Description

This is a highly distinctive and strikingly beautiful monogynous (single-queen), claustral Asian ant species. The queen has an elongated body with reddish patterns on her thorax and abdomen. Her head is large and broad, with a powerful bite. Workers appear in various sizes, with the smaller minors, they are less distinctive in appearance, but the majors also have robust, wide, characteristic heads. Both the queen and workers are covered by long hairs, and their legs are characteristically reddish, sometimes yellowish. This species is generally reclusive, but defend and attack aggressively when necessary to protect itself or food. In nature, they live in tree branches. Their strong bite allows them to handle their habitat easily. They climb well on both slippery and rough surfaces. This species reproduces rapidly under ideal conditions, but caring for them requires patience and protecting the queen from unnecessary stress. Even the first generations of workers actively forage for food outside the nest. They can be kept in both plexi or sponge-nest formicariums.

Feeding: Honey and insects.

Reproduction: This species reproduces quickly. Growing of the colony is relatively fast even initially, they raise 10-20 workers in the first few months under ideal conditions. A mature colony consists of approximately 2,000-3,000 workers.

Hibernating: As a tropical ant species, they do not require wintering. The ideal temperature for keeping them is around 25°C.