The numbers
Enclosure
Founding: test tube (queen+brood); then arboreal outworld with live plant/mesh - not a plaster nest species
Diet
Sugar water/honeydew + insect protein (crickets) · Sugar daily; protein 2-3x/week
Temperature
28-32C
Humidity
60-80%
Identity
Order / Family
Hymenoptera
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Advanced
Commonality
Very common wild; iconic but tricky as a pet
Adult size
Worker 5-10mm (major ~10mm); queen 15-18mm, green-tinged
Lifespan
Queen up to ~8 yrs; colony perennial/huge; captive colonies often decline
Growth rate
Fast when thriving
Activity & niche
Arboreal, diurnal, highly territorial canopy weaver
Temperament
Very aggressive, fast, cooperative swarm attacker
Venom / defense
Strong bite + formic acid spray (no sting); painful but harmless to humans
Price (THB)
250-600 (mated queen, TH shops; verified)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
28-32C
Humidity
60-80%
Min. enclosure
Founding: test tube (queen+brood); then arboreal outworld with live plant/mesh - not a plaster nest species
Substrate
No dug nest; weaves silk-leaf nests; potted plant + netting/branches
Hides / decor / water
Living branches/leaves to weave; humid outworld; water droplets/feeder
Diet
Staple food
Sugar water/honeydew + insect protein (crickets)
Feeding frequency
Sugar daily; protein 2-3x/week
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Not handled; bites and sprays acid
Communal
Eusocial; one colony only; extremely territorial - never mix
Defense / stress signs
Gaping mandibles, acid smell, mass recruitment to threat
Reproduction
Reproduction
Fully-claustral single-queen founding after nuptial flight; workers weave nests with larval silk; hard to keep past founding
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsCaptive colony collapse, dehydration, protein deficiency
Red flags / quarantine
SignsUsually wild-caught; needs space+plants; escapees bite - barrier essential
Good to know
- Larvae are living glue-guns: workers squeeze them to bind leaves with silk
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