Crematogaster scutellaris

Description

Crematogaster scutellaris, also known as ‘red-headed ants’, is an extremely interesting species that can become a highlight of any farm. These unique ants are native to Mediterranean regions, and their distinctive red heads and black bodies make them easily recognisable and extremely visually appealing. As MrówSon’s himself says, their heart-shaped ‘assholes’ are cute 🙂

Species description of 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 full of energy, which makes them fascinating to observe. Their natural habitat is woodland, but they adapt well to living in formicariums of virtually any parameters, although they prefer cork formicariums.

Breeding requirements of 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. They can tolerate slightly lower temperatures in winter, 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 with regular irrigation in our Combo formicariums.
• Food: The diet of these ants is varied. In the natural environment they feed mainly on nectar, honeydew and small insects. In breeding, it is best to feed them a mixture of honey and water, feeder insects and specialised ant foods.
• Nesting: Ideal for this species are cork or wooden nests that mimic their natural habitat. Formicariums should be equipped with arenas where the ants can collect food. From observation, we see that they do very well in combo sets.

Advantages of breeding Crematogaster scutellaris

Breeding Crematogaster scutellaris brings with it many advantages that any ant lover will appreciate:

• Ease of breeding: These are ants that do not present many breeding problems, making them an ideal choice for beginners.
• Attractive appearance: The red heads and black bodies create a contrast that makes these ants very decorative. An additional highlight of their appearance, is their heart-shaped abdomen, which they lift up in moments of danger.
• Activity: They are very active, which makes observing their daily life extremely fascinating.
• Social behaviour: Crematogaster scutellaris exhibit interesting social behaviour, such as creating living bridges from their own bodies.

Characteristics of Crematogaster scutellaris

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

• Red heads: The distinctive bright red heads are the hallmark of this species, along with the characteristic heart shape of the abdomen.
• Living bridges: These ants are known to create bridges and structures from 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 breeding or want to get started in this fascinating hobby, Crematogaster scutellaris will be an excellent choice. With their visual appeal, ease of breeding and interesting behaviour, these ants will quickly become the star of your breeding operation.