The numbers
Enclosure
Not advised to keep; if studied, fully escape-proof + fluon; check local pest rules
Diet
Omnivore: seeds, insects, sugars · N/A
Temperature
26-32C
Humidity
40-70%
Identity
Order / Family
Hymenoptera
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; recognised invasive/pest
Difficulty
Not recommended
Commonality
Ubiquitous wild pest; not sold as a hobby ant
Adult size
Worker 3-6mm polymorphic; queen ~8mm
Lifespan
Queen several yrs; colonies large, fast, sometimes multi-queen
Growth rate
Very fast
Activity & niche
Ground, day/night; aggressive scavenger/seed harvester
Temperament
Highly aggressive, swarming
Venom / defense
Painful STING with alkaloid venom; pustules; common cause of anaphylaxis in Thai patients
Price (THB)
Not sold as pet (pest); wild/free
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
26-32C
Humidity
40-70%
Min. enclosure
Not advised to keep; if studied, fully escape-proof + fluon; check local pest rules
Substrate
Soil mounds in the wild
Hides / decor / water
N/A - discouraged
Diet
Staple food
Omnivore: seeds, insects, sugars
Feeding frequency
N/A
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Never handle - painful stings, allergy risk
Communal
Colonial; often polygyne supercolonies
Defense / stress signs
Mass boiling swarm, coordinated stinging
Reproduction
Reproduction
Claustral founding after nuptial flights; prolific; polygyne spread
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsN/A (pest)
Red flags / quarantine
SignsINVASIVE/medical pest - do not culture or release; contain and report if infesting stock
Good to know
- Included as an honest warning: this is the sting behind most Thai 'fire ant' hospital cases
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