The numbers
Enclosure
Founding: test tube; grow into plaster/ytong or acrylic nest + outworld (S nest from ~650 THB)
Diet
Sugar water/honey + insect protein (crickets, roaches, mealworm) · Sugar always available; protein 2-3x/week
Temperature
26-30C
Humidity
50-70%
Identity
Order / Family
Hymenoptera
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
Very common in the SEA/TH hobby; top starter species
Adult size
Worker 6-12mm polymorphic; queen ~15mm
Lifespan
Queen ~5-10 yrs; colony perennial
Growth rate
Fast (rapid brood, big colonies)
Activity & niche
Ground/arboreal generalist, diurnal-nocturnal
Temperament
Active, bold, not dangerous
Venom / defense
Bite + formic acid; no sting; harmless
Price (THB)
300-950 (colony with workers, TH shops; verified)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
26-30C
Humidity
50-70%
Min. enclosure
Founding: test tube; grow into plaster/ytong or acrylic nest + outworld (S nest from ~650 THB)
Substrate
Plaster/ytong/acrylic nest; outworld sand-soil mix
Hides / decor / water
Hydrated nest (water tower/sponge); outworld foraging decor; test-tube water
Diet
Staple food
Sugar water/honey + insect protein (crickets, roaches, mealworm)
Feeding frequency
Sugar always available; protein 2-3x/week
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not handled; observe only
Communal
Eusocial colony; do not mix colonies (fatal fighting)
Defense / stress signs
Erratic running, brood-carrying, gaster raising
Reproduction
Reproduction
Fully-claustral founding after nuptial flight; single queen raises first workers without feeding
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMold/mites from overfeeding; dehydration; founding failure
Red flags / quarantine
SignsUse fluon/barrier; never release; confirm queen laying
Good to know
- Explosive brood growth makes colonies balloon within a season - a favourite first ant
Others in this group
Asian weaver ant (green tree ant)Oecophylla smaragdinaAsian spiny/golden weaver antPolyrhachis divesAsian marauder/power antCarebara diversa (formerly Pheidologeton)Asian jumping antHarpegnathos venatorBlack garden antLasius nigerMediterranean harvester antMessor barbarusFellah carpenter antCamponotus fellahTiger carpenter antCamponotus maculatus (subnudus)