Iridomyrmex anceps
| Latin Name: |  |
Iridomyrmex anceps |
| Trivialname: |  |
black tyrant Ant |
| Taxonomy: |  |
Subfamily: Dolichoderinae Tribe: Leptomyrmicini |
| Keeping Level: |  |
(1) Show higher requirements to climate, nutrition and escapeprevention |
| Distribution: |  |
Southeast Asia to Australia - including India, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand |
| Habitat: |  |
Open to semi-open - forests, grassland, urban, gardens |
| Colonyform: |  |
monogyne secondary polygyn |
| Queen: |  |
Size: 7 - 8mm Colour: dark brown to black |
| Worker: |  |
Size: 3 - 6mm Colour: Dark brown to black, smooth body surface, fine hairs |
| Soldier: |  |
not present |
| Males: |  |
Size: 3 - 5mm Colour: dark, mostly black |
| Nutrition |  |
Honeydew honey, sugar solution, honey solution, fruit, Fruit flies, crickets, mealworms, Cricket Jam, blanchierte Heimchen |
| Airhumidity: |  |
Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 60% |
| Temperature: |  |
Arena: 20 - 32°C Nestpart: 24 - 28°C |
| Hibernation: |  |
no |
| Nestform: |  |
Ground nests (20-30 cm), in sunny open areas, often under stones |
| Kind of Formicaria: |  |
Gypsum, Ytong or sand-clay nests recommended |
| Formicaria size: |  |
Size: M |
| Substrate: |  |
Farm: Sand- Loam, Gypsum, Ytong Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam |
| Planting: |  |
similar to Meadowareas, moss and different grassspecies |
| Decoration: |  |
Branches, Roots, Stones |
| Description: |  |
Iridomyrmex anceps is a widespread, dominant species. It builds deep ground nests and dominates its environment through rapid recruitment and aggressive behavior. It has even been reported to hold its own against highly invasive Solenopsis colonies. It interacts with numerous other species - for example, the butterfly Jalmenus evagoras lays its eggs in Iridomyrmex nests. The ants protect and feed the larvae and receive a sugary secretion from them in return. |
| Development: |  |
matingflight: - founding: claustral (without feeding) colonysize: up several thousand Individuals and more |
| Quantity: |  |
one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development) |
| Weblinks: |  |
- Forum - Reference |