Iridomyrmex bicknelli – Colony with queen and workers

Description

These are the Iridomyrmex bicknelli.

This species was selected by Fourmiculture for its ease of rearing and intensive activity. Limited experience is all that is needed to quickly establish a large colony. Egg-laying is significant and development is rapid, potentially year-round, although a rest period is recommended as a precaution during the Australian winter, approximately two months at room temperature between 15 and 22°C. Colony management is very easy, and its voracious appetite allows it to collect insects, solid foods, and liquids.

Like an Australian "super Lasius niger," this small species is found across much of the country and adapts easily to many situations. Iridomyrmex bicknelli is one of the most widespread species in Australia, although it differs significantly in size, color, and appearance from Iridomyrmex purpureus.

This species is polygynous and Iridomyrmex bicknelli colonies can contain many queens and workers.

When hunting and foraging, Iridomyrmex bicknelli explores its environment and forms pheromone trails to guide as many workers as possible between the nest and the food source. This species is rather aggressive, and other species are often forced to hide and forage only outside of Iridomyrmex bicknelli's active hours.

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The Fourmiculture Charter on legislation and ethics:

Fourmiculture offers this exceptional species originating from Australia, a country that combines both the most impressive species in the world, and extremely strict legislation on their collection and export.

Because many exotic species for sale are of fraudulent origin, Fourmiculture is working with the authorities. The colony will arrive with:

1/ an export certificate
2/ an Australian veterinary certificate
3/ a health and legal information sheet.

These documents attest to our official authorization to collect and export a limited number of queens of this species. Each colony is checked individually to confirm the absence of parasites and the presence of brood.

We import them via ultra-fast carrier, regardless of the cost, to ensure safe transport. The queens are collected during swarming, without destroying nests, and in extremely limited quantities.

Fourmiculture is also an establishment recognized by the French veterinary services, in possession of a certificate of competence for the breeding and sale of ants, validated by myrmecologists, civil and environmental protection services (decision No. 2016195-0002 of the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations).

As a private individual, keeping this species does not require any authorization as it is neither protected, nor threatened, nor invasive, nor dangerous. However, we remind you that the bite of soldier beetles can be very painful and that eyes must be kept away from their formic acid spray (short range). Finally, releasing the colony into the wild is prohibited, and we will buy back your colonies for up to €25.
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Fourmiculture Charter on this exotic species:

1/ Health demonstrated by the queen laying and the presence of brood at the time of shipment, guaranteed parasite-free,
2/ No "boost" (addition of brood or external workers to sell colonies faster, the queen has been raised since swarming),
3/ Guaranteed delivery in good health: partial refund in case of loss of workers, total in case of loss of the queen (if delivered within 48 hours),
4/ Breeding guide offered and health record provided,
5/ Colony taken back up to €25 and costs covered if you wish to part with it if colony returned in good health (see conditions).

Success Guarantee:
We only sell perfectly healthy colonies and guarantee them during transport. For those who are extra cautious, we offer a 3-month Success Guarantee: in the event of the loss of the colony up to 3 months after delivery, for any reason whatsoever, a new colony will be shipped free of charge (subject to availability, upon presentation of photographic evidence within 91 days of transport).

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The Fourmiculture Charter on delivery:

Our experience allows us to virtually eliminate losses during transport, and we use specially designed and tested packaging. Your order will be delivered by courier within 48 hours, and any loss of the colony during transport will automatically entitle you to a 100% refund.

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More information on Iridomyrmex bicknelli:

– Queen size: approximately 6 mm
– Worker size: approximately 3 mm
– Rearing temperature: 27°C during the day, 20-24°C at night
– Hibernation: None, or a short rest period at around 15-20°C for 2 months in the autumn.
– Food: Sugary and protein-rich liquids, small live insects (crickets size 1-2, fruit flies, mosquitoes, etc.) or dead insects, frost, meat, etc.
– Humidity requirements: medium.
– Polygynous (possibility of having several queens per colony)
– Maximum colony population: estimated at several tens of thousands of workers.
– Color: Black
– Estimated maximum lifespan of the queen: 7 to 15 years

Photo: Copyright Antkeepingdepot