Latin name: Solenopsis fugax

Taxonomy: Subfamily: Myrmicinae Tribes: Solenopsidini

Breeding level: Beginner

Geographical distribution: Central Europe, Southern Europe

Habitat: Sands and steppes

Colony shape: Extremely polygynous

Queen: Size: 6 - 6.5mm Color: Black Brown

Workers: Size: 1.5 - 2.5mm Color: Yellow to yellowish brown

Major: No

Male: Size: 4mm Color: Black

Food: Honeydew, in the nature they eat the brood of other species but that can be replaced by small insects like worms of meal, fly, mosquito, crickets etc ...

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

Temperature: Hunting area: 25 - 30 ° C Nest: 21 - 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: Solenopsis fugax is one of the smallest ant species in Europe. Because of its specialization in predation of ant brood, it is also called ant robber. Often, they build their nests near host ants such as Lasius sp or Serviformica sp.

Development: Swarming from mid-August to late October very massive.

Foundation: Set in a cloister (without food) Development: 45 days from egg to worker (depending on temperature)

Size of the colony: Up to 10,000 individuals, the queen can reach the age of 12 years.