Carebara diversa – Supercolony with queen and workers

Description

Discover Asian Army Ants: Carebara diversa

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Presentation of the species: Carebara diversa

Carebara diversa , also called “army ants,” are known for their impressive social organization and polymorphism. The small workers coexist with spectacular majors (or “soldiers”), with powerful mandibles and a disproportionate head, making this species fascinating to observe. Carebara diversa, formerly called Pheidologeton diversus, is similar to our local Pheidole pallidula while pushing its characteristics to the extreme to guarantee an extraordinary spectacle. Indeed, the minor workers are of a respectable size of 3 to 4mm and present a severe aggressiveness, are recruited en masse and quickly cover any potential threat, while soldiers of all sizes are present and come to complete the work. Huge soldiers, almost as big as the queen, are often stationed inside the nest as an emergency reserve, or along the “highways” formed by the workers to defend them. Worthy of an assault tank measuring more than a centimeter, they are often covered with small minor workers to form a formidable versatile defense.

Often nomadic in nature, the colony can entirely move to a more suitable site if food runs out on its territory despite recurring raids. Polygynous (several queens possible per colony), it shows limited aggressiveness towards workers from other colonies of the same species, and thus forms raids in search of the best living conditions.

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

Carebara diversa breeding tips

With the right methods, breeding Carebara diversa is simpler than its reputation suggests. It may be sufficient to use a plastic bin with walls covered with anti-escape Fluon ByFormica, and offer a sufficient number of breeding tubes (water and cotton or water and wet slab) with a minimum diameter of 18mm. The risk of escape is thus eliminated, management is easy, adjustable to adapt to the growth of the colony and the cost is negligible. The system can be improved and made more aesthetic using a terrarium, a nest made of cellular concrete or vertical plaster against the glass, etc. We also specialize in custom construction for exceptional species (museums, zoos, etc.) and can offer construction worthy of a museum to showcase your colony and guarantee that its needs are met, without escape.

A Supercolony according to Fourmiculturemeans a large population and guaranteed health!

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Main Features :

• Size of workers: From 2-4 mm (minor workers) to 15 mm (majors).
• Diet: Opportunistic and omnivorous. Feed them with nectar, insects, and a variety of proteins as desired.
• Difficulty level: Intermediate to advanced. This species requires a stable environment in terms of temperature and humidity.
• Type of nest: 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 and 24°C at night.
• Humidity: The majority of the nest should have high humidity.
• Wintering: No diapause, but a break from heating for 6 weeks may possibly be beneficial.

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Strengths:

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

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Ethical commitment and quality:

At Fourmiculture , we attach great importance to the well-being of colonies. Our Carebara diversa are imported by direct flight , a method that significantly reduces the stress and deaths associated with parcel shipments.

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

Express delivery required! Whether you choose this solution or not, we will systematically ship this species express to France at no extra charge for its well-being. For the rest of the world, please choose the fastest carrier offered.

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

To be considered invasive, a species must meet 4 criteria: 1/ Introduction: a species arrives in a territory from which it is not native 2/ Acclimatization: the species survives in its new territory 3/ The naturalization: the species reproduces in its new territory 4/ Expansion: the species colonizes this territory and expands, to the detriment of local species that it will supplant or even completely eradicate.

In our opinion, this species does not have any invasive potential in mainland France due to its fragility to the cold and its short lifespan which does not allow the workers to survive the winter. On the other hand, there is a potential risk in territories with a climate similar to South East Asia.