Latin name: Meranoplus bicolor

Taxonomy: Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribes: Meranoplini

Breeding level: Intermediate

Geographical distribution: Southeast Asia

Habitat: Semi-dry to wet forest areas

Colony form: Monogyne

Queen: Size: 8 - 9mm Color: Black brown head and gastre, brown chest

Workers: Size: 3 - 5mm Color: Black brown head and gastre, brown chest

Major: No

Male: Size: 5mm Color: Black

Food: Honeydew and insects like mealworms, fly, mosquito, cricket etc ...

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

Temperature: Hunting area: 25 - 30 ° C Nest: 23 - 28 ° C

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

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

Description: This species with many peculiarities really nice to observe:

- To be one of the most hairy species in the world.

- To curl up like a hedgehog in the face of danger, just tap a little to get into a ball.

- They are also very slow in their movements, because they are confident of their method of defense.

A species that is out of the ordinary and forming small colonies rarely exceeding 500 to 1000 workers.

Development: Swarming from June to July.

Foundation: Claustral (without food) Development: 35 days from egg to worker (depending on temperature)

Size of the colony: From 500 to 1000 individuals, the queen can reach the age of 15 years.