The numbers
Enclosure
Test-tube founding; plaster nest + outworld
Diet
Sugar water + insect protein · Sugar always; protein 2x/week
Temperature
20-25C active; needs ~5-15C winter diapause
Humidity
40-60%
Identity
Order / Family
Hymenoptera
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
The classic beginner ant globally
Adult size
Worker 3-5mm; queen ~9mm, dark
Lifespan
Queen up to ~20-28 yrs (record); colony perennial
Growth rate
Moderate-fast (needs winter diapause)
Activity & niche
Ground forager, diurnal; honeydew tender
Temperament
Docile, hardy
Venom / defense
Bite + formic acid; no sting; harmless
Price (THB)
indicative ~200-600 (imported, temperate)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
20-25C active; needs ~5-15C winter diapause
Humidity
40-60%
Min. enclosure
Test-tube founding; plaster nest + outworld
Substrate
Plaster/ytong nest; sand-soil outworld
Hides / decor / water
Water reservoir; hides
Diet
Staple food
Sugar water + insect protein
Feeding frequency
Sugar always; protein 2x/week
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not handled
Communal
Single colony; do not mix
Defense / stress signs
Scattering, brood-carrying
Reproduction
Reproduction
Fully-claustral founding after summer nuptial flights; REQUIRES cool winter diapause to thrive - awkward in tropical TH
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsNo diapause = decline; mold; dehydration
Red flags / quarantine
SignsNon-native + needs cold - hard in TH heat; never release; barrier
Good to know
- A famous captive queen (Lasius) lived ~28 years - the longevity record among insects
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 venatorMediterranean harvester antMessor barbarusFellah carpenter antCamponotus fellahTiger carpenter antCamponotus maculatus (subnudus)