Myrmicaria brunnea

These fascinating ants tend to stand out because of their remarkable curved spines and abdomen. They also have little spines on their thorax. They are not known for their aggression, but they will defend themselves in necessary. They raise their gasters when they feel threatened in order to launch a chemical attack that repulses predators. They have an average rate of brood development and require higher temperatures and attention to humidity levels inside their nest.

Size & colony type
Queen: aprox. 12mm – 13mm
Workers: aprox. 5,5mm – 8mm
Soldiers: n/a
Colony type: monogyne
Colony size: about 8,000 – 10,000 workers per colony
Keeping difficulty: Moderate. Require higher temperatures

Habitat
Distribution: Southeast Asia
Habitat: often found in forests and fruit gardens
Natural nest: they often build their nests underground and in pieces of dead wood
Suitable formicaria: Ytong-, plaster-, 3D- and acrylicnests are all suitable for this species
Recommended humidity: 60% – 80%
Recommended temperature: 22°C – 26°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 – september
Egg to worker: 7 to 9 weeks depending on how they are being kept