Myrmecia fulvipes
An Australian bulldog ant, a day-active hunter with large eyes. Often tries to escape; for experienced keepers only.
Species at a glance
- Origin: much of mainland Australia
- Size: queen 18–22 mm; workers 14–20 mm, all one size
- 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
Needed: cool the nest gradually to 12 °C and hold for 2–3 months with no protein food.
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.