Rare find - Intermediate - Social Parasite
This colony includes both the Strongylognathus Testaceus queen & the Tetramorium Caespitum queen living together.
Signature Collection Species titles are reserved for rare queens that hold a place in the "Something Special" category. They are usually of interest as a collectors item in the ant world.
Parasitic: Strongylognathus Testaceus (& Host): Tetramorium Caespitum (Pavement Ant)
This is a remarkable story in the world of ants and the way they live. Typically parasitic queens infiltrate a hosts nest by fooling the workers to believe she is part of the colony. Once inside the risk of being killed is all worth while when it is the host nest Queen who is at risk. Unsuspectingly a parasite will then kill the host queen and take her place laying her own eggs with the free aquired colony on hand to defend their new Queen and raise her brood.
For Strongylognathus testaceus however the story takes a different turn. In her case she keeps the Tetramorium Queen alive and using pheromones she dictates and inhibits the host Queens laying of future alates.
Our parasite queen has a full colony and can replace its slave workers by allowing the old queen to lay, but she can lay her own eggs for the colony to raise. Her workers will typically make up around 1% of the total colony.
These Queens are introduced and founding, they are ready for shipping. They are rare and there is limited stock.
[NB] These ants are wonderfully agressive in heat. In addition to this they are small and agile, great escape prevention is required.
Colony Size
Up to 20,000 workers with around 200 to 500 being parasite workers.
Queen Age
12 to 18 years
Temperature
Room 21 to 24 degrees
Humidity
50% to 60% in nest
Hibernation
Yes - late October through early March at 5 to 10 degrees.
Polymorphic (Different size casts)
No - Workers vary by a few mm but not considered polymorphic.
Sting/Spray
No
Bite
Not noticeable
Diet
Protein, Sugars, honey and Insects
Nest Type
Natural, Acrylic, Glass.
Size
Host:
Queen - 6mm-8mm
Worker - 2mm-4mm
Parasite:
Queen - 4mm-5mm
Worker - 2mm-4mm
Development
Egg to Adult Worker - 7 to 9 weeks
