Description

This is a monogynous (single-queen) and visually striking Australian ant species. The queen is large, 25 mm in size, while workers range between 20 and 23 mm in size. Their heads and abdomens are black, thorax red, and their mandibles are bright yellow. They establish colonies of only a few hundred workers, typically digging their nests into the soil in nature. While they do not require high humidity, it’s recommended to create a more natural habitat using ytong, plaster, soil, or cement with a darkened nest area, as they are sensitive to disturbances, and such stress can significantly slow their development. They have excellent vision and actively hunt at night. They capture their prey with their mandibles, then neutralize it with their stingers. Even the queen is aggressive and quick, a capable hunter in her own right. Their sting is painful, comparable to a wasp sting, but the pain subsides within 15-30 minutes. This species should be kept with great caution, with special attention to escape prevention, especially in mature colonies! An open water source can be provided in their enclosure, from which they can not only drink but occasionally bathe and even swim. This species is recommended only for experienced ant keepers, as they require a lot of patience and special care!

This species is sensitive to shipping, so orders are only available for personal recieve.

Feeding: Honey and insects.

Reproduction: Colony growth is very slow at the beginning. The first workers may take several months, even up to half a year to develop. However, once there are 5-15 workers, the colony stabilizes, and reproduction becomes more consistent. A mature colony consists of only a few hundred workers.

Hibernation: This is a tropical species, it does not require hibernation.