📋 Quick Reference Sheet

🌡️ Environment & Setup

Creating the right environment is key for a thriving colony, but they are quite tolerant of variations .

• Temperature:

  • Nest: 24 – 28°C .

  • Optimal: 27 – 29°C .

• Humidity:

  • Nest: 50 – 70% .

• Nest Type: They prefer to nest in dead wood . A cork or natural wood nest is highly recommended and well-accepted . They will also adapt to acrylic, plaster, or 3D-printed nests .

🍽️ Feeding

This species has a high food requirement  but is not fussy.

• Protein: A protein-rich diet is essential for growth. Offer insects like fruit flies, crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches. It is best to offer freshly-killed insects rather than live ones that can fight back.

• Carbohydrates/Sugar: They love sugars. Provide honey water, sugar water, beetle jelly, or specialized ant nectar .

• Hydration: Ensure fresh water is always available in a safe form (e.g., a test tube reservoir or a special feeder) to prevent drowning .

🐜 Behavior & Important Notes

• Activity: This is a primarily nocturnal species, though larger colonies can often be seen active during the day . High activity during the day can sometimes indicate a shortage of food .

• Defense: They do not possess a sting and are not known for a painful bite. Their main defense is the ability to spray formic acid. They are also known for a unique behavior: when alarmed, they tap their gasters (abdomen) against the nest, creating an audible sound to alert other workers .

• Temperament: They are known to be quite hardy and not particularly aggressive towards keepers .