Liometopum microcephalum - Velvet Tree Ant
| Latin Name: |  |
Liometopum microcephalum |
| Trivialname: |  |
- Velvet Tree Ant |
| Taxonomy: |  |
Subfamily: Dolichoderinae Tribe: Leptomyrmecini |
| Keeping Level: |  |
(2) for experienced keepers; very active, fast-growing colonies |
| Distribution: |  |
Central, Southeastern and parts of Eastern Europe. Mainly found in warm, dry deciduous forests. Very rare and locally distributed in Germany. |
| Habitate: |  |
Warm deciduous and mixed forests, parks and old orchards with mature trees |
| Colonyform: |  |
Polygynous, often polydomous |
| Queen: |  |
Size: 9 - 12mm Color: Head and gaster black; mesosoma reddish-brown to dark red |
| Worker: |  |
Size: 4 - 8mm Color: Head and gaster black; mesosoma reddish-brown; polymorphic |
| Soldier: |  |
No true soldier caste; large major workers are present |
| Males: |  |
Size: 7 - 9mm Color: Black to dark brown |
| Nutrition: |  |
Honey solution, sugar solution, honeydew and insects (flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, crickets, etc.) |
| Airhumidity: |  |
Arena: 40 - 60% Nestpart: 50 - 70% |
| Temperature: |  |
Arena: 22 - 28°C Nestpart: 23 - 27°C |
| Hibernation: |  |
yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C (has an endogenic Biorhythm) |
| Nestform: |  |
Cavities in living and dead trees, under bark and inside decaying wood |
| Kind of Formicaria: |  |
Arena, farm arena, large outworld with wooden or cork nest |
| Formicaria size: |  |
Size: M - L |
| Substrate: |  |
Farm: Cork, Softwood Arena: Sand, Sand-Loam, forest soil |
| Planting: |  |
Forest-style setup with moss, grasses, branches and leaf litter |
| Decoration: |  |
Branches, bark pieces, roots, leaf litter, acorns and dead wood |
| Description: |  |
This highly active arboreal ant species forms long foraging trails through trees and between multiple nests. Colonies are often polydomous and can recruit large numbers of workers to rich food sources within minutes. Due to its rapid colony growth, high activity and excellent climbing ability, this species is best suited for experienced ant keepers. |
| Development: |  |
Nuptial Flight: may-july Founding: claustral (without feeding) in tree cavities or beneath bark Colony Size: Several thousand to more than 100,000 workers |
| Quantity: |  |
one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development) |
| Weblinks: |  |
- Forum - Reference |
| Manufacturer: | Responsible: | Safety information: |
| ANTSTORE Selerweg 41 12169 Berlin www.antstore.de |
ANTSTORE Selerweg 41 12169 Berlin www.antstore.de |
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