The numbers
Enclosure
Test-tube founding; small nest + outworld (fine barrier - tiny)
Diet
Sugar/honeydew + insect protein · Sugar always; protein 2-3x/week
Temperature
26-30C
Humidity
50-70%
Identity
Order / Family
Hymenoptera
Origin
Pantropical; many native TH species
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Beginner–Intermediate
Commonality
Very common wild; occasionally kept
Adult size
Worker 2-4mm, heart-shaped gaster; queen ~6-8mm
Lifespan
Queen ~3-6 yrs; colony perennial, often large
Growth rate
Fast
Activity & niche
Arboreal/ground, day/night; carton or twig nests
Temperament
Fast, defensive; harmless to keeper
Venom / defense
Raises gaster and dabs defensive venom; no real sting to humans; harmless
Price (THB)
indicative ~150-500
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
26-30C
Humidity
50-70%
Min. enclosure
Test-tube founding; small nest + outworld (fine barrier - tiny)
Substrate
Ytong/acrylic or carton; sand-soil outworld
Hides / decor / water
Twigs; water reservoir; hides
Diet
Staple food
Sugar/honeydew + insect protein
Feeding frequency
Sugar always; protein 2-3x/week
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not handled
Communal
Single colony; some polygyne
Defense / stress signs
Gaster-raising 'acrobat' posture, mass recruitment
Reproduction
Reproduction
Claustral/semi-claustral founding after nuptial flight
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsEscapes; mold from overfeeding
Red flags / quarantine
SignsTiny - strong barrier; never release non-natives
Good to know
- Flips its heart-shaped abdomen over its head to smear venom when alarmed
Others in this group
Asian weaver ant (green tree ant)Oecophylla smaragdinaNicobar carpenter antCamponotus nicobarensisAsian spiny/golden weaver antPolyrhachis divesAsian marauder/power antCarebara diversa (formerly Pheidologeton)Asian jumping antHarpegnathos venatorBlack garden antLasius nigerMediterranean harvester antMessor barbarusFellah carpenter antCamponotus fellah