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Pheidole — big-headed ants

Big-headed ants: small, fast workers and large soldiers with massive heads. Colonies grow quickly and are fun to watch.

Pheidole flaveria Pheidole indica Pheidole megacephala Pheidole noda Pheidole pallidula Pheidole pieli Pheidole sinica Pheidole smythiesii Pheidole sulcaticeps Pheidole yeensis

Why big-headed ants are interesting

Pheidole is one of the largest ant genera. A colony has two worker castes: small minors forage, while big-headed majors crack tough prey and seeds and defend the nest. Colonies usually grow fast and are active all day.

Care

  • Food: small insects, sugars and a few seeds.
  • Farm: chambers sized for small ants and reliable escape prevention, as workers squeeze through the tiniest gaps.
  • Hibernation: Mediterranean and East Asian species need a cool period, tropical ones need warmth all year.

Choosing a species

Pheidole pallidula, Pheidole noda and Pheidole indica are good to start with. Pheidole megacephala is an invasive species that needs special care.

Catalog

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