The numbers
Enclosure
Semi-claustral founding needs small prey + humidity; grow into large soil/ytong nest + escape-proof outworld
Diet
Sugar water + heavy insect protein; seeds taken too · Sugar always; protein 3x/week (high demand)
Temperature
26-30C
Humidity
60-80%
Identity
Order / Family
Hymenoptera
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Intermediate–Advanced
Commonality
Sought-after for extreme size range; periodic in trade
Adult size
Minor worker ~1.5mm, major/soldier to 10mm+; queen up to ~35mm
Lifespan
Queen long-lived; colony perennial, can reach hundreds of thousands
Growth rate
Fast once established
Activity & niche
Ground raider, nocturnal; mass foraging raids
Temperament
Aggressive en masse; large soldiers bite hard
Venom / defense
Bite + weak sting; soldiers can pierce skin; mostly harmless
Price (THB)
indicative ~500-1,500
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
26-30C
Humidity
60-80%
Min. enclosure
Semi-claustral founding needs small prey + humidity; grow into large soil/ytong nest + escape-proof outworld
Substrate
Moist soil/clay nest; humid outworld
Hides / decor / water
Deep humid nest; water tower; dark hides
Diet
Staple food
Sugar water + heavy insect protein; seeds taken too
Feeding frequency
Sugar always; protein 3x/week (high demand)
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not handled; soldiers bite
Communal
Single colony; do not mix
Defense / stress signs
Mass recruitment, soldiers front-line, brood evacuation
Reproduction
Reproduction
Semi-claustral founding after nuptial flight (queen needs food); huge size dimorphism in workers
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsFounding failure (must feed queen), mold, dehydration
Red flags / quarantine
SignsTiny minors escape easily - fine barrier + tight lid; never release
Good to know
- Has one of the largest size gaps in ants: giant queen, near-microscopic minor workers
Others in this group
Asian weaver ant (green tree ant)Oecophylla smaragdinaNicobar carpenter antCamponotus nicobarensisAsian spiny/golden weaver antPolyrhachis divesAsian jumping antHarpegnathos venatorBlack garden antLasius nigerMediterranean harvester antMessor barbarusFellah carpenter antCamponotus fellahTiger carpenter antCamponotus maculatus (subnudus)