Polyergus samurai
| Latin Name : |  |
Polyergus samurai |
| Trivialname: |  |
slavemaker ant |
| Taxonomy: |  |
Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini |
| Keepinglevel: |  |
(2) show higher requirements towards climate and nutrition |
| Distribution: |  |
China, Korea, Japan, Russia |
| Habitate: |  |
inhabits sunexposed meadow areas |
| Colonyform: |  |
monogyne |
| Queen: |  |
Size: 7,5 - 8mm Colour: black, mandibles, legs and antennae reddish black |
| Worker: |  |
Size: 5 - 6mm Colour: blackish brown to chestnut brown |
| Soldier: |  |
not present |
| Males: |  |
Size: - Colour: - |
| Nutrition: |  |
Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos, small fruitflys or mirco- crickets are the best for these ants |
| rel. Airhumidity |  |
Arena: 50 - 70% Nestpart: 50 - 80% |
| Temperature: |  |
Arena: 21 - 28°C Nestpart: 24 - 26°C |
| Hibernation: |  |
yes |
| Nestform: |  |
Build their nest in soil, under stones |
| Kind of Formicaria |  |
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster |
| Formicariasize |  |
Size: S - M |
| Substrate: |  |
Farm: Sand- Loam Arena: Sand-Loam, |
| Planting: |  |
similar to meadow areas |
| Decoration: |  |
Branches, Roots, leaves, |
| Description: |  |
This species is a parasite to host Formica (Serviformica) species, e.g. Formica (Serviformica) fusca. They steal their larvae and pupae and then use them as slaves. Therefore they time and time again have to be provided with new larvae/puppae of Serviformica. So it's better suitable for experienced keepers. |
| Development: |  |
matingflight: - founding: social parasitär colonysize: a few hundred workers |
| Quantity: |  |
one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development) |
| Weblinks: |  |
- Forum - Reference |