Latin Name: |
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Myrmica ruginodis |
Trivialname: |
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European Fireant |
Taxonomy: |
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Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribe: Myrmicini |
Keeping Level: |
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(1) easy to keep , they have a potent sting like a stinging - neetle |
Distribiution: |
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Greatbritain to Central asia, since the 18th century also in Northamerica |
Habitate: |
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prefers moist places like grassland or open forestsimilar to Myrmica rubra but through competition often in cooler forests |
Colonyform: |
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Macrogyne = monogyn Microgyne = polygyn |
Queen: |
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Size: 6 - 8mm Colour: crimson (dark red) |
Worker: |
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Size: 4 - 7mm Colour: crimson (dark red) till brownorange |
Soldier: |
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not present |
Males: |
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Size: 4 - 6mm Colour: black , slim |
Nutrion: |
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Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosqitos |
Airhumidity: |
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Arena: 30 - 50% Nestpart: 50 - 70% |
Temperature: |
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Arena: 18 - 28°C Nestpart: 21 - 24°C |
Hibernation: |
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yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 - 8°C |
Nestform: |
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Nests in soil, in rotten wood and under stones or in moss |
Kind of Formicaria: |
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Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plaster, Digfix |
Formicaria size: |
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Size: S - M |
Substrate: |
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Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand, Sand-loam, mould, wood |
Planting: |
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similar to Forestareas with moss, grass and other plants |
Decoration: |
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Branches, Roots, Treeneedels, |
Description: |
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The colony is tough, well-fortified that, active and a bit aggressive, low maintanance ants. They can prick you, when they felt under pressure (similary like stinging-nettle) |
Development: |
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matingflight: on warm days from august to september between 15:00 and 22:00 o`clock
founding: semiclaustral (queen collects food) or through adoption
from Egg to adult worker approx. 6 Weeks (depending on temperature).
colonysize:a few 1000 individuals |
Quantity: |
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one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development) |
Weblinks: |
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- Forum
- Reference |