Description

Temnothorax species are quite small ant species, they establish small colonies with a few hundred workers. They can live in a smaller formicarium lifelong. In the nature they live in little twigs, sticks, branches or under bark of trees. These species are good at climbing, they also can search for food vertically, and able to tolerate drier habitats. Monogyn, claustral species. The queens and the workers are yellowish, their head and gaster is a bit darker. They are also recommended for beginners, but due to their small size, they need special patience and care. We have to pay attention the formicarium’s smallest gaps to avoid their escape. We also have to be careful with water and liquid food, because if we give them too much, they can stick to it. Workers are shy, they try to avoid the conflict with other ants and insects. Their diet should contain dead insects only, because they never hunt for bigger preys. If necessary, they defend themselves with their sting, but usually they try to escape or hide instead.

Feeding: Honey, and insects, sometimes some oil seeds like walnut, hazelnut, sunflower seeds.

Colony size: They multiply slowly, in the first year they grow only 3-10 workers. In the second year, the number of workers can reach 30-50. The mature colony consist of only a few hundred workers.

Hibernation: Recommended from the end of November, to March, on 5-8°C.
You can find more information about hibernation in this video.