Description

This species is claustral and is monogynous (with a single queen), can be found in Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The small workers are highly aggressive and are known for their strong territorial behaviour. If an intruder enters their territory, they band together and attack, neutralizing it with their strong mandibles and stingers. They are easy to keep, undemanding, and reproduce quickly. They adapt well to their environment, making them suitable for beginners, but we have to pay attention on escape-proof enclosure! They have a single worker caste, and both the queen and the workers are brownish-black in color. They build their nest into the soil and prefer open, sunny habitats. They tolerate drought well. They can be kept in relatively dry environments, with a few watering spots, then we will avoid the appearing of mold and mites. The workers mainly forage at ground level.

Feeding: In addition to sugar or honey and insects, they should also be given small amounts of oily seeds (e.g., walnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds) to provide all their nutritional needs.

Reproduction: They reproduce quickly in warm conditions. In the first year, they raise 30-50 workers, and in the second year, the population can reach a few hundred. In mature colonies consists of thousands of workers. Their pupae are white and ant-shaped.

Hibernation: It is recommended to hibernate them from late November to March at 5-8°C.
More information on hibernation can be found in this video.