Taxonomy

Subfamily: Myrmeciinae

Tribe: Myrmeciini

Genus: Myrmecia

Fabricius, 1804

Species: Myrmecia nigriceps (Mayr, 1862)

General information

Description: Reddish brown, gaster black, head grey, mandibles yellow

Worker length: 17 – 26 mm

Queen length: 30 - 33 mm

Colony: Monogyne

Colony founding: Semiclaustral

Nest: Nest in soil with large mound

Nest size: Unknown

Lifespan (colony): Unknown

Hibernation: No

Activity pattern: Crepuscular and nocturnal

Care requirements

Climate: Subtropical

Temperature: 20 – 26 °C

Humidity: 50 - 60 %

Arena: Dry

Nest: Maintain a damp and a dry end

Food: Sugar solutions, insects and spiders

Enclosure: Large glass tank or terrarium

Substrate: Sand or loamy sand

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

Bilder

Pictures

Lebensweise/Habits and biology

Myrmecia nigriceps sind nachtaktiv. Sie suchen am Boden und in niedriger 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.

Es sind aggressive Ameisen die sofort ihr Nest verteidigen.

Myrmecia nigriceps are active during night. Searching actively for food on the ground and low 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.

They are aggressive and will defend their nest.

Ein kurzer Blick ins Nest zeigt die Ameisen bei der Brutpflege.

A short glimpse into the nest is showing the workers at their daily tasks like brood care.