- Neoponera cf. verenae - Pachycondyla cf. verenae :
Latin Name:Neoponera cf. verenae
Synonym: Pachycondyla cf. verenae
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) can sting painful and are very sensitive to variations in their protein supply
Distribution:Central- and Southamerica
Habitate:tropical rainforest, subtropical forest, open grassland and urban environments
Colonyform:monogyn
Queen:Size: 20mm Colour: black
Worker:Size: 20 - 21 mm Colour: black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos, as they have no social crop the honeysolution should be more fluid
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 22 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no
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: Sand-Loam, Humus, cork Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam,
Planting:similar to Forestareas with moss and tropicalvegetation
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:E.g. in the rain forest areas of Costa Rica a common species. Foraging workers can move very quick and then seem to be "nervous". The antennas can move very fast. Sometimes they are looking for nutrition using a so called tandem run. They are rather diurnal, workers looking for nutrition at night haven't been observed yet.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: semiclaustral
colonysize: only a few hundred worker
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
Neoponera cf. verenae - Pachycondyla cf. verenae
- Acromyrmex cf. fracticornis :
Latin Name:Acromymrex cf. fracticornis
Trivialname:Leafcutterant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Attini
Keeping Level:(3) through their large Space- and Foodrequirements as well as their climateconditions only for experienced antkeepers
Distribution:Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay
Habitat:tropical rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 10 - 12mm Colour: rustyred, bulky Thorax
Worker:Size: 2,2 - 5,8mm Colour: rustyred, spines on the Thorax
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrition:a home-grown fungus (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus) is cultivated by the workerswith the leaves and flowers of Rosaceae plants and fruits. Specific protein bodies to the fungal hyphae are harvested and fed to queen and brood. The administration ofsugar or honey Water is recommended
potential foodplants are: blackberries, raspberries, roses, boxwood, elderberry, oak, lime-tree, wild wine next to apples, orange, banana, grapes in an emergency also oatflakes
It`s recommended to moisten the leaves before feeding.
The feeding of sumach leaves should be avoided at all costs, as these are toxic to the fungus.
Airhumidity:Arena: 40 - 60% Nestpart: 80 - 90% Garbagechamber: 30 - 40%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in soil
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: XL !!! with growing of the colony a least 3 Basins for Fungus, Feeding and Garbage !!!
Substrate:Farm: - Arena: Potterclay, Perlite, Humus, Sand-Loam
Planting:-
Decoration:-
Description:Acromyrmex cf. fracticornis is a small leafcutterant from the rainforest of Southamerica, in the wild they cut fresh leaves and dry leaves but also grass. UnlikeAtta they perform long treks to cuttingplaces and need the longer ways for optimal development.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral with a piece of fungus from the mothercolony which is first fertilized with droppings of the Queen. A Queen can be between 8 up to 15 years old.
colonysize: up to 20 000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Acromyrmex cf. crassispinus :
Latin Name:Acromymrex cf. crassispinus
Trivialname:Leafcutterant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Attini
Keeping Level:(3) through their large Space- and Foodrequirements as well as their climateconditions only for experienced antkeepers
Distribution:Southamerica
Habitat:rainforest, savanna
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11mm Colour: darkbrown
Worker:Size: 4 - 14mm Colour: darkbrown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 7mm Colour: darkbrown
Nutrition:a home-grown fungus (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus) is cultivated by the workerswith the leaves and flowers of Rosaceae plants and fruits. Specific protein bodies to the fungal hyphae are harvested and fed to queen and brood. The administration ofsugar or honey Water is recommended
potential foodplants are: blackberries, raspberries, roses, boxwood, elderberry, oak, lime-tree, wild wine next to apples, orange, banana, grapes in an emergency also oatflakes
It`s recommended to moisten the leaves before feeding.
The feeding of sumach leaves should be avoided at all costs, as these are toxic to the fungus.
Airhumidity:Arena: 40 - 60% Nestpart: 80 - 90% Garbagechamber: 30 - 40%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in soil
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: XL !!! with growing of the colony a least 3 Basins for Fungus, Feeding and Garbage !!!
Substrate:Farm: - Arena: Potterclay, Perlite, Humus, Sand-Loam
Planting:-
Decoration:-
Description:Acromyrmex cf crassispinus is a small leafcutterant from Argentina, in the wild they cut both flowering plants and grass . Unlike Atta they perform long treks tocuttingplaces and need the longer ways to develop optimal
Development:matingflight: with the first summerrains
founding: claustral with a piece of fungus from the mothercolony which is first fertilized with droppings of the Queen. A Queen can be between 8 up to 15 years old.
colonysize: up to 20 000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Myrmecocystus mimicus (Honeypot ants) :
Latin Name:Myrmecocystus mimicus
Trivialname:Honeypot ants
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:South United States, Mexico
Habitat:varity of xerothermic habitats from Woodland, Savanna to Grassland
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 8 - 9mm Colour: head and Throax reddish brown to reddish yellow, Gaster black, bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 3 - 6mm Colour: head and Throax dreddish brown to reddish yellow, Gaster black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4mm Colour: blackish brown
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Flies or Mosquitos or small crickets
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 40°C Nestpart: 28 - 35°C
Hibernation:yes
Nestform:Nest in soil, under stones
Kind of Formicaria:
farm-arena, center, combi, ytong, gypsum
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to meadow and savanna
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves,
Description:This beautiful ants are known for there honeypots. Special worker which are used as foodstorage. They are very active and aggressive but show espacialy in the beginning a slow colony development.
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
Myrmecocystus Mimicus moving their queen.
- Camponotus cf. punctulatus :
Latin Name:Camponotus cf. punctulatus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Venezuela, Colombia, Brasil, Chile, Paraguay, Panama, Suriname, Guyana, Uruguay, Frensch Guiana, Argentina, Guatemala, Mexico
Habitat:open and agriculturally-disturbed habitats
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11mm Colour: darkbrown to black with reddishish mandibles, bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 4 - 7mm Colour: reddish yellow, gaster darker
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 8mm Colour: black
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Flies or Mosquitos or small crickets
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Nest in soil with a mound of up to 50cm
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 meadow and savanna
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves,
Description:Camponotus punctulatus is one of the most abundant ants in agriculturally disturbed areas.
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
Camponotus cf. punctulatus
- Neoponera apicalis - Pachycondyla apicalis :
Latin Name:Neoponera apicalis
Synonym: Pachycondyla apicalis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Southern Mexico to southeast Brasil
Habitat:wetforest and low land rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne, reproductive worker produce males
Queen:Size: 20 mm Colour: black, antennae tips yellow bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 20 mm Colour: black, antennae tips yellow
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 15mm Colour: orange
Nutritionliving insects like fruit flies,spring tails, mealworm and sugar-, or honey waterthey no socialstomach so honeywater or sugarsolution must more fluend.
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 25 - 30°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in and under rotten wood, also in soil
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, humus Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam, Humus
Planting:similar to tropical rainforest
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves
Description:Pachycondyla apicalis is one of the most common neotropical ponerine ants. They show fast movements while searching for food as singleforagers. As typical for many ponerine ants unmated queens show worker like behavior including foodcollecting and nestexcavation. In large colonies worker start to produce males even in presence of a queen.
Development:matingflight:
founding: semiclaustral (with feeding)
colonysize: up to 500 Individuals in captivity
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Paraponera clavata :
Latin Name:Paraponera clavata
Trivialname:Bulletant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Paraponerinae Tribe: Paraponerini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Central and South America
Habitat:low land rainforest and wetforest up to 1000m
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 25 - 30mm Colour: reddish brown to reddish black, golden hairs on the fronttarsi, bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 20 - 28mm Colour: reddish brown to reddish black, golden hairs on there fronttarsi
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 18 - 20mm Colour: bright orange
Nutritionup to 90% Honey and Sugarwater, Fruits, small insects like Houseflies and crickets, as nectarcollecting ants they prefer risen feeding places.
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 25 - 30°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:mainly nest in soil but also arboreal nests occur
Kind of Formicaria:Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, humus Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam, humus
Planting:similar to tropical rainforest with different epiphyts, nectarproducing plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves, Climbing possibilities
Description:Most people know these ants through the stories about their painful sting. But they are also one of the most ancient and beautiful ants in the world. Even when they are very hard to keep. Especialy the founding is very hard and many things about there neststructure is still unsolved. They are peaceful and show no aggression against other living beings. When they were disturbed Paraponera starts to make some noise with their legs.
They are single foragers on low vegetation and in the canopy. Paraponera is a nocturnal ant which starts foraging after dusk. As nectarcollecting Ants they prefer higher standing feeding places. Feedingplaces on the ground are often ignored.
Development:matingflight:
founding: semiclaustral (without feeding), often pleometrosis
colonysize: most times about 500 workers but sometimes up to 2000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Paraponera clavata - Tocandira - Bullet Ant
- Camponotus cf. silvicola :
Latin Name:Camponotus spec.
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) easy to keep but with higher requirements to escapeprevention
Distribution:Venezuela, Colombia, Brasil, Bolivia, Paragay, North Argentina,
Habitat:shaded forestedges, second grown forest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 15mm Colour: amber, bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 6 - 11mm Colour: amber
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 10mm Colour: black
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Flies or Mosquitos or small crickets
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest under leaf litter
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 rainforest
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves,
Description:colorful species very common in second grown forest. The are not aggressive and show a more nocturnal activity. They collect nectar on plants around there nesting grounds.
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
Camponotus cf. auriventris
- Crematogaster rudis :
Latin Name:Crematogaster rudis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Crematogastrini
Keeping Level:(2) has higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guayana
Habitat:savanna
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 6mm Colour: Head/ Thorax reddish brown, Gaster darkbrown, bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 2,5 - 3mm Colour: Head/Thorax reddish brown, Gaster darkbrown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
NutritionHoneywater, Insects e.g. Flies or Mosquitos or small crickets
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:Build their nest in dead wood and under bark
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 rainforest
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves,
Description:this ants are very active with a high need for food. They build large colonies in dead twigs or under bark. .
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
Crematogaster cf rudis
- Atta cephalotes :
Latin Name:Atta cephalotes
Trivialname:Leafcutterant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Attini
Keeping Level:(3) through their large Space- and Foodrequirements as well as their climateconditions only for experienced antkeepers
Distribution:Southamerica
Habitat:tropical Rainforest
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 30mm Colour: redbrown
Worker:Size: 3 - 16mm Colour: shiny redbrown to amber, Thorax darkbrown til black polymorph
Soldier:18 - 23mm, good developed heads with wooly hair
Males:Size: 20 - 25mm Colour: shiny amber
Nutrition:a home- grown fungus (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus) is cultivated by the workerswith the leaves and flowers of Rosaceae plants and fruits. Specific protein bodies to the fungal hyphae are harvested and fed to queen and brood. The administration ofsugar or honey Water is recommended
potential foodplants are: blackberries, raspberries, roses, boxwood, elderberry, oak, lime-tree, wild wine next to apples, orange, banana, grapes in an emergency also oatflakes
It`s recommended to moisten the leaves before feeding.
The feeding of sumach leaves should be avoided at all costs, as these are toxic to the fungus.
Airhumidity:Arena: 40 - 70% Nestpart: 80 - 90% Garbagechamber: 30 - 40%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in soil
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: XL !!! with growing of the colony a least 3 Basins for Fungus, Feeding and Garbage !!!
Substrate:Farm: - Arena: Potterclay, Perlite, Humus, Sand-Loam
Planting:-
Decoration:-
Description:Soil nests with many chambers within closed forest areas also often nests above the surface between the roots, which are covered with leaves. They have specialgarbagechambers that function as an air filter and pull fresh air into the nest through atemperature gradient.
Development:matingflight: with the first summerrains
founding: claustral
colonysize: up to 8.000 000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Atta cephalotes bicolor getting some fresh leaves
- Atta mexicana :
Latin Name:Atta mexicana
Trivialname:Leafcutterant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Attini
Keeping Level:(3) through their large Space- and Foodrequirements as well as their climatecondtions only for experienced antkeepers
Distribution:Mexico, north up to Arizona
Habitat:subtropics
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 30mm Colour: reddish brown
Worker:Size: 3 - 16mm Colour: reddish brown, polymorph
Soldier:18 - 23mm,
Males:Size: 20 - 25mm Colour: shiny amber
Nutrition:a home-grown fungus (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus) is cultivated by the workerswith the leaves and flowers of Rosaceae plants and fruits. Specific protein bodies to the fungal hyphae are harvested and fed to queen and brood. The administration ofsugar or honey Water is recommended
potential foodplants are: blackberries, raspberries, roses, boxwood, elderberry, oak, lime-tree, wild wine next to apples, orange, banana, grapes in an emergency also oatflakes
It`s recommended to moisten the leaves before feeding.
The feeding of sumach leaves should be avoided at all costs, as these are toxic to the fungus.
Airhumidity:Arena: 40 - 70% Nestpart: 80 - 90% Garbagechamber: 30 - 40%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:nest in soil
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: XL !!! with growing of the colony a least 3 Basins for Fungus, Feeding and Garbage !!!
Substrate:Farm: - Arena: Potterclay, Perlite, Humus, Sand-Loam
Planting:-
Decoration:-
Description:Atta mexicana is a very adaptable leafcutterant which also tolerates cooler temperatures.In the urban areas of Mexico sometimes the most commonleafcutterant.
Development:matingflight: with the first summerrains
founding: claustral with a piece of fungus from the mothercolony which is first fertilized with droppings of the Queen. A Queen can be up to 15 years old.
colonysize: up to 8.000 000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Atta mexicana (Leafcutter)
- Pogonomyrmex maricopa :
Latin Name:Pogonomyrmex maricopa
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Myrmicini
Keeping Level:(2) can sting painful and can seldomly cause allergicreactions
Distribution:Eastcoast of United States to south of New Mexico
Habitate:desert, opengrassland, savanna
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 9 - 12mm Colour: light red to deep red
Worker:Size: 6 - 9mm Colour: light red to deep red
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos but mainly seeds like gras,Amaranth, millet, Suncup
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 22 - 35°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes similar to mediterranean antspecies for 2 -3 month at 15 - 18°C( unheated room)
Nestform:Build their nest in soil with mount of stones and calcium
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 grassland and desert
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:desert-dwelling species of north- and middle america. They store seeds in up to 2m deep stores, making ant-bread out of it, such as species of Messor. Pogonomyrmex macricopa is know for having the most toxic insectsting in the world. The pain of a sting can long for 4 hours and longer.
Development:matingflight: July to August
founding: claustral
colonysize: 10. 000 to 20. 000 worker
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Pogonomyrmex maricopa
- Pogonomyrmex barbatus :
Latin Name:Pogonomyrmex barbatus
Trivialname:Red Harvester ant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Myrmicini
Keeping Level:(2) can sting painful and cause in some cases allergic reactions
Distribution:United States, Nothern Mexico
Habitate:desert and semidesert
Colonyform:monogyn
Queen:Size: 9 - 12mm Colour: red to darkbrown
Worker:Size: 5 - 9,5mm Colour: red to darkbrown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: yellow
Nutrion:Mainly seeds e.g. millet, amaranthus, suncup, gras and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 22 - 28°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C
Hibernation:yes like mediterranean antspecies for 2 -3 month at 15 - 18°C (unheated room)
Nestform:Build their nest in soil which can reach down to 2m and have a small mount with 10cm height
Kind of Formicaria:
farm-arena, center, combi, ytong, gypsum
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, Humus Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam,
Planting:similar to Forestareas with moss and tropicalvegetation
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:desert-dwelling species of north- and middle america. They store seeds in up to 2m deep stores, making ant-bread out of it, such as species of Messor. This is why they're so-called harvesting ants. In nature they're building huge subterraneously nests and tunnels. To be able to grind up hard seeds they have a brawny head with strong mandibles.
Development:matingflight: july to august
founding: claustral
colonysize: up to 15 000 worker
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Red harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus)
- Neoponera villosa - Pachycondyla villosa :
Latin Name:Neoponera villosa
Synonym: Pachycondyla villosa
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) can sting painful and are very sensitive to variations in their protein supply
Distribution:Southern Texas to Northargentina
Habitate:tropical rainforest, dryforest, open Grassland, Crops
Colonyform:monogyn, secondary polygyne ( observed in the lab)
Queen:Size: 15 - 16mm Colour: deeply green-golden glimmering, bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 13 - 14mm Colour: deeply green-golden glimmering
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: -
Nutrion:Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60%
Temperature:Arena: 22 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C
Hibernation:no
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, Humus Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forestareas with moss and tropicalvegetation, climbingpossibilties recommend
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:Beautiful, heavy green-gold glimmering species from Southamerica. Got rather small colony sizes. They live upside. They have a sting. To prevent potential mould growth in the basin the very high humidity might be relinquished.
Development:matingflight: -
founding: semiclaustral (with feeding) mainly by a single queen but also pleometrosis with up to 3 Queens possible( approx. 40%)
colonysize: only a few hundred worker
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Neoponera villosa
Odontomachus hastatus
- Odontomachus hastatus (trap-jaw) :
Latin Name:Odontomachus hastatus
Trivialname:Trapjaw ants
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Ponerini
Keeping Level:(2) show higher requirements to climate and escapeprevention
Distribution:Central and South America
Habitat:wetforest and low land rainforest
Colonyform:polygyne
Queen:Size: 15-18 mm Colour: head and Throax reddish brown to reddish yellow, Gaster black, bulky thorax
Worker:Size: 13-17 mm Colour: head and Throax dreddish brown to reddish yellow, Gaster black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4mm Colour: blackish brown
Nutritionliving insects like fruit flies,spring tails, mealworm and sugar-, or honey water
Airhumidity:Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70%
Temperature:Arena: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 25 - 30°C
Hibernation:no
Nestform:mainly inside of epiphytic bromeliads e.g. Vriesea spec.
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M - XL
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to tropical rainforest with different epiphyts
Decoration:Branches, Roots, leaves
Description:One of the biggest species of Odontomachus. The high humidity should be ensured. They are single foragers and they never hunt on the ground. The hunt
Development:matingflight:
founding: semiclaustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to 500 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ... 1 - 2 - 3
Asia : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
Europe : - Central Europe : 1 - 2 - 3