Taxonomy

Subfamily: Myrmeciinae

Tribe: Myrmeciini

Genus: Myrmecia

Fabricius, 1804

Species: Myrmecia brevinoda Forel, 1910

General information

Description: Brown, gaster black

Worker length: 17 – 26 mm

Queen length: 24 - 30 mm

Colony: Monogyne

Colony founding: Semiclaustral

Nest: Nest in soil with large mound

Nest size: Large, sometimes a few thousand workers

Lifespan (colony): Unknown

Hibernation: Maybe

Activity pattern: Diurnal

Care requirements

Climate: Subtropical

Temperature: 24 – 26 °C

Humidity: 50 - 60 %

Arena: Dry

Nest: Maintain a damp and a dry end

Food: Sugar solutions, small insects and spiders

Enclosure: Large glass tank or terrarium

Substrate: Sand or loamy sand

Enclosure fit-out: Leaf litter, branches and roots, rocks, bark, vegetation optional, water- and sugar solution bowls

Bilder

Pictures

Lebensweise/Habits and biology

Myrmecia brevinoda suchen am Boden und auch auf Bäumen und anderer Vegetation nach Nahrung.

Die Arbeiterinnen dieser Art zeigen einen deutlichen Größen-Polymorphismus. Die kleinen Arbeiterinnen kümmern sich im Nest meistens um die Brut, während die Größeren draussen nach Nahrung suchen.

Die Larven dieser Art sind äusserst kannibalisch und fressen häufig Eier und kleinere Larven die sich in ihrer Reichweite befinden.

Es sind aggressive Ameisen die sofort ihr Nest verteidigen.

Myrmecia brevinoda searches actively for food on the ground and on trees and other vegetation.

The workers of this species show a distinct size-polymorphism. The smaller workers tending the brood inside of the nest, the larger ones foraging outside for food.

Cannibalism of larvae is very strong developed in Myrmecia brevinoda, large larvae often consume nearby eggs and smaller larvae.

They are aggressive and will defend their nest.