- Aphaenogaster senilis :
Latin Name:Aphaenogaster senilis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(1) Species from Southern Europe with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:around the mediterranian sea
Habitat:prefers sunexposed forest and meadowedges
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 9mm Colour: black, silver hairs
Worker:Size: 5,5 - 7mm Colour: black silver hairs
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: - Colour: black
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
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 forestareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:Aphaenogaster senilis is a mediterranian ant which is mostly nocturnal and let their larvae feed actively on insects.
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
Cataglyphis rosenhaueri
- Crematogaster scutellaris :
Latin Name :Crematogaster scutellaris
Trivialname:Cocktailant
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Crematogastrini
Haltungsklasse:(2) fast development which makes it nessecary to enlarge the space
Distribiution:Southern Europe, Northafrica
Habitate:open Pineforests
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 7 - 9mm Colour: black with a red Head
Worker:Size: 3 - 4mm Colour: black with a red Head
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 3 - 4mm Colour: 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 3 to 6 month depending on origin
Nestform:Build papernests in Trees and deadwood
Kind of Formicaria
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
FormicariasizeSize: M - XL
Substrate:Farm: Cork, Softwood Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:xerophytic plants
Decoration:Branches, roots, stones, leaves, moss
Description:Crematogaster scutellaris is a small ant from southerneurope which builds papernests like wasps. In southern europe they are a mainpredator of the figwasp Blastophaga psenes
Development:matingflight: warm evenings from August to October
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 1000 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Cataglyphis velox :
Latin Name :Cataglyphis velox
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:polygyne
Queen:Size: 15 - 18mm Colour: Head and Thorax red, Gaster black
Worker:Size: 5 - 10mm 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, grass
Decoration:Branches, roots, stones
Description:Cataglyphis velox 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
Time lapse Crematogaster scutellaris ants eat a grasshopper | antday.com
- Anochetus ghilianii :
Latin Name:Anochetus ghilianii
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Odontomachii
Keeping Level:(2) Species from Southern Europe with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:Southspain and Northafrica
Habitat:prefers closed forests and avoids aride areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 7mm Colour: yellowbrown, reddish, head bigger with Ocellen
Worker:Size: 6 - 7mm Colour: yellowbrown, reddish
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4,5mm Colour: black, slim, Gastertip yellowbrown
NutritionInsects 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 November until end of February at 15°C
Nestform:Build their nest in soil under dead wood and treetrunks
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forestareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:Anochetus ghilianii is the only trapjaw ant in europe. They live only near the Strait of Gibraltar. They use their modified mandibels to catch small insects
Development:matingflight: no matingflight, mating inside or near the nest
founding: semiclaustral (with 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 senilis
- Camponotus spec. (from greece) :
Latin Name:Camponotus spec.
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: - Colour: black, bulky
Worker:Size: - Colour: black, monomorph
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:no, but reducing the temperature for 2-3 Month to 15 - 18°C can be useful
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:-
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
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 aethiops defending nest
Cataglyphis velox
- Camponotus aethiops :
Latin Name:Camponotus aethiops
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with a colonysize of at least 10 workers
Distribution:Southeurope up to Caucasia
Habitat:high Xerothermic in dry grassland and on Lime stone
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 12 - 13mm Colour: shiny black
Worker:Size: 5 - 10mm Colour: shiny black extremely polymorph( Minor, Media and Major workers)
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 6mm 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:December to February at 12-15°C (has an endogenic biorhythm)
Nestform:Build their nest in soil sometimes under large Stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forest- and Mountainareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:Camponotus aethiops is a very xerothermic ant from southeurope. It's on the "red list" in many places.
Development:matingflight: on warm days from June ro September in the afternoon,
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
- Cataglyphis rosenhaueri :
Latin Name:Cataglyphis rosenhaueri
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini
Keeping Level:(2) fast development which make it nessecary to enlarge the space
Distribution:Southeurope
Habitat:high Xerothermic in dry grassland and on Lime stone
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 10 - 11mm Colour: Thorax and Head red, Gaster shiny black
Worker:Size: 6 - 9mm Colour: Thorax and Head red, Gaster shiny black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 6mm 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, for one to two month at 15 - 18°C
Nestform:Build their nest in soil sometimes under large Stones
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: M - L
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Savanna- and Desertareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Stones
Description:long legged, fast, very aggressive nature with very good vision.
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
- Lasius (Lasius s. str.) grandis :
Latin Name:Lasius (Lasius s. str.) grandis
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Lasiini
Keeping Level:(1) very easy in keeping
Distribution:Southern Europe, Northafrica
Habitat:avoids sunexposed and xerothermic Areas, often found in open Pineforest with a humid climate
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: - 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, for 2 - 3 month in the unheated room (15 - 18°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 sandareas, moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, roots, treeneedels, stones
Description:very aggressive and tough ants similar to Lasius niger
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to 40.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
- Lasius lasioides:
Latin Name:Lasius (Lasius s. str.) lasioides
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Lasiini
Keeping Level:(1) very easy in keeping
Distribution:Southern Europe, Northafrica
Habitat:all areas with at least a few trees
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 9mm Colour: dark reddish brown
Worker:Size: 3 - 5mm Colour: dark reddish brown
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 stonesbut also in dead wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Ytong/Plaster
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forest- and Sandareas moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels, stones
Description:Very shy ant similar to Lasius brunneus. Avoids any aggressive encounter after Nestopening.
Development:matingflight: from May to july
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to 40.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Camponotus spec.
- Messor ebeninus :
Latin Name:Messor ebenius
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Pheidolini
Keeping Level:(1) Species from Middle east with higher requirements towards food and climate
Distribution:Middle east (e.g Syria, Israel, Libanon)
Habitat:Sand and shrub areas
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11 - 12mm Colour: shiny black
Worker:Size: 3 - 11mm Colour: Minors reddish black, majors 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
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 by seeds and insects. Honeywater is only accepted when there is a lack of moisture. Messor ebeninus tends to drown in open water so it is necessary to cover waterplaces with little stones or cotton.
Development:matingflight: between the end of november and begin of december
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 Ebeninus colony
- Lepisiota bipartita :
Latin Name:Lepisiota bipartita
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Plagiolepidini
Keeping Level:(2) easy in keeping but with higher requirments towards climate
Distribution:Southeastern Europe, Middleeast, Mediterranean Coastparts of Arabia
Habitat:sunexposed sandareas with dryadapted plants
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 5 - 5,5mm Colour: big black eyes, Head and Thorax reddish brown, Gaster black with high density of hairs
Worker:Size: 3 - 3,5mm Colour: big black eyes, Head and thorax reddish brown, Gaster black
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 3,5 - 4,5mm Colour: darkbrown, Thorax reddish, 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: 23 - 26°C
Hibernation:yes, in an unheated room at 15 - 18 °C
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:Very active ants with a high preference for carbonhydrate - rich nutrition. Very common on the Southern european Peninsula and the Arabian Peninsula
Development:matingflight: -
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to a few 1.000 Individuals
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Lepisiota cf. bipartita
-Lasius emarginatus :
Latin Name:Lasius (Lasius s. str.) emarginatus
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Lasiini
Keeping Level:(2) often found as houseant can they infiltrate woodconstruction and thermal insulation
Distribiution:all over Europe, Caucasia
Habitate:inhabit open spaces with stones and rocks, can also be found in urban areas
Colonyform:monogyn
Queen:Size: 7,5 - 9 mm Colour: Head darkbown,Thorax and Gaster brown
Worker:Size: 2,5 - 4 mm Colour: Head and Gaster dark, thorax yellish brown
Soldier:not present
Males:Size: 4 mm 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 under stones, often papernests strengthen by honeydew and a fungus.
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder
Formicaria size:Size: S - M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to orest- and sandareas moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels, Stones
Description:Lasius emarginatus is a very aggressive ant which defends feedingplaces against other ants.
Development:matingflight: on warm days end of July ` til the end of August
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: a few 1000 workers
Quantity:one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development)
Weblinks:
- Forum
- Reference
Lasius emarginatus
- Aphaenogaster dulcineae :
Latin Name:Aphaenogaster dulcineae
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: amberbrown
Worker:Size: 6 - 7mm Colour: amberbrown
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 also in rotten wood
Kind of Formicaria:
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest
Formicaria size:Size: M
Substrate:Farm: Sand-Loam, Cork Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forestareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels
Description:Aphaenogaster dulcineae is an ant from southspain and very fragile towards nestclimate.
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 dulcineae
- Camponotus rufoglaucus feae :
Latin Name:Camponotus rufoglaucus feae
Trivialname:-
Taxonomy:Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Camponotini
Keeping Level:(1) for beginners with higher requirements towards climate
Distribution:Africa to India
Habitat:open Grassland
Colonyform:monogyne
Queen:Size: 11 - 12mm Colour: black, Head reddish, Gaster with silver hairs
Worker:Size: 7 - 10mm Colour: black, Head reddish, Gaster with silver 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: 21 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°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 Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam
Planting:similar to Forest- and Mountainareas with moss, grass and other plants
Decoration:Branches, Roots, Treeneedels,
Description:Camponotus rufoglaucus is an African ant that has small colonies. It can also be found on the Canary Islands.
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 rufoglaucus feae
Ants : introduction , care and vivarium set up ... 1 - 2 - 3
Asia : 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7
Europe : - Central Europe : 1 - 2 - 3