Latin Name: |
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Plagiolepis pygmaea |
Trivialname: |
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- |
Taxonomy: |
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Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Plagiolepidini |
Keeping Level: |
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(1) Species from Southern Europe with higher requirements towards food and climate but also escape prevention |
Distribution: |
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Southern Germany, Southern Europe, North Africa |
Habitat: |
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Xerothermic meadows |
Colonyform: |
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polygyne |
Queen: |
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Size: 3 - 4mm Colour: shiny brown, antenna and legs yellow |
Worker: |
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Size: 1,3 - 2mm Colour: shiny brown, antenna and legs yellow |
Soldier: |
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- |
Males: |
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Size: 1,5 - 2mm Colour: brown, antenna and legs yellow |
Nutrition |
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Honeywater, insect like e.g flies, mosquitos and other dipterens |
Airhumidity: |
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Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60% |
Temperature: |
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Arena: 18 - 30°C Nestpart: 21 - 28°C |
Hibernation: |
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yes, from end of November until end of February at 15°C |
Nestform: |
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Build their nest in soil and under stones |
Kind of Formicaria: |
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Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest, Acrylflatfarm |
Formicaria size: |
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Size: S - M |
Substrate: |
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Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam |
Planting: |
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similar to savanah areas with grass and other plants |
Decoration: |
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Branches, roots, treeneedels, stones |
Description: |
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This species is a small ant from South Europe. They are very aggressive against other ants and can recrute quickly towards feeding places. They need a huge amount of food so with a lack they try to escape very fast. Therefore it is nesseccary to have a good escape prevention. |
Development: |
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matingflight: June - August
founding: claustral (without feeding)
colonysize: up to 10.000 Individuals |
Quantity: |
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one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development) |
Weblinks: |
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- Forum
- Reference |