Harpegnathos venator

Lat. Name:

Harpegnathos venator

Trivial Name:

-

Taxonomy:

Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribus: Ponerini

Keeping level:

(2) due to its origin, it has higher requirements for humidity and temperature.

Dissemination:

Southeast Asia (India to Malaysia)

Habitat:

tropical rainforest

Colony form:

monogynous

Queen:

Size: 14 - 16mm Color: head, thorax and gaster black, mandibles and legs reddish brown, thorax enlarged

Worker:

Size: 14 - 16mm Color: head, thorax and gaster black, mandibles and legs reddish brown,

Soldiers:

Not available

Male:

Size: - Color: -

Food:

mainly insects e.g. flies, crickets

Humidity:

Arena: 60 - 70% Nest area: 60 - 80%

Temperature:

Arena: 21 - 30°C Nest area: 24- 28°C

Hibernation:

no

Nest:

Earth nests in moist clay

Formicarium type:

Ytong/gypsum nest with external arena, XL farm with red sand-clay soil, natural setup.

Formicarium size:

Size: L - XL

Substrate:

Farm: sand clay red, Ytong, gypsum Arena: sand clay

Planting:

tropical rainforest

Decoration:

Branches, leaf litter, stones, cork

Description:

This species of ants can jump about 8-10cm, run backwards and has very good eyesight. Mandibles are shaped similar to saber tooth when seen in profile. They show an interesting behavior when hunting by wiggling their gaster before attacking. The animals can climb glass very poorly or not at all.

Development:

Swarm flight: with the beginning of the rainy season, gamergate formation possible all year round

Foundation: semi claustral

Colony size: mostly 200 to maximum 400 animals

Offers quantity:

a mated queen and workers (see selection); brood (varies according to season and development)

Web links:

- Forum

- Source reference