Fourmishome

Oecophylla smaragdina

Oecophylla smaragdina
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Oecophylla smaragdina
Reference : OFOUR-005
Common name: Oecophylla smaragdina

Subfamily: Formicinae Tribes: Oecophyllini

Distribution: Southeast Asia and India

Habitat: Rainforest

In the form of colonies: Polygynes

Queen: Size: 15 - 17 mm Color: brown-green to orange-brown

Worker: Size: 6 - 14 mm Color: reddish brown, polymorphic *
* Workers of different sizes
Soldiers: No

Food: Water with organic honey and insects. House flies, mosquitoes, small crickets etc

Humidity: Hunting area: 30 - 50% Nesting area: 50 - 70%
Temperature: Hunting area: 21 - 35 ° C Nest surface: 24-28 ° C

Diapause: None

Nest: Nest from leaves / tall plants
Nest size: L - XL adapted to the selected host plant in a terra

Substrate: Sand, sandy loams, humus depending on the host plant
Planting: Similar to tropical rain forest with moss, dwarf chestnut (Pachira aquatica), birch fig (Ficus benjamini), coffee (Coffea arabica), citrus (Citrus)
Decoration: Branches, roots, cork

Description:
This species of ant lives outdoors, high in the trees where it builds its nest or several nests.
For this, the workers often form long chains and collect the leaves of their host plants.
Subsequently, larval silk is used to "weave" the leaves. The constant transpiration of the leaves creates the ideal nest climate inside.
Oecophylla are very aggressive and defend their territory against all enemies. In Asia, they have been controlling biological pests for centuries by actively and passively moving pests through their excretion on the leaves.
Foraging takes place both on the ground and on inhabited vegetation.
Oecophylla certainly has the most sophisticated communication system, which is composed of pheromones, touch and sight. They have a high need for food and tend to die easily if the intake is not enough
A large colony, combining hundreds of bites and their acidity, can also inflict painful wounds on large animals

Swarming: At the beginning of the rainy season

Foundation: Claustral (without food)

Colony size: About 100,000 individuals

Breeding Difficulty: Reserved for experienced breeders and creation of a mandatory natural terra.
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