Description

This is a small-sized, fast-reproducing, territorial ant species. It’s  claustral and polygynous (with multiple queens),  but the colony can function well with just a single queen. There are two distinct worker castes. The minors are 2 mm in size, long-legged, and very agile, so it’s essential to ensure proper escape prevention, as they quickly find even the smallest gaps in the ant farm. The majors (or soldiers) are 4 mm in size, with robust heads often larger than their abdomens. Their strong bite enables them to chop up seeds or the exoskeletons of insects, allowing the minors to consume the prey from within. The two castes work together very effectively, they can consume nearly any food source. They actively defend their territory, in addition to their strong bite, they use their stingers for defense. This is a capable, active, and resourceful species that requires patience and attention only due to its small size. Workers mainly forage at ground level.

In Mediterranean areas, this species could become invasive, however, based on current information, it would not be able to survive winter in our country. Keeping them requires responsibility, so this species is recommended only for more experienced ant keepers. More information on Pheidole species can be found HERE!

Feeding: Sugar or honey and insects, also seeds (seed mix + oily seeds such as walnuts or peanuts).

Reproduction: They reproduce quickly with warmth. In the first year, they raise 30-50 workers, and by the second year, the colony may reach a few hundred workers. A mature colony consists of several thousand workers. Offspring develop without a pupal cocoon, so the pupal stage is white and ant-shaped.

Hibernation: As a Mediterranean ant species, hibernation is not required.