Lat. Name:

Camponotus sylvaticus

Trivial Name:

-

Taxonomy:

Subfamily: Formicinae (Scaled ants) Tribus: Camponotini

Posture Class:

(1) easy to keep ant species

Dissemination:

Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal)

Habitat:

Open spaces and forest edges in the Mediterranean region

Colony form:

monogynous

Queen:

Size: 12- 19mm Color: black head, black to reddish brown thorax and black to red gaster.

Worker:

Size: 5 - 17mm Color: black head, black to reddish brown thorax and black to red gaster, polymorphic (minor, media and major workers).

Soldiers:

Not available

Male:

Size: - Color: -

Food:

Honey water and insects e.g. pair-winged flies, mosquitoes, jellies

Humidity:

Arena: 50 - 70% Nest area: 50 - 70%

Temperature:

Arena: 21 - 30°C Nest area: 20- 28°C

Hibernation:

Slide break from November to February

Nest shape:

Earth nests or in dead (wood)

Formicarium species:

L-XL Digfix Ant Farm, Ytong/ Plaster Nest, Sand Clay Ant Farm, Cork Nest

Formicarium size:

Size: L - XL

Substrate:

Farm: Digfix, Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam

Planting:

Mediterranean

Decoration:

Branches, stones and e.g. needles or cones

Description:

Camponotus sylvaticus is a rather large ant species from southern Europe. They like to nest on forest edges in open areas, in ground nests or in dead (wood). This species develops a bit slower than e.g. Lasius, but faster than most other Camponotus species. It can be kept at room temperature without problems, but develops faster with a little warmth.

Development:

Swarm flight: -

Foundation: occurs claustral (without feeding)

Colony size: several 1000 individuals

Offers quantity:

a mated queen and workers (see selection); brood (varies according to season and development)

Web links:

- Forum

- Source reference