Aphaenogaster senilis – Colony with Queen and Workers

Description

The Ant Farming Charter on our Ants and Aphaenogaster senilis:
– Raised by a specialist in optimal conditions, guaranteed free from parasites,
– Health demonstrated by the laying of the queen and the presence of brood at shipment,
– No “boost” ( adding brood or external workers to sell the colonies faster),
– Delivery guaranteed in good health: partial refund in case of loss of workers, total in case of loss of the queen (if delivered within 48 hours),
– Shipping possible from -12°C to +40°C thanks to our optional isothermal packaging,
– Supplied with a care sheet and a health sheet,
– Species present in France, non-invasive and not threatened,
– Colony recovery and costs covered if you wish to part with it (see conditions).
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Aphaenogaster senilis is an unusual ant meeting the expectations of demanding breeders and looking for a hunter with a primitive behavior. These main characteristics are:

• Very particular and primitive morphology, matte black appearance with white hair, good size,
• High aggressiveness (very enterprising, does not hesitate to hunt, explore, climb on the finger),
• Little or no fear of dust mites, dirt, etc.
• Very limited need for wintering (2-3 months at room temperature is sufficient),
• Poor climber, tries very little to get out of the hunting area,
• Larvae capable of feeding directly on prey,
• Produces winged sexuals quickly, easier to reproduce in captivity.

Its qualities have only one equal: its great rarity. Little present in France and practicing swarming by cuttings rather than by the massive sending of queens, it is unfortunately rare to see someone looking after such a species. However, it is well known and studied but above all very easy to breed. It rises very well in a refillable water tube connected to a hunting area, or to any type of quality artificial anthill.

We therefore exceptionally offer colonies with brood to guarantee their good health. They are delivered in tubes for easier breeding, unlike some low-cost colonies supplied in boxes by Spanish collectors.

The rapid development of Aphaenogaster senilis requires a regular supply of insects, which is a perfect opportunity to observe its hunting behavior. You will be able to notice that it is able to recruit workers to finish its prey thanks to ultrasounds produced by a scraper located at the back of the thorax. A worker can therefore request help from a distance, without pheromones and without contact.

Workers bite hard and can sometimes sting, but this has no effect on human skin. Once the prey is dead, it will be brought back to the nest. This is where you will notice that the larvae sit directly on the prey and feed on their own! Aphaenogaster senilis is aggressive and does not hesitate to hunt various insects but fortunately it appreciates many food sources and is not difficult to feed: Sunburst, baby biscuit crumbs (higher in protein), boiled egg, tuna , etc.

Spider hunting by Aphaenogaster senilis:

If each Aphaenogaster senilis feeds alone, queen and workers included, it is because of its absence of a social stomach which prevents the workers from practicing trophallaxis (exchange of food between individuals). Thus, the latter cut the food and give it directly to the larvae when it is solid or deposit gravel in the liquids to bring them back to the nest soaked in food to share!

This behavior is sometimes observed with wet gravel that the workers bring back to the nest in order to regulate its humidity.

It also quickly produces winged males and females and swarming in captivity is possible.

Attention: It is advisable to move the colony to its new habitat by emptying the tube in the feeding area. It can indeed happen that the workers attack each other during a natural move (by connecting the tube to the new nest through the connecting hole) because of their territorial behavior.

Non-Latin:		Aphaenogaster senilis
Not common:		–
Taxonomy:		Subfamily: Myrmicinae Group: Pheidolini
Difficulty level :		(1) Some requirements on food and temperature
Distribution:		Mediterranean region (South of France, Spain etc)
Habitat:		Dry forests, roadsides, sandy soils and sun-exposed meadows
Number of queens:		monogynous, tolerates only one queen per colony
Queen :		Size: 9mm Color: matte black with white hairiness
Workers:		Size: 5.5 – 7mm Colour: matte black with white hair
Soldier:		not present
Males:		Smaller than queen, winged, black, frequently seen in colonies
Feed :		Fruits. Lots of freshly killed insects and solid protein (baby biscuits, hard-boiled egg, fish, raw meat).
Humidity :		Weak to medium, but never completely dry.
Temperature:		21 to 24°C may be sufficient for development but a hot spot of 27°C during the day is recommended.
Hibernation:		Mild diapause for 2 to 3 months around 15°C. Continue to feed and moisten.
Type of natural nest:		Dug into the ground. Often colonizes existing cavities (wasp's nest, rodent tunnel etc).
Type of nest:		Compatible with our nests (digging not recommended), acrylic, plaster, aerated concrete, etc.
Nest size:		Provide a minimum size of 16cm and a hunting area
Substrate:		Possibility of providing a substrate but this species digs little
Plants:		Not necessary
Decoration:		Sand, dead wood, rocks
Particularity:		The larvae feed directly on insects.
Development :		Foundation by cuttings: the fertilized queen leaves the nest with some of the workers. The colony can reach 10,000 workers.
Quantity sold :		1 fertilized queen + brood + workers according to option

Photo & breeding sheet Aphaenogaster senilis on Antarium .