Myrmecia brevinoda
A giant bulldog ant from eastern Australia and one of the largest ants in the world. For experienced keepers only.
Species at a glance
- Origin: the east coast of Australia, from Queensland to New South Wales
- Size: workers from 2 to over 3 cm, minors and majors
- Colony: up to 1,000 workers
- Difficulty: high, for experienced keepers only
Care conditions
- Temperature: 18–28 °C with a warm spot
- Humidity: 50–70%
- Food: live or freshly killed insects almost daily, as these hunters react to moving prey; an occasional drop of diluted honey
Hibernation
Essential: 2–3 months at about 15 °C. Skipping it is the most common mistake with this species.
Farm and colony growth
The queen is semi-claustral: until the first workers appear she hunts herself, so she needs a small arena and small prey every 2–3 days. Workers have excellent eyesight and run fast, so use a double escape barrier and a closed arena.
Safety
Bulldog ants have a strong, painful sting, and in sensitive people a sting can cause a severe allergic reaction. Never handle the ants, use long forceps, and keep the farm away from children and pets. This species is not for people allergic to bee or wasp stings.