Description

This is a claustral, monogynous (single-queen) ant species from Northeast Asia. In the wild, they live in dense forests, digging their nests into the soil and using this soil in interesting ways. On one hand, they build their own buildings from it; on the other hand, they cover the nests of neighboring ant species with it, gaining a strategic advantage in foraging. They release strong chemical substances from their abdomens as a defense mechanism. The queen is large, with a red head and thorax and a shiny black abdomen. The workers have similar coloration. They are resilient and well-adapted to their environment. Aggressive and territorial, they effectively capture prey, quickly neutralizing them with their stingers. They establish populous colonies with several thousand workers. The queen’s lifespan can reach up to 20 years! Starting a colony from a queen requires a lot of patience, so it is recommended for more experienced keepers. However, once there are 15-20 workers in the colony, it can be a suitable species for beginners as well.

Feeding: Honey and insects.

Reproduction: The colony grows slowly, requiring a lot of patience. Later, their reproduction speeds up, and the mature colony becomes quite populous, consisting of several thousand workers.

Hibernation: Requires hibernation from September to March at 16-20°C.