Description

A characteristic, unique, black‑and‑yellow coloured, spotted African ant species. Monogynous (with a single queen), claustral; the characteristic coloration of the queen appears only slightly on the smallest (minor) workers – they are more yellowish and only their abdomen is darker – but in mature nests the largest (major) workers bear spots similar to those of the queen. Majors have broad heads, a strong bite and defend themselves aggressively. Besides their powerful mandibles, they also neutralize insects by spraying acid. In the wild they nest in soil on savannas or on dry forest edges, but they often climb tree trunks, plants and other objects when searching for food. They tolerate temporary heat and drought well. It is a hardy, resourceful species that reproduces evenly under ideal conditions, but keeping it requires patience; initially the queen should be protected from unnecessary stress. They can be kept in a Plexiglas formicarium or with a sponge nest; the queen’s expected lifespan can be 10–15 years.

Feeding: with honey and insects.

Reproduction: This is a large ant species; the colony develops slowly at first, but under ideal conditions it raises 10–20 workers in the first months. A mature colony consists of several thousand workers.

Overwintering: A tropical ant species, it does not need to be overwintered.