Carebara diversa – Colony with queen and workers

Description

Discover the Asian Armyworms: Carebara diversa

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Species description: Carebara diversa

The army ant (Carebara diversa ), also known as "revolutionary ants," is renowned for its impressive social organization and polymorphism. Small workers coexist with spectacular majors (or "soldiers"), equipped with powerful mandibles and disproportionately large heads, making this species fascinating to observe. Carebara diversa, formerly known as Pheidologeton diversus, is similar to our local Pheidole pallidula but takes its characteristics to extremes to guarantee a truly extraordinary spectacle. Indeed, the minor workers are a respectable 3 to 4 mm in size and exhibit severe aggression. They are recruited en masse and quickly cover any potential threat, while soldiers of all sizes are present to finish the job. Enormous soldiers, almost as large as the queen, are often stationed inside the nest as an emergency reserve, or along the "highways" formed by the workers to defend them. Resembling a tank measuring over a centimeter, they are often covered with small minor workers to form a formidable, versatile defense.

Often nomadic in nature, the colony can relocate entirely to a more suitable site if food becomes scarce in its territory, despite recurring raids. Polygynous (possibly having several queens per colony), it exhibits limited aggression towards workers from other colonies of the same species, and thus forms raids in search of better living conditions.

Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, this species is particularly well-suited to hot and humid climates. Their active behavior and ability to build complex structures make them a favorite choice for experienced ant keepers. They should be fed several times a week with unlimited protein (insects, eggs, tuna, cooked meat, etc.) and plenty of carbohydrates. Our favorite trick is to give them a piece of overripe banana, but this species also enjoys honey and many other sweet liquids. The workers only live for a few months, and the gigantic queen must then lay a massive number of eggs to replace them. The keeper must then provide warmth (27°C during the day) and food to ensure their survival.

Carebara diversa breeding tips

With the right methods, raising Carebara diversa is simpler than its reputation suggests. A plastic container with walls lined with Fluon ByFormica anti-escape material and a sufficient number of rearing tubes (water and cotton or water and a damp slab) with a minimum diameter of 18mm can suffice. This eliminates the risk of escape, makes management easy and adaptable to the colony's growth, and the cost is negligible. The system can be improved and made more aesthetically pleasing with a terrarium, a nest made of aerated concrete or plaster placed vertically against the glass, etc. We also specialize in custom construction for exceptional species (museums, zoos, etc.) and can offer a museum-quality enclosure to showcase your colony and ensure its needs are met without escape.

According to Fourmiculture, a Supercolony means a large population and guaranteed health!

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Main features:

• Worker size: From 2-4 mm (minor workers) to 15 mm (major workers).
• Diet: Opportunistic and omnivorous. Feed them nectar, insects, and a variety of proteins ad libitum.
• Difficulty level: Intermediate to advanced. This species requires a stable environment in terms of temperature and humidity.
• Nest type: Plastic box with Fluon ByFormica on the walls and breeding tubes of 18mm minimum diameter or specialized terrarium.

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Recommended living conditions:

• Temperature: Between 26°C and 28°C during the day, between 20°C and 24°C at night.
• Humidity: The majority of the nest should have high humidity.
• Wintering: No diapause, but a break in heating for 6 weeks may possibly be beneficial.

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Key features:

• Impressive Majors: The majors are a spectacle in themselves, offering fascinating behaviors and a unique aesthetic appeal.
• Active colony: Carebara diversa are very dynamic and perfect for those who wish to observe rich and diverse social interactions.

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Ethical commitment and quality:

At Fourmiculture , we place paramount importance on the well-being of our colonies. Our Carebara diversa are imported by direct flight , a method that significantly reduces stress and mortality associated with shipping by parcel.

After their arrival, they are acclimatized in our facilities , under perfectly controlled climatic conditions, to guarantee their stability and health. This approach allows us to offer robust and well-developed colonies.

Express delivery is mandatory! Whether you choose this option or not, we will always ship this species via express delivery within France at no extra charge for its well-being. For the rest of the world, please select the fastest available carrier.

⚠️ Important : To preserve the balance of local ecosystems, we do not sell this species in tropical areas such as Réunion, Guadeloupe, Martinique, etc.

To be considered invasive, a species must meet 4 criteria: 1/ Introduction: a species arrives in a territory where it is not native 2/ Acclimation: the species survives in its new territory 3/ Naturalization: the species reproduces in its new territory 4/ Expansion: the species colonizes this territory and spreads, to the detriment of local species which it will supplant or even totally eradicate.

In our opinion, this species poses no invasive potential in mainland France due to its vulnerability to cold and its short lifespan, which prevents the workers from surviving the winter. However, there is a potential risk in areas with a climate similar to Southeast Asia.