Camponotus japonicus

This species of the Camponotus genus is one of the most common and widespread ant species in all of China, which might seem strange considering it’s often called the Japanese carpenter ant. It’s also one of the largest species of ants there and quite popular because of their shiny black colours. A lot of people think that colonies of this species consists of a few hundred workers, but nothing could be further from the truth. They average around several thousand workers per colony. Who wouldn’t love to watch thousands of large black ants devour all sorts of prey?

Size & colony type
Queen: aprox. 14mm – 17mm
Workers: aprox. 6mm – 14mm
Soldiers: n/a
Colony type: monogyne
Colony size: about 1,500 – 2,500 workers per colony
Keeping difficulty: Easy. They are relatively easy to keep even though they do require higher temperatures to thrive

Habitat
Distribution: Asia
Habitat: often found in grasslands and forest edges
Natural nest: they often build their nests underground
Suitable formicaria: Ytong-, plaster-, 3D- and acrylicnests are all suitable for this species
Recommended humidity: 50% – 70%
Recommended temperature: 24°C – 28°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: no
Claustral: yes, no need to feed until the first workers arrive
Matingflight period: may – june
Egg to worker: 7 to 9 weeks depending on how they are being kept