Description
This is a ponogynous (single-queen), claustral ant species. Workers are longish and typically have red heads and thoraxes, with black abdomens. Queens heads can be red or entirely black color, but the queen’s color does not influence the worker’s coloration. This species is polymorphic, that means its workers appear in three different sizes (minor, media, major). They carve their nest into wood and establish colonies with a small population. The colony is typically consisting of only a few hundred workers. Unlike other ants, they are shy, try to avoid conflict, and prefer to flee rather than engage in open battles. They do not guard their food sources. Workers are looking for food alone usually on trees and occasionally on the ground. This ant species is rare in our country, can be found in areas with mediterranean microclimate. The expected lifespan of the queen can reach up to 10-15 years.
Food: Honey and insects.
Colony size: The colony reproduces slowly, raise 10-20 workers in the first year, but from the second year they can reach the population of 100 workers.
Hibernation: At 5-8°C, from the end of November to the end of March. For more information check this video.
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