Camponotus herculeanus

Ants of Camponotus herculeanus are one of the largest ants in the world. At the same time they are one of the discreet ones as well. One very interesting ability of this species is that they sometimes use sound to communicate with each other. The workers beat on the wooden surfaces of their nest to warn the rest of the colony.

Size & colony type
Queen: aprox. 14mm – 17mm
Workers: aprox. 6mm – 13mm
Soldiers: n/a
Colony type: monogyne
Colony size: about 8,000 – 10,000 workers per colony
Keeping difficulty: Easy.

Habitat
Distribution: Southern Europe
Habitat: often found in desert-like area’s
Natural nest: they often build their nests in dead wood
Suitable formicaria: Ytong-, plaster-, 3D- and acrylicnests are all suitable for this species
Recommended humidity: 50% – 60%
Recommended temperature: 21°C – 24°C
Nutrition: a sugar source such as honey or sugarwater and a protein source such as prey insects like crickets or fruitflies. Insect jelly is also a suitable feeder since it contains both sugar and protein and varius other beneficial components

Misc
Hibernation: yes, from the end of october till the end of march
Claustral: yes, no need to feed until the first workers arrive
Matingflight period: july
Egg to worker: 8 to 10 weeks depending on how they are being kept