Crematogaster scutellaris

Description

Crematogaster scutellaris, also known as “red-headed ants”, are an extremely interesting species that can become the pride of any breeding collection. These unique ants originate from the Mediterranean region, and their distinctive red heads and black bodies make them easily recognisable and visually appealing. As MrówSon himself says, their heart-shaped “bottoms” are adorable.

Description of the species Crematogaster scutellaris

Crematogaster scutellaris are medium-sized ants. The queen reaches a length of about 9-11 mm, and the workers are usually 3 to 5 mm long. They are very active and energetic, which makes them fascinating to observe. Their natural habitat is forests, but they adapt perfectly to life in formicaria with virtually any parameters, although they prefer cork formicaria.

Breeding requirements Crematogaster scutellaris

Crematogaster scutellaris are relatively easy to breed, making them an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced breeders. Below are the key breeding requirements:

• Temperature: The optimum temperature for this species is 22–26°C. In winter, they can tolerate slightly lower temperatures, which corresponds to their natural conditions.
• Humidity: Crematogaster scutellaris prefer moderate humidity, around 50–70%. It is important to maintain adequate humidity in the nest, which can be achieved by regular watering in our Combo formicaria.
• Food: These ants have a varied diet. In their natural habitat, they feed mainly on nectar, honeydew and small insects. In captivity, it is best to feed them a mixture of honey and water, feed insects and specialised ant food.
• Nest: Cork or wooden nests that imitate their natural environment are ideal for this species. Formicaria should be equipped with arenas where ants can collect food. From our observations, we can see that they do very well in Combo sets.

Advantages of breeding Crematogaster scutellaris

Breeding Crematogaster scutellaris has many advantages that every ant lover will surely appreciate:

• Ease of breeding: These ants do not cause many breeding problems, making them an ideal choice for beginners.
• Attractive appearance: Their red heads and black bodies create a contrast that makes these ants very decorative. An additional advantage of their appearance is their heart-shaped abdomens, which they raise when threatened.
• Activity: They are very active, which makes observing their daily life extremely fascinating.
• Social behaviour: Crematogaster scutellaris exhibit interesting social behaviour, such as forming living bridges with their own bodies.

Characteristics of Crematogaster scutellaris

Crematogaster scutellaris have several unique characteristics that distinguish them from other ant species:

• Red heads: The distinctive bright red heads are a hallmark of this species, along with the characteristic heart-shaped abdomen.
• Living bridges: These ants are known for building bridges and structures with their own bodies, which is fascinating to observe.
• Unique defence: They can secrete formic acid, which deters potential predators.

Don’t wait any longer! If you are passionate about ant keeping or want to start your adventure with this fascinating hobby, Crematogaster scutellaris will be an excellent choice. Thanks to their visual appeal, ease of keeping and interesting behaviour, these ants will quickly become the stars of your colony.