Formica cinerea – Colony with Queen and Workers

Description

Our Ant Fourmiculture Charter
1. Establishment approved by the Veterinary Services and the Prefecture, holding a certificate of competence for the sale of ants (Decision No. 2016195-0002 from the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection),
2. Free Guide to the Perfect Ant Keeper and health record provided,
3. Ants guaranteed free of mites and parasites,
4. Health demonstrated by the queen laying eggs and the presence of brood upon shipment,
5. No "boost" (addition of brood or external workers to sell colonies faster),
6. Guaranteed delivery in good health: partial refund in case of worker loss, full refund in case of queen loss (if delivered within 48 hours),
7. Shipping possible from -12°C to +40°C thanks to our optional insulated packaging,
8. Species present in France, non-invasive and not threatened,
9. Colony taken back and costs covered if You wish to sell it (see conditions).
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Formica cinerea is a species that feeds on insects and sugary liquids, is easy to raise, although more sensitive to stress than Messor, for example. Black coloration.

Formica cinerea bees develop rapidly and can have several queens per colony. The brood is often substantial, and the pupae are protected inside a cocoon. Formica cinerea are found in many sandy as well as mountainous habitats where they can find aphids for honeydew and insects for food.

With their highly efficient social behavior, Formica cinerea ants are able to relocate quickly to a new habitat and even carry each other! When a better habitat is discovered, the first ant carries another to the new location. The two ants then return to the original nest, each carrying two ants, and so on, returning in groups of four until the entire colony is established!

Moreover, the worker bees do not hesitate to pull and drag the queen to the new nest.

As skilled hunters, Formica wasps can secrete formic acid to defend themselves or kill their prey. However, sugary and protein-rich liquids are particularly effective against them due to their habit of raising aphids for honeydew.