The numbers
Enclosure
Semi-claustral founding (feed queen); soil nest + escape-proof outworld
Diet
Live insects + sugar/nectar · Protein 2-3x/week; sugar always
Temperature
20-26C
Humidity
40-60%
Identity
Order / Family
Hymenoptera
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES (but AU export tightly controlled)
Difficulty
Advanced (experts only)
Commonality
Iconic but rarely/legally hard to obtain outside AU
Adult size
Worker 15-40mm (huge); queen to ~40mm
Lifespan
Queen several yrs; small colonies
Growth rate
Slow
Activity & niche
Ground/arboreal predator, diurnal, superb vision
Temperament
Very aggressive, jumps, stings readily
Venom / defense
Powerful STING (medically significant; can cause anaphylaxis) + big jaws
Price (THB)
indicative ~800-2,500 (imported, AU export-restricted)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
20-26C
Humidity
40-60%
Min. enclosure
Semi-claustral founding (feed queen); soil nest + escape-proof outworld
Substrate
Soil/sand nest; leaf-litter outworld
Hides / decor / water
Hides, hunting space; water dish
Diet
Staple food
Live insects + sugar/nectar
Feeding frequency
Protein 2-3x/week; sugar always
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Never handle - dangerous sting
Communal
Single colony; do not mix
Defense / stress signs
Head-on tracking, jumping, sting-first defense
Reproduction
Reproduction
Semi-claustral founding after nuptial flight; queen hunts while founding
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsFounding failure, feeding refusal
Red flags / quarantine
SignsLegality: AU restricts export - verify source; severe sting; never release
Good to know
- Has the best eyesight of any ant and will track and leap at a threat from a distance
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