Post by occultus on Jun 30, 2016 22:16:00 GMT
Taxonomy:
- Family: Formicidae
- Subfamily: Formicinae
- Tribe: Camponotini
- Genus: Camponotus
- Species: Camponotus fulvopilosus
Origin: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa
Appearance of the Queen: 17 - 18mm colour: dark red to black, Gaster with a dense golden yellow hair
Appearance of the workers: 9 - 19mm color: dark red to black, Gaster with a dense yellow golden pubescence polymorphic (Minor, Media and major workers)
Hibernation: Diapause from June/July to August/September
Nest building: Soil nests and under flat rocks
Nutrition: Honey-/Sugarwater, insects
Temperature: 24 - 35°C
Humidity: 30 - 60% (Desert climate)
Description:
Camponotus fulvopilosus is a truly amazing species to keep in captivity. The vibrant yellow hairs on their gasters make them stand out significantly. They feature great eyesight and are very fast moving, comparable to Cataglyphis species in speed. They also are very aggressive and attack prey with no trouble, therefore this is a great species to keep in captivity. Colonies can be very expensive as they are a relatively rare and colourful species which makes them more valuable.
28.06.16
I was fortunate enough to privately purchase a colony of Camponotus fulvopilosus from a friend. The Queen was caught in January 2014 which makes the colony two and a half years old. There is estimated around 300 workers. They can move super-fast and sometimes raise their gasters as they run (possibly to prevent burning from the hot desert sand). In my opinion they are one of the best looking ants on earth.
The colony had lost their appetite when they arrived but today they have accepted sugar water and a mealworm-beetle.
2016-06-29_04-53-19 by che hawkins, on Flickr
2016-06-30_10-19-29 by che hawkins, on Flickr
2016-06-30_10-21-08 by che hawkins, on Flickr
It's amazing that the patterns on the gasters are all different, some are dotted, striped, multi-striped or blank. I can almost identify individual workers.
- Family: Formicidae
- Subfamily: Formicinae
- Tribe: Camponotini
- Genus: Camponotus
- Species: Camponotus fulvopilosus
Origin: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa
Appearance of the Queen: 17 - 18mm colour: dark red to black, Gaster with a dense golden yellow hair
Appearance of the workers: 9 - 19mm color: dark red to black, Gaster with a dense yellow golden pubescence polymorphic (Minor, Media and major workers)
Hibernation: Diapause from June/July to August/September
Nest building: Soil nests and under flat rocks
Nutrition: Honey-/Sugarwater, insects
Temperature: 24 - 35°C
Humidity: 30 - 60% (Desert climate)
Description:
Camponotus fulvopilosus is a truly amazing species to keep in captivity. The vibrant yellow hairs on their gasters make them stand out significantly. They feature great eyesight and are very fast moving, comparable to Cataglyphis species in speed. They also are very aggressive and attack prey with no trouble, therefore this is a great species to keep in captivity. Colonies can be very expensive as they are a relatively rare and colourful species which makes them more valuable.
28.06.16
I was fortunate enough to privately purchase a colony of Camponotus fulvopilosus from a friend. The Queen was caught in January 2014 which makes the colony two and a half years old. There is estimated around 300 workers. They can move super-fast and sometimes raise their gasters as they run (possibly to prevent burning from the hot desert sand). In my opinion they are one of the best looking ants on earth.
The colony had lost their appetite when they arrived but today they have accepted sugar water and a mealworm-beetle.
2016-06-29_04-53-19 by che hawkins, on Flickr2016-06-30_10-19-29 by che hawkins, on Flickr2016-06-30_10-21-08 by che hawkins, on FlickrIt's amazing that the patterns on the gasters are all different, some are dotted, striped, multi-striped or blank. I can almost identify individual workers.
I was offered a colony of fulvopilosus. Super easy to keep as long as they keep dry and warm.
I love the colour contrasts 
