Thanks Necturus for your brief summary.
What I wrote in my German reply to the criticism of G. Kalytta was not necessarily meant as an information for “jackal”. So I didn’t translate it into English.
Among other items I mentioned that on the internet as yet I can find only posts of keepers who have difficulties to rear first workers from the queens they have bought from Mr. Kalytta. This reminded me the bad experiences that keepers had made with the unmated “queens” they had bought from Frank M.. Mr. Kalytta replies that he knows several people who bought Myrmecia queens from him and did already rear worker offspring. I ask why these people don’t post their success.
I also criticize that Mr. Kalytta does not reveal whether his queens are directly collected in the field (Australia), or reared and mated in captivity (the queens of Frank M. had seemingly mated in captivity). In both instances a successful insemination of the queens cannot be guaranteed, though; even in the field it happens that unmated females try to found colonies (observed in several ant genera). In any case, it would be wise not to buy a single queen or a queen with a couple of larvae (they can be male), but take a small colony with the first workers.
Furthermore, it remains a secret of Mr. Kalytta from which area in Western Australia the Myrmecia pavida had been taken. This vast state comprises every climate between true desert and humid dense forests with a seasonal climate and cold and humid winters. The description on the website of “Ants Kalytta” says:
“Myrmecia pavida ….
Distribution: West Australia
Nestbiulding: soil nest
Nutrition: insects and honeywater
Hibernation: No
Temperature: they like it hot, but tolerate also colder temperatures
Air Humidity: dry climate (deserts)
Soil Conditions: similar to the steppes
Planting: grasses and small plants
specifics: This specie is easy to keep. These animals follow you by their eyes.”
I question that these instructions are correct. Having been in WA for vacation just recently, I have seen numerous Myrmecia pavida there, but not in habitats that would match this description.
So, in sum,
I recommend prudence when ordering such a Myrmecia queen: The customer my still (exact informations being withhold) “buy a pig in a poke”, may not know what he will receive.
Finally (@ Steven3000):
„wo die königinnen genau herkommen ist für die haltung relativ unwichtig da herr kalytta die allerbesten haltungsbedingungen beschreibt wenn man ihn anruft.“
(„It is quite unimportant for keeping these ants to know from where the queens are because Mr. Kalytta describes the best keeping conditions when somebody phones him”.)
Ok; what I don’t understand is
why Mr. Kalytta should give different advice in his public website and in personal phone calls???
In addition, returning to the beginning of this thread, “jackal” is an Italian who, according to his own words, is not perfect in English. I question that in this instance a telephone conversation would be better than a clear, correct, written instruction.
And, last comment, “jackal” has said that he is a beginner, that the Myrmecia would be his first ant species. Again, I insist that he should have been warned, and this is what I did.
Sincerely,
Earlant
von Necturus » 28. Okt 2006 16:02 
I mean, if you stuck your finger and they bite it, would you blead from it? Are they aggressive species?
indeed i mend guys ! 
