Formica (Serviformica) cunicularia
| Latin Name: |  |
Formica (Serviformica) cunicularia |
| Trivialname: |  |
Redbacked Slaveant |
| Taxonomy: |  |
Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini |
| Keeping Level: |  |
(1) however in small basins they make easily use of formic acid |
| Distribution: |  |
all above Europe, North Africa |
| Habitat: |  |
prefers open sunexposed areas, often be found in anthropogenic disturbed areas |
| Colonyform: |  |
monogyn, rarely polygyne |
| Queen: |  |
Size: 9 - 11 mm Colour: mainly grey with reddish legs and parts of the thorax |
| Worker: |  |
Size: 4 - 6,5 mm Colour: head and gaster grey, thorax reddish |
| Soldier: |  |
not present |
| Males: |  |
Size: 9 - 10 mm Colour: black , slim |
| Nutrition: |  |
Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos |
| Airhumidity: |  |
Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60% |
| Temperature: |  |
Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C |
| Hibernation: |  |
yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C |
| Nestform: |  |
Build their nest under stones or in small mounds of soil |
| Kind of Formicaria: |  |
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster, Digfix |
| Formicaria size: |  |
Size: M |
| Substrate: |  |
Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam |
| Planting: |  |
similar to Forestedges with moss, grass and other plants |
| Decoration: |  |
Branches, Roots, Treeneedels, |
| Description: |  |
Can be found at sunny, dry places and at forest edges. Normally shy but huge colonies can be very aggressive and fearless towards other ant species. The entrances to the main nest are always well hidden. They can often be found as a slaveant for Raptiformica sanguinea or Polyergus rufescens |
| Development: |  |
matingflight: on warm days end of june to august early middays , founding: claustral (without feeding) but also Pleometrosis is possible. from Egg to adult worker approx. 8 - 10 Weeks. colonysize: up to 2. 000 Individuals |
| Quantity: |  |
one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development) |
| Weblinks: |  |
- Forum - Reference |