The numbers
Enclosure
Test-tube founding; bioactive soil nest + outworld
Diet
Live/pre-killed insects; little sugar · Protein 2-3x/week
Temperature
25-29C
Humidity
60-80%
Identity
Order / Family
Hymenoptera
Origin
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Intermediate–Advanced
Commonality
Popular novelty; periodic in SEA trade
Adult size
Worker 9-13mm; queen ~13-15mm; long snap-jaws
Lifespan
Queen several yrs; small-moderate colonies
Growth rate
Slow-moderate
Activity & niche
Ground/leaf-litter predator, nocturnal
Temperament
Nervous, fast; snapping mandibles + sting
Venom / defense
Spring-loaded mandibles (snap) + functional STING; painful, generally harmless
Price (THB)
indicative ~300-800
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
25-29C
Humidity
60-80%
Min. enclosure
Test-tube founding; bioactive soil nest + outworld
Substrate
Moist soil/cocopeat + leaf litter (bioactive)
Hides / decor / water
Leaf litter, cork hides; high humidity; water dish
Diet
Staple food
Live/pre-killed insects; little sugar
Feeding frequency
Protein 2-3x/week
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Do not handle - snaps and stings
Communal
Single colony; do not mix
Defense / stress signs
Jaw-snapping (can launch itself), sting posture
Reproduction
Reproduction
Semi-claustral founding after nuptial flight; queen often needs feeding
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsFeeding refusal, dehydration, slow founding
Red flags / quarantine
SignsSting + escape via jaw-jump; secure lid; never release
Good to know
- Mandibles snap shut at over 60 m/s - among the fastest movements in the animal kingdom
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