Latin Name: | ![]() |
Formica (Serviformica) fusca |
Trivialname: | ![]() |
Grey-black slaveant |
Taxonomy: | ![]() |
Subfamily: Formicinae Tribe: Formicini |
Keeping Level: | ![]() |
(1) easy to keep, just in too small basins they could be using too much formicacid if gettin stressed |
Distribution: | ![]() |
all above Europe, Northamerica |
Habitat: | ![]() |
prefers open xeric and halfxeric grassland, avoids closed areas |
Colonyform: | ![]() |
polygyne |
Queen: | ![]() |
Size: approx. 12mm Colour: shiny black |
Worker: | ![]() |
Size: 4 – 8 mm Colour: shiny black, yellowish legs |
Soldier: | ![]() |
not present |
Males: | ![]() |
– |
Nutrition: | ![]() |
Honeywater and insects e.g. Dipterans like Flies or Mosquitos |
Airhumidity: | ![]() |
Arena: 30 – 50% Nestpart: 50 – 60% |
Temperature: | ![]() |
Arena: 18 – 28°C Nestpart: 21 – 24°C |
Hibernation: | ![]() |
yes, from end of October until end of March at 5 – 8°C |
Nestform: | ![]() |
mainly soil, sometimes also in dead wood |
Kind of Formicaria: | ![]() |
Farm, Farmbasin, Basin, Framebasin, Island, Acrylcylinder, Ytong/Plasternest, Digfix |
Formicaria size: | ![]() |
Size: M |
Substrate: | ![]() |
Farm: Sand-Loam Arena: Sand-Loam |
Planting: | ![]() |
similar to Grassland with moss, grass and other plants |
Decoration: | ![]() |
Branches, Roots, Treeneedels, |
Description: | ![]() |
Serviformica fusca is commonly found in open, dry and semi-arid grassland habitats. They avoid aggressive conflicts with other ant species. Due to their fast movements they have an efficient recruitment for short term food sources. Serviformica fusca is often a slaveant for Raptiformica sanguinea and Polyergus rufescens. Very easy to keep, it is known as ideal beginner species. |
Development: | ![]() |
matingflight: on warm days end of june to the mid of august (often in the late afternoon), founding: claustral (without feeding) but also Pleometrosis or Adoptions are possible. from Egg to adult worker approx.4 – 6 Weeks (depending on temperature). colonysize: approx. 500 to 2.000 Individuals |
Quantity: | ![]() |
one fertilized queen with workers (see selection); brood (depending on the season and development) |
Weblinks: | ![]() |
– Forum |
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.