Crematogaster castanea

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Crematogaster castanea

Reference : CRFOUR-005

Latin name: Crematogaster castanea

Taxonomy: Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribes: Crematogastrini

Breeding level: Beginner

Geographic distribution: Kenya, Tanzania

Habitat: Clear pine forests

Colony form: Monogyne

Queen: Size: 9 - 10mm Color: Orange red with black

Workers: Size: 4 - 6mm Color: Orange-red with black

Soldier: No

Male: Size: 3 - 5mm Color:

Food: Honeydew and insectivores, such as mealworms, flies, mosquitoes, crickets etc.

Humidity: Hunting area: 30 - 50% Nest: 50 - 70%

Temperature: Hunting area: 25 - 30°C Nest: 22 - 28°C

Hibernation: Yes, from the end of November to the beginning of March between 12 and 15°C

Type of nest: Plexiglas nest, nest with tubes, reconstituted stone nest.

Description: This species is called “nesting in the woods” or “lignicole” (which lives in the woods) or even an “acrobat” ant because they defend themselves by a particular means. Indeed, they have the ability to be able to raise their abdomen above their heads and bead (create) at the end of their sting a droplet of venom containing acetic acid. The vaporized acetic acid plays an alarm role: the worker who emits venom warns other workers of danger. As the period between laying eggs and the appearance of the worker is long, you will have to wait until the first fortnight of workers to see growth accelerate. They all have an abdomen shaped like an ace of spades. This wood ant breeds aphids (in the wild) in order to feed on sugary liquids.

Development: Swarming from early April to June.

Foundation: Takes place claustrally (without feeding) Development: 30 days from egg to worker (depending on temperature)

Colony size: Up to 30,000 individuals, the queen can reach the age of 12 years.

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