Camponotus lasiselene

This is yet another interesting species of the Camponotus Genus. These little wonders of nature like to nest on trees. They find little crevices to build their nests in, which makes finding them quite tricky. It is precisely because they are pretty difficult to find that there is limited information available about this species when it comes to keeping them.

Size & colony type
Queen: aprox. 8mm – 9mm
Workers: aprox. 3mm – 3,5mm
Soldiers: n/a
Colony type: monogyne
Colony size: about 4,500 – 6,000 workers per colony
Keeping difficulty: Fairly easy. They do require higher temperatures

Habitat
Distribution: Southeast Asia
Habitat: often found in tropical rainforests in hollow pieces on trees
Natural nest: they often build their nests in dead wood
Suitable formicaria: Ytong-, plaster- and 3D nests are all suitable for this species
Recommended humidity: 50% – 70%
Recommended temperature: 23°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: june – july
Egg to worker: 8 to 10 weeks depending on how they are being kept