Colonia de Crematogaster scutellaris

Raising Difficulty: Medium

The colony consists of the queen and one to three worker ants (her daughters), plus the brood of eggs, larvae, and pupae.

Instructions for Raising Crematogaster scutellaris (small black and red ants):

Crematogaster scutellaris is a very common species throughout the Iberian Peninsula. In nature, it feeds primarily on sugary substances from aphids and other insects.

Once the ant colony arrives, the first step is to feed it (sugar water or honey water). To do this, use a syringe. Insert the needle through the ventilation holes in the stopper and add a tiny drop. The drop should not be large, as the ants can drown. Once they have drunk, remove any excess using a cotton swab (be careful not to open the tube, as they may escape).

We can keep the ants in the test tube used for transport, as long as there is a water supply. We will move them when we open the stopper and see them escape. Then, gently, we will introduce them into the ant farm.

If we leave them in the test tube, we must feed them at least once a week.

General details:

Diet: sugary substances (honey, sugar water) and insects (flies, mealworms, crickets, etc.)

Care: Feed the ants 2 or 3 times a week, depending on the colony's growth. Always maintain constant humidity in the ant farm: moisten the soil with 5 ml of water once or more per week. Prevent it from drying out whenever using soil-based ant farms. Keep the ant farm in a dark, cool place and avoid strong vibrations.

Sizes:

Queen: 10-11 mm
Workers: 4-5 mm