Oeocphylla smaragdina – Colony with queen and workers

Description

Oeocophylla smaragdina benefits from the Fourmiculture on our Ants:
1. Breeding approved by Veterinary Services, carried out by a specialist under certificate of capacity,
2. Guide to the Perfect Antculturist offered and health sheet provided,
3. Ants guaranteed without parasites,
4. Health demonstrated by the laying of the queen and the presence of brood during shipping,
5. No “boost” (addition of brood or external workers to sell the colonies more quickly),
6. Guaranteed delivery in good health: partial reimbursement in the event of loss of workers, total reimbursement in the event of loss of the queen (if delivered within 48 hours),
8. Species present in France, non-invasive and not threatened,
9. Colony taken back and costs covered if you wish to part with it (see conditions).
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Oecophylla smaradina is a superb weaver ant whose queen is green and the workers are yellow (for those originating from Asia like ours). This extraordinary species uses the silk of the larvae to weave the leaves together and form its nest in the trees . Very aggressive, it is an excellent hunter , very active and always on the move. It uses formic acid and hunts in groups. It likes insects but also sweet liquids. Our colonies always contain brood with recently laid eggs, active workers and a superb green queen.

Its breeding is quite particular. It works very well in a classic breeding tube at first, inside a closed box with a little slightly damp substrate, but it is advisable to use a terrarium with a large ficus inside and other leafy plants. The air humidity must be high, around 70-90% with a little ventilation. It is possible to place the potted ficus on a dish of water to prevent escapes, it will then be like on an island, but the use of a terrarium allows to retain the vital humidity for the ants (this device is only possible if the air is already quite humid in the room). No wintering. Temperature of 21 to 26 ° C recommended.

We therefore suggest two concepts for their breeding: the use of an aquarium in which potted plants will be placed, accompanied by water dishes to increase the humidity, and light ventilation. Bring a hygrometer . Excellent climber, watch out for escapes. Or a closed terrarium with a smaller plant and substrate, for a very pleasant more natural look. This system will be more suitable for young colonies and will limit their development. The opening of the cap is more delicate with escapes, so we provide an anti-escape on the rim and leave it open.

Queen Oeocphylla smaragdina photo: Didier Descouens

Latin name		Oecophylla smaragdina
Common name:		weaver ant
Taxonomy:		Subfamily: Formicinae
Difficulty level		(2) Special humidity requirements, rearing environment and prevention of escapes
Origin:		South East Asia
Habitat:		Tropical forests
Foundation type:		monogynous
Queen :		Size: 15 – 17mm Colour: Green to yellow
Workers:		Size: 6 – 14mm Color: Yellow brown, long legs, strong mandibles, elongated morphology
Soldiers:		None
Males:		Not described
Feed :		Nectar, honeydew, sweet liquids, insects. Provide plenty of insects for development (crickets, fruit flies etc)
Air humidity:		70 to 90%
Temperature:		24 – 28°C
Diapause:		No, active all year round
Nest formation:		Builds its nest in the canopy using the silk of the larvae to weave the nest and the partitions.
Type of artificial nest:		Terrarium, Aquarium, or plant on an island surrounded by water for humidity and to prevent escapes.
Size of the terrarium:		40cm or more for a young colony and its plant.
Substrate:		Provide the substrate suitable for the plant, not necessary for ants.
Planting:		Pachira aquatica, Ficus benjamini, Coffea arabica, Citrus
Decoration:		Branches, roots
Behavior :		Forms long chains of workers who hold each other to catch the leaves and hold them together while another worker weaves the leaves together using a larva and its silk. The leaves provide protection and moisture. Very aggressive species that defends its territory. Oeocphylla smaragdina has been used in Asia as a biological pest control agent for hundreds of years. This species exhibits complex and evolved communication through pheromones, contact, and visual communication.
Growth :		Swarming at the beginning of the wet season. The queen founds alone and feeds her larvae. Can be matured in tubes. The colony reaches up to 500,000 workers but usually forms small interconnected nests made up of different leaf nests.
Quantity on sale:		1 guaranteed fertilized queen and her workers.

Photo and information: Antsore.net