Odontomachus troglodytes
| Latin Name: |  |
Odontomachus troglodytes |
| Trivialname: |  |
- |
| Taxonomy: |  |
Subfamily: Ponerinae Tribe: Odontomachini |
| Keeping Level: |  |
(3) Due to their origin and way of life, they have higher requirements in terms of humidity, temperature and nutrition. |
| Distribution: |  |
South and Central Africa |
| Habitat: |  |
Tropical rainforest, humid forest edges |
| Colonyform: |  |
monogyne (only one queen per colony) |
| Queen: |  |
Size: 12-14 mm Color: Dark brown to black, strong build |
| Worker: |  |
Size: 10-12 mm Color: Dark brown to black |
| Soldier: |  |
not present |
| Males: |  |
Size: 10-12 mm Color: Similar to the workers, but narrower physique |
| Nutrition |  |
Honey water, insects (e.g. beetle larvae, mealworms, fruit flies, crickets, springtails), and occasionally fruit |
| Airhumidity: |  |
Arena: 50–70% Nestpart: 70–90% |
| Temperature: |  |
Arena: 22–30 °C Nestpart: 24–28 °C |
| Hibernation: |  |
no |
| Nestform: |  |
Earth nests under stones, wood and leaf litter |
| Kind of Formicaria: |  |
Ant farm L-XL, vivarium, Ytong/plaster |
| Formicaria size: |  |
Size: L - XL |
| Substrate: |  |
Farm: Sand-loam, humus Arena: Sand-loam, humus |
| Planting: |  |
Tropical plants, moss |
| Decoration: |  |
Branches, leaf litter, stones, cork |
| Description: |  |
This ant species is known for its exceptionally long mandibles, which snap shut like a trap and are used for both hunting and defense. In the wild, they build earth nests or nest under foliage. Their quick mobility and ability to jump far make them particularly fascinating. The Odontomachus genus plays an important role in the ecosystem, particularly by controlling insect populations. |
| Development: |  |
matingflight: on warm days March to April founding: claustral (without feeding) colonysize: Average 500-1000 animals, larger colonies up to 2000 workers possible |
| Quantity: |  |
one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development) |
| Weblinks: |  |
- Reference |
