Description

This is a large, monogynous (single-queen) ant species. They are claustral, and polymorphic.  Three worker castes appears in the colony (minor, media, major). The workers are robust, strong, and resilient. Both the queen and the workers are matte black, with their abdomens covered in striking, shiny golden hairs. In addition to their strong mandibles, they defend themselves by spraying acid. They become more active and develop faster in warm conditions. They form colonies consisting of several thousand workers. The queen’s lifespan can reach up to 10-15 years. Due to its slow reproduction rate, starting a colony from a queen requires a lot of patience, making it more suitable for experienced keepers at the beginning. However, once there are 20-25 workers in the nest, it can be recommended also for beginners.

Feeding: Honey and insects.

Reproduction: The colony initially reproduces slowly, raise 25-40 workers in the first year, but by the second year, they can reach a population of 100 workers. As the most Camponotus species, the colony is timid when they have few workers, but once they reach several hundred members, they become bold and aggressively defend their territory.

Hibernating: A tropical ant species, it does not require wintering.