Formica fusca – Colony with Queen and Workers

Description

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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).
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Formica fusca is an insectivorous and sugary liquid-feeding species that is easy to keep and very dark in color (darker than Formica cunicularia). Once its population is large enough, it readily hunts small prey using formic acid. It is a good choice for observing an interesting species. It is often colonized and raided by slave-making ants, Formica sanguinea. Their queen establishes her colony near Formica fusca nests and steals cocoons to raise fusca workers as slaves. She will eventually kill the fusca queen and then organize regular raids against other colonies to obtain free labor

Formica fusca has a medium humidity requirement and should be followed by a rather long and cold wintering period after significant feeding (2 to 4 months between 6 and 15°C).

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

With their highly efficient social behavior, Formica fusca 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.

Latin name:		Formica (Serviformica) fusca
Common name:		Slave ant (rarely used)
Taxonomy:		Subfamily: Formicinae Genus: Formicini
Difficulty of breeding:		(1) Easy to raise but must be protected from stress, especially in small spaces where the emission of formic acid can poison them. A long hibernation period is recommended.
Distribution :		All of Europe, especially temperate regions, as well as part of North Africa.
Natural inhabitant:		In the soil, in dry to humid environments with meadows, plains and mountains.
Polygyny:		polygynous, can have several queens per colony.
Queen:		Size: approx. 12mm Color: glossy black
Female workers:		Size: 4 – 8 mm Colour : Glossy black, legs slightly orange or yellowish.
Soldier:		No soldiers.
Males:		Smaller and black. With wings.
Food :		Sugary liquids and insects, flies, mosquitoes, small crickets and cockroaches, aphid honeydew.
Humidity :		Hunting area: Ambient humidity. Nest: Approximately 50-75% should be humid, with a portion being very humid. Tolerates some dryness.
Temperature:		Hunting area: 18 – 28°C Nest : a hot spot at 28°C strongly stimulates larval growth.
Hibernation:		Mandatory, from the end of October until February or March between 5 and 15°C.
Type of natural nest:		In the ground, sometimes in dead wood.
Type of artificial nest:		Hybrid Plexiglas/plaster nests Fourmiculture, terrariums, excavable nests, etc. Avoid all Plexiglas.
Nest size:		Plan for a minimum of 8mm (Minora, Medium etc) and start with a moderate surface to limit soiling.
Substrate:		Sand/clay mixture.
Plants:		It frequents plants colonized by aphids to feed.
Decoration:		Avoid materials that are prone to mold.
Summary :		Serviformica fusca is a medium-sized, rather combative species, although it knows how to share its territory with the many other species around it (Tetramorium, Lasius, etc.) . If necessary, it efficiently recruits fighters with its rapid movements and can easily access food. It is often enslaved by Formica sanguinea , but also by Polyergus rufescens. Very easy to breed.
Life cycle:		Swarming: Late June to August. Founding: Claustral (independent, without feeding the queen), but sometimes pleometrosis and adoptions are also possible. From egg to adult, approximately 4-6 weeks depending on temperature. Estimated maximum size: approximately 2,000 workers.
Quantity for sale:		Starting from a fertilized queen, depending on the options.
More info:		- Reference