Ant Care Tips

Camponotus chromaiodes grows slowly in the first year or two but colonies can grow relatively quickly with good feeding. This species is not very picky and most feeder insects will work. Though C. chromaiodes can withstand subzero temps, a temperature of 35-50 is recommended for diapause. Small larvae should be the only brood; all other stages of brood will die.

Formicidae -> Formicinae -> Camponotini -> Camponotus -> Camponotus sensu stricto -> Camponotus chromaiodes

Nylanderia vividla is a bicolored species of crazy ant that can be found in woodlands across much of the United States. This species is a generalist and will take all commonly used feeder insects for protein and honey, sugar water, and fruits for sugars. This species needs a 3-4 month diapause period at 35-50 degrees.

Formicidae -> Formicinae -> Lasiini   -> Nylanderia -> Nylanderia vividula

Colobopsis obliqua are small, arboreal ants that have phragmotic queens and majors. This species may seem challenging to keep, but they are not picky in food choice. I have found that this species takes best to a diet of sugar water and mealworms. For diapause, this species will have small larvae and should be kept at a temperature of 35-50.

Formicidae -> Formicinae -> Camponotini -> Colobopsis -> Colobopsis obliqua

Temnothorax ambiguus is one of the smallest claustral Temnothorax. This species is also very easy and does not require much care. Colonies benefit from a small amount of heat. During diapause, a temperature range of 40-50 will work best. 

Formicidae -> Myrmicinae -> Crematogastrini -> Temnothorax -> Temnothorax schaumii-group -> Temnothorax ambiguus

Pheidole bicarinata grows extremely fast. Due to their small size, this species can squeeze through small gaps in formicaria. The best barriers for containing this species are talc, talcohol (a mix of rubbing alcohol and talc), and fluon. I have had success feeding this species mealworms, dubia roaches, crickets, and fruit flies for proteins and sugar water and apple for sugars.

Formicidae -> Myrmicinae -> Attini ->   Pheidole -> Pheidole pilifera-group   -> Pheidole bicarinata

Vollenhovia emeryi have the weirdest biology out of any of the ants listed on my site. There are two "variants" of this species, one of which produces long-winged female alates, and the other, which produces both brachypterous alates and the normal long-winged queens. The variant invasive to the New World is the one with brachypterous queens, which means that queens of this species do not need to mate in order to lay viable eggs. Brood grows very slowly; in the wild, only one generation of workers ecloses each season. Growth is quicker in captivity, but is still lengthy. In my opinion, the best part about this species is their insane feeding response. Foragers will find food, immediately head back to their nest, and march back out with a long line of nestmates. Ideally, this species should be put in diapause at 40-50F.

Formicidae -> Myrmicinae -> Crematogastrini -> Vollenhovia -> Vollehovia emeryi 

Nylanderia flavipes is an invasive species of crazy ant from East Asia. This species is brightly colored and grows at a medium-fast speed. During diapause, a temperature range of 40-50 is preferred.

Formicidae -> Formicinae -> Lasiini   -> Nylanderia -> Nylanderia flavipes