Description

This speccies is recommended for beginners. It is monogynous (single-queen), claustral and polymorphic. Three worker castes appears (minor, media, major). The workers are robust, strong, and resilient. Both the queen and the workers are a smoky black color, covered in silver-colored hairs, with the workers have a striking, shiny silver pattern on their abdomens. This pattern on the queen’s abdomen has a slightly yellower tint. In addition to their strong mandibles, they defend themselves by spraying formic acid. They become more active and develop faster in warmer conditions, establishing colonies of several thousand workers. The workers alert their nestmates to danger by tapping their heads. The queen’s lifespan can reach up to 10-15 years.

Feeding: Honey and insects.

Reproduction: The colony initially reproduces slowly, raising a maximum of 25-40 workers in the first year, but by the second year, the population can reach around 100 workers. The colony is shy while they have few workers, but once they reach several hundred, they become bolder and aggressively defend their territory.

Hibernation: As a tropical ant species, they do not require hibernation, however, during the winter period, approximately from December to February, the queen stops laying eggs. It is not advisable to heat them during this time; room temperature is recommended, but they remain active and should be fed the same way.