Latin name: Crematogaster biroi

Taxonomy: Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribes: Crematogastrini

Breeding level: Intermediate

Geographical distribution: South China, India, Sri Lanka

Habitat: Temperate Rainforest

Colony shape: Polygynes

Queen: Size: 6 - 7mm Color: Yellowish brown to black brown

Female workers: Size: 2 - 3mm Color: Bright yellowish, head and thorax often yellowish yellow, brown gaster.

Soldier: No

Male: Size: 3 - 5mm Color: Yellow

Food: Honeydew and insectivores, like mealworms, fly, mosquito, crickets etc ...

Humidity: Hunting area: 60 - 70% Nest: 60 - 80%

Temperature: Hunting area: 25 - 30 ° C Nest: 22 - 28 ° C

Hibernation: No

Nest type: Plexiglas nest, nest with tubes, reconstituted stone nest.

Description: This species is called "nesting in the woods" or "lignicol" (which lives in the woods) or ant "acrobat" because they defend themselves by a particular means. Indeed they have the ability to raise their abdomen over their heads and bead (create) at the end of their sting a droplet of venom containing acetic acid. Vaporized acetic acid plays an alarming role: the worker who emits venom warns other workers of a danger. The period between the laying and the appearance of the worker being long it will be necessary to wait for the first fortnight of workers to see growth accelerate. They all have an abdomen in the shape of ace of spades. This wood ant raises aphids (in the wild) to feed on sweet liquids.

Development: Swarming from June to July.

Foundation: Set in a cloister (without food) Development: 30 days from egg to worker (depending on temperature)

Size of the colony: A few hundred individuals, the queen can reach the age of 12 years.