Camponotus nicobarensis Colony with Queen and Workers

Description

Camponotus nicobarensis is covered by the Ant Culture Charter on our Exotic Ants:
– Non-threatened species, non-invasive, harmless to humans,
– Health demonstrated by the laying of the queen and the presence of brood on shipment,
– No “boost” (adding brood or external workers to sell the colonies faster),
– 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 ),
– Breeding guide offered and health sheet provided,
– Parasite-free guarantees,
– Colony taken back and costs covered if you wish to part with it (see conditions).
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A beautiful species that we strongly recommend to start with the exotics: particularly fast growth, sufficient size for good observations and very easy breeding without overwintering. The French Camponotus are appreciated for their enormous size but often disappoint by their fragility and the slowness of their development. This is why Fourmiculture has selected this Asian species which combines many qualities and allows a real pleasure to carry out its breeding.

Colonies reared in France from a single gyne as for most of our species.

Camponotus nicobarensis easily accepts sweet liquids, jellies and fruits, fresh but also dehydrated insects. It is common to grow from 15 to 100 workers in a few months. Over time, larger and larger workers are born (the majors or “soldiers”) and make the colony more interesting. Although not subject to stress, the workers are able to sound the alarm by tapping their abdomen on the ground in order to transmit the message.

The health of our colonies of exotic species is obtained by our professional breeding conditions and demonstrated by the presence of brood at shipment. For the most concerned, we offer a 3-month Success Insurance which allows you to receive a new colony for free in the event of the death of your queen within 3 months of receipt, regardless of the cause. In the limit of the available stock. In the absence of stock, reimbursement of the insurance amount only.

– Breeding temperature: 27°C during the day, 20-24°C at night
– Wintering: None.
Heat all year round. – Food: Sweet liquids, insects, organic fruits, jellies, etc.
Very easy to feed. – Need for humidity: Relatively high, maintain the humidity of the nest well.
Propose a possible drinking trough. – Origin: Southeast Asia
– Polygyne: a colony sometimes has dozens of queens in the wild.
We are aware of colonies in captivity with more than 100 queens. – Size of the queen: about 13mm
– Size of the minor workers: 6mm
– Size of the major workers (soldiers): 12mm
– Color: Black and yellow/orange stripes on the abdomen with the rest of the body black and coppery orange (variable according to settlements).
– Estimated maximum longevity of the queen: 25 years.

Latin name:		Camponotus nicobarensis
Common name:		None
Taxonomy:		Subfamily: Formicinae Genus: Camponotini
Difficulty level :		(1) Easy to raise, with attention to temperature
Distribution:		South East Asia
Natural habitat :		Semi-desert, savannah
Number of queens:		Oligogynous, can tolerate several queens in the nest to speed up development, then they sometimes separate
Queen :		Size: 13 – 15mm Color: Reddish brown to coppery, variable depending on the exact origin
Workers:		Size: 6 – 12mm Color: Coppery brown according to the exact origins
Soldiers:		Not strictly speaking soldiers but large working-class majors with powerful heads
Males:		Size: 10mm Color: black. Winged.
Feed :		Nectar, sweet and protein liquids, fresh and dehydrated insects, fruits
Humidity :		Hunting area: ambient humidity. Nest: High humidity is appreciated in the majority of rooms.
Temperature :		Hunting area: 21 – 35°C Nest: 24 – 28°C
Diapause:		No, can remain heated and active all year round, but a slight break is possible around 15-20°C for 2 months in winter.
Type of natural nest:		Builds its nest in dead wood, bamboo, old walls.
Type of artificial nest:		Any type of nest is suitable, cork, Plexiglas, stone, terrarium...
Nest size:		Expect strong growth. A nest of 15x15cm is a minimum to start with.
Substrate:		Cork, sand. Not indispensable.
Plants:		Lives in contact with tropical plants, in symbiosis with certain trees.
Decoration:		Natural decor possible (dry wood, rocks, sand, branches etc).
Summary :		Camponotus nicobarensis is a species active mainly at night. It presents a strong development and a high tolerance to all kinds of situations and climates. A rich and frequent diet is however recommended. Particularity: often uses existing cavities to install its nest.
Life cycle :		Swarming:  from May to June Foundation: claustrale (the queen raises her workers alone) Growth: 28 from egg to worker depending on temperature (fast!!) Colony size: up to around 10,000 workers, the queen can live more than 20 years according to our estimates.
Quantity sold :		1 fertilized queen with brood. Workers according to option.
More information :		- Reference