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ANTS Species :

 

Below is a review for ants availble for hobbyists based on   www.antstore.net  and videos , photos from different sources .. 

  -  AFRICA : 

 - Camponotus vestitus :

Latin Name:Camponotus vestitus

Trivialname:-

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini

Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with higher requirements towards climate

Distribution:Africa

Habitat:open Grassland

Colonyform:monogyne

Queen:Size: ca. 12mm Colour: head and thorax reddish, gaster anthracite with golden gloss

Worker:Size: 4-8mm, (minor-, meda-, major workers) Colour: anthracite

Soldier:-

Males:Size: - Colour: 

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:

Nestform:Build their nest in soil, under stones

Kind of Formicaria:
Farm-arena, Combi, Basin,  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, 

Description:Camponotus vestitus is a widespread species from Southern Africa, with several subspecies. Granitic soils might be preferred in nature. In its appearance there are similarities with Anoplolepis custodiens. They seem to live in rather small colonies (exact quantity unknown)

Development:matingflight: 
founding:  claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: 

Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)

Weblinks:

 

 - Camponotus cosmicus :

Latin Name:Camponotus cosmicus

Trivialname:-

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini

Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with higher requirements towards climate

Distribution:Africa

Habitat:open Grassland

Colonyform:monogyne

Queen:Size: ca. 13mm Colour: black, gaster glossy golden

Worker:Size: minors 5mm, (minor-, meda-, major workers) Colour: black gaster glossy golden

Soldier:-

Males:Size: - Colour: 

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:no

Nestform:Build their nest in soil

Kind of Formicaria:
Farm-arena, Combi, Basin,  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 cosmicus is a Southern African species, especially the queen has a glossy golden gaster

Development:matingflight: 
founding:  claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: 

Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)

Weblinks:

 

 

 - Camponotus maculatus :

 

Latin Name:Camponotus maculatus

Trivialname:-

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini

Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers

Distribution:Africa, Greece, Middleeast

Habitat:prefers savanne and dry forest

Colonyform:monogyne, rarely oligogyne

Queen:Size: 15 - 18mm Colour: Head and Gaster black, Thorax yellow to reddishyellow, Gaster with yellow dots or stripes

Worker:Size: 8 - 16mm Colour: Head darkbrown to black; Thorax  yellow, Gaster black with yellow dots or stripes, extremely polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers) 

Soldier:not present

Males:Size: 8 - 11mm Colour: yellow to reddish yellow, slim

NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos

Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%

Temperature:Arena: 18 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C

Hibernation:no but has an endogenic Biorhythm which causes a Diapause 

Nestform:Build their nest in soil often under stones also under rotten wood

Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plasternest

Formicaria size:Size: M - L 

Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam

Planting:similar to Forest- and Savannaareas with moss, grass and other plants

Decoration:Branches, Roots, Leafes

Description:Camponotus maculatus is one of the largest ants in Africa and shows high activity outside the nest and during foraging. They are very aggressive against other ants and Nestdisturbance. There activity maxima lay in the evening and night.

Development:matingflight: on warm days March to April
founding:  claustral (without feeding) but also Pleometrosis or Adoptions are possible.
from Egg to adult worker approx. 6 - 8 Weeks (Egg to Larvae: approx. 10 -14 days, Larvae to Pupae: approx. 12 -17 days, Pupae to worker :approx. 21 - 30 days, depending on temperature).
The main time of activity is between april to september.The lifespan of the queen can be up to 29 years and more. 
colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals

Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)

Weblinks:-

 - Forum

- Reference

 

 

Lepisiota cf. capensis minuta :

 

Latin Name:Lepisiota cf. carpensis

Trivialname:-

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribus: 

Keeping Level:1-2

Distribution:Africa

Habitat:prefers savanne and grassland

Colonyform:monogyn

Queen:Size: ca. 5mm Colour: darkbrown-black

Worker:Size: 2-3mm Colour: black

Soldier:-

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: 23 - 26°C

Hibernation:

Nestform:Build their nest in soil, under stones often between shrubs

Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Ytong/Plaster

Formicaria size:Size: S 

Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam

Planting:similar to desert - and meadowareas moss, grass and other plants

Decoration:Branches, roots, treeneedels, stones

Description:Rather small ant species from Southern Africa

Development:matingflight: -
founding:  claustral (without feeding) 
colonysize: 

Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)

Weblinks:

 - Messor minor hesperius :

 

Latin Name:Messor minor hesperius

Trivialname:-

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini

Keeping Level:(1) Easy to keep Specie 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 reddish black

Worker:Size: 3 - 14mm Colour: shiny reddish black, polymorph

Soldier:not present

Males:Size: 7 - 8mm 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 useful

Nestform:Build their nest in soil and under stones

Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest

Formicaria size:Size: M - L 

Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam

Planting:similar to Savannasareas with  grass and other plants

Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels

Description:This specie is highly granivor ant which collect all kinds of small seeds and chew them into 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 minor hesperius  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:

- Forum
- Reference

Messor minor hesperius

- Camponotus fellah :

 

Latin Name:Camponotus fellah

Trivialname:-

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini

Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers

Distribution:Northafrica

Habitat:prefers savanah and semi - desert

Colonyform:monogyne, rarely oligogyne

Queen:Size: 17 - 19mm Colour: black; Gaster/ Legs: reddish brown

Worker:Size: 7 - 18mm Colour: black; Gaster/ Legs: reddish 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:no but has an endogenic Biorhythm which causes a Diapause 

Nestform:Build their nest soil

Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plasternest

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 fellah is one of the largest ants in Africa and shows high activity outside the nest and during foraging. They are very aggressive against other ants and Nestdisturbance.

Development:matingflight: on warm days March to April
founding:  claustral (without feeding) but also Pleometrosis or Adoptions are possible.
from Egg to adult worker approx. 6 - 8 Weeks (Egg to Larvae: approx. 10 -14 days, Larvae to Pupae: approx. 12 -17 days, Pupae to worker :approx. 21 - 30 days, depending on temperature).
The main time of activity is between april to september.The lifespan of the queen can be up to 29 years and more. 
colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals

Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)

Weblinks:

- Forum

- Reference

 - Messor marocanus :

 

Latin Name:Messor marocanus

Trivialname:-

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini

Keeping Level:(1) Species from North Africa with higher requirements towards food and climate

Distribution: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) but insects too

Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%

Temperature:Arena: 25 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 26°C

Hibernation:no

Nestform:Build their nest in soil and under stones

Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest

Formicaria size:Size: M - L 

Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam

Planting:similar to Savanahareas with  grass and other plants

Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,

Description:This specie is highly granivor ant which collect all kinds of small seeds and chew them into 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 marocanus tends to drown in open Water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton.

Development:matingflight:  -
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:

- Forum
- Reference

 

 

 - Cataglyphis viaticus :

 

 

Latin Name :Cataglyphis viaticus
Synonyms: Cataglyphis desertorum; Cataglyphis viatica

Trivialname:Desert Ant

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini

Haltungsklasse:(2) fast development which make it nessecary to enlarge the space

Distribiution:Southeurope, Northafrica

Habitate:sunexposed Sandareas, desert

Colonyform:monogyne

Queen:Size: 10 - 13mm Colour: Head and Thorax red, Gaster reddish black

Worker:Size: 9 - 13mm Colour: Head and Thorax red, Gaster reddish black

Soldier:not present

Males:Size: 10 - 12mm Colour: Head and Thorax brownish black, legs, Antennae and Gaster reddishbrown glimmer

Nutrition:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos, small crickets

rel. AirhumidityArena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%

Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C

Hibernation:yes, for 1 to 2 month at 15 - 18°C 

Nestform:Build their nest in soil, often under stones

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 viaticus is a aggressiv fast moving ant. They have a very good visual orientation. They are member of the Cataglyphis bicolor species group of which many members are very well researched.

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)

 

 

Cataglyphis bombycinus :

 

Latin Name:Cataglyphis bombycinus

Trivialname:Saharan silver ant

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini

Keeping Level:(2) shows higher requirements to climate and nutrition

Distribution:Africa, Greece, Middleeast

Habitat:prefers semi - desert and desert habitats

Colonyform:monogyne

Queen:Size: 11 - 12mm Colour: Head and Thorax reddishbrown, Gaster black, complete body with short hairs giving a silver shine

Worker:Size: 5,5 - 15mm Colour: Head and Thorax reddishbrown, Gaster black, complete body with short hairs giving a silver shine 

Soldier:Size:15mm with large mandibles (4mm) Colour: like normal workers

Males:Size: 8,5 - 11mm Colour: black, mandibles and legs yellow, slim

NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos

Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%

Temperature:Arena: 20 - 40°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C

Hibernation:no 

Nestform:Build their nest in soil

Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plasternest

Formicaria size:Size: M - L 

Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam

Planting:similar to Desert and Savannaareas with moss, grass and other plants

Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones

Description:Cataglyphis bombycinus is highly heatadapted ant which forage also at temperatures up to 50°C. Through there silver shine they are also known as Saharan silverants.
They are very aggressive ant the soldiers have effective mandibles similar to Armyants in southamerica. Also sometimes under the wrong spelling Cataglyphis bombycina.

Development:matingflight: -
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

 - Messor arenarius :

 

Latin Name:Messor arenarius

Trivialname:-

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini

Keeping Level:(1) Easy to keep specie from northafrica with higher requirements towards food and climate

Distribution:Southern Europe, North Africa

Habitat:Sand and shrub areas

Colonyform:monogyne

Queen:Size: 18 - 20mm Colour: shiny  black

Worker:Size: 5 - 18mm Colour: shiny  black, polymorph

Soldier:not present

Males:Size: 7 - 8mm 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 useful

Nestform:Build their nest in soil and under stones

Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest

Formicaria size:Size: M - L 

Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam

Planting:similar to Savannaareas with  grass and other plants

Decoration:Branches, Roots

Description:This specie is highly granivor ant which collect all kinds of small seeds and chew them into 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 arenarius tends to drown in open Water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton.

Development:matingflight:  -
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:

- Forum
- Reference

Camponotus storeatus :

 

 

Latin Name:Camponotus storeatus

Trivialname:-

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini

Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers

Distribution:Namibia, South Africa

Habitat:prefers desert and savanne

Colonyform:monogyne

Queen:Size: 17 - 18mm Colour: darkred, gaster black with a dense silver white hairness

Worker:Size: 9 - 19mm Colour: darkred, gaster black with a dense silver white hairness, polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers) 

Soldier:not present

Males:Size: 10 - 12mm 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: 24 - 28°C

Hibernation:no but has an endogenic Biorhythm which causes a Diapause from july to august

Nestform:Build their nest in soil often under stones

Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plasternest

Formicaria size:Size: L 

Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam

Planting:similar to Desert- and Savannaareas with moss, grass and other plants

Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones

Description:Camponotusstoreatus is a large Camponotus from the southern parts of Africa. They have a interesting golden coloration through the dense hairness on there gaster which make a contrast to the darkred color of there body.

Development:matingflight: november to february
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

 

Camponotus storeatus

 - Messor cephalotes  :

 

Latin Name:Messor cephalotes

Trivialname:-

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini

Keeping Level:(2) specie from eastafrica with higher requirements towards food and climate

Distribution:Ethopien, Kenya, Tansania,

Habitat:Sand and shrub areas

Colonyform:monogyne

Queen:Size: 23 - 25mm Colour: shiny  reddish

Worker:Size: 5 - 18mm Colour: shiny reddish, polymorph

Soldier:not present

Males:Size: - Colour: -

NutritionMostly seeds from different rampant plants (also grass) but insects too

Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%

Temperature:Arena: 25 - 30°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C

Hibernation:no

Nestform:Build their nest in soil and under stones

Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest

Formicaria size:Size: M - L 

Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam

Planting:similar to Savannaareas with  grass and other plants

Decoration:Branches, Roots

Description:This specie is highly granivor ant which collect all kinds of small seeds and chew them into 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 cephalotes tends to drown in open Water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton.

Development:matingflight:  -
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:

- Forum
- Reference

 - Anoplolepis custodiens  :

 

Latin Name:Anoplolepis custodiens

Trivialname:-

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Lasiini

Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and nutrion

Distribution:Sub- Saharan Africa (Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbawe)

Habitat:open grassland

Colonyform:polygyne

Queen:Size: 13 - 15,8mm Colour: greyish brown, gaster darker, covert with silky pile

Worker:Size: 3 - 10mm Colour: reddish brown to greyish brown, Gaster darker, covert with silky pile,  extremely polymorph (Minor, Media and Major workers)

Soldier:not present

Males:Size: 8,5 - 10,8mm Colour: brown , slim

NutritionHoneywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos

Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%

Temperature:Arena: 24 - 30°C Nestpart: 26 - 28°C

Hibernation:no

Nestform:Build their nest in open soil

Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/ Plasternest

Formicaria size:Size: M - L 

Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam

Planting:similar to Desertareas with stones and xerophyts

Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones

Description:Anoplolepis custodiens is the most abundant ant in sub-saharan region. They are very aggressiv against other ants but show no intraspecific aggression. The recruit very fast to new feeding rescources and build long trails from the nest to the food.

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

26 05 2015 Messor cephalotes

Anoplolepis custodiens

 - Oecophylla longinoda (weaver ants) :

 

Latin Name:Oecophylla longinoda

Trivialname:Weaverant, Treeant

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Oecophyllini

Keeping Level:(2) higher requirements towards climate and escapeprevention

Distribution:tropical Africa

Habitat:tropical rainforest

Colonyform:monogyne

Queen:Size: 12 - 14mm Colour: vigorous, yellowish brown 

Worker:Size: 3 - 9mm Colour: yellowish brown to brown, slim with long extremities, polymorph

Soldier:not present

Males:Size: 6 - 6,5mm Colour: blackish brown

NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos

Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%

Temperature:Arena: 21 - 35°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C

Hibernation:no

Nestform:Build their nest in the canopy of trees using the silk of there offspring

Kind of Formicaria:
Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder

Formicaria size:Size: L - XL depending on the chosen hostplant 

Substrate:Farm: - Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam 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)

Decoration:Branches, Roots

Description:Oecophylla longinoda is smaller then the asian specie but shows a greater workerpolymorphism. This antspecie lives in the canopy of different trees and 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 leafcutter ants they show one of the most complex communication system in all social insects. 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: with begin of the rainseason
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

Oecophylla longinoda

Platythyrea cribrinodis :

 

Latin Name:Platythyrea cribinodis

Trivialname:

Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Platythyreini

Keeping Level:(2) higher requirements towards climate and escapeprevention

Distribution:tropical Eastafrica

Habitat:coastforest, savanna

Colonyform:queenless with one reproductive worker

Queen:Size: - Colour: Gamergates identical with worker

Worker:Size: 20mm Colour: black

Soldier:not present

Males:Size: 12,4mm Colour: blackish brown

NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos

Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%

Temperature:Arena: 26 - 35°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C

Hibernation:no

Nestform:Build their nest in moist loam and under stones

Kind of Formicaria:
Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster

Formicaria size:Size: L 

Substrate:Farm: sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam

Planting:similar to tropicalforest but also savanna with Euphorbiacea

Decoration:Branches, Roots

Description:Platythyrea is a very ancient genus similar to Pachycondyla. They are active hunter and catch insects and other athropods. When these ants sleep they angle there legs. 

Development:matingflight: with begin of the rainseason
founding:  semiclaustral (with feeding) 
colonysize: a few hundred  Individuals

Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)

Weblinks:- Forum

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Platythyrea cribrinodis

Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ...    1   -   2   -   3

 

Ants Species : Africa  :    1    -    2  

                           Asia   :     1    -    2   -    3  -   4   -   5   -   6   -   7 

                           Europe :  - Central  Europe  :    1   -   2   -    3

                                            - South Europe :   4   -   5   -   6   

                           Americas ( South and North )  :    1    -    2   -    3  -   4   -   5   -   6   -   7 

                           Australia :  1    -    2  

Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ...    1   -   2   -   3

 

Ants Species : Africa  :    1    -    2  

                           Asia   :     1    -    2   -    3  -   4   -   5   -   6   -   7 

                           Europe :  - Central  Europe  :    1   -   2   -    3

                                            - South Europe :   4   -   5   -   6   

                           Americas ( South and North )  :    1    -    2   -    3  -   4   -   5   -   6   -   7 

                           Australia :  1    -    2  

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- Forum

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