by day and night .They build their nests preferably underneath wood or stones. A radiant heater should heat a stone or an angle of the antfarm from time to time.
Development:matingflight: on warm days mid - may to the end of june at 22 - 28°C
founding: claustral (without feeding) but also Pleometrosis or Adoptions are possible.
from Egg to adult worker approx. 8 - 10 Weeks (Egg to Larvae: approx. 10 -16 days, Larvae to Pupae: approx. 10 -14 days, Pupae to worker :approx. 10 - 24 days, depending on temperature).
The main time of activity is between april to september.The lifespan of the queen can be up to 15 years (still not completely clear) .
colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Life inside the colony - Camponotus herculeanus
- Myrmica ruginodis :
Latin Name:Myrmica ruginodis
Trivialname:European Fireant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Myrmicini
Keeping Level:(1) easy to keep , they have a potent sting like a stinging - neetle
Distribiution:Greatbritain to Central asia, since the 18th century also in Northamerica
Habitate:prefers moist places like grassland or open forestsimilar to Myrmica rubra but through competition often in cooler forests
Colonyform:Macrogyne = monogyn Microgyne = polygyn
Queen:Size: 6 - 8mm Colour: crimson (dark red)
Worker:Size: 4 - 7mm Colour: crimson (dark red) till brownorange
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4 - 6mm Colour: black , slim
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C
Nestform:Nests in soil, in rotten wood and under stones or in moss
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 Forestareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:The colony is tough, well-fortified that, active and a bit aggressive, low maintanance ants. They can prick you, when they felt under pressure (similary like stinging-nettle)
Development:matingflight: on warm days from august to september between 15:00 and 22:00 o`clock
founding: semiclaustral (queen collects food) or through adoption
from Egg to adult worker approx. 6 Weeks (depending on temperature).
colonysize:a few 1000 individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Myrmica ruginodis
Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ... 1 - 2 - 3
Asia : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
Europe : - Central Europe : 1 - 2 - 3