Latin name: Crematogaster scutellaris

Taxonomy: Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribes: Crematogastrini

Breeding level: Beginner

Geographical distribution: Mediterranean to Central Asia

Habitat: Clear pinewoods

Colony form: Monogyne

Queen: Size: 8 - 9mm Color: Thorax and black glossy gastre and reddish head

Workers: Size: 3 - 5mm Color: Thorax and black glossy gastre and reddish head

Soldier: No

Male: Size: 3 - 5mm Color: Black

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

Humidity: Hunting area: 30 - 50% Nest: 50 - 70%

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

Hibernation: Yes, from late November to early March between 12 and 15 ° C

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 early September to late October.

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

Size of the colony: Up to 30,000 individuals, the queen can reach the age of 12 years.