Crematogaster scutellaris

Geographical distribution: This species is present from the Mediterranean to Central Asia.

Habitat: It is mainly found in clear pine forests.

Monogynous species.

Description of individuals:

Queen: The queen measures between 8 and 9 mm. His chest and stomach are bright black, while his head is reddish.

Workers: Workers are 3 to 5 mm tall and have a bright black chest and stomach, with a reddish head.

Soldier: No individual fulfils the role of soldier in this species.

Male: Males measure 3 to 5 mm and are black in colour.

Diet: These ants feed on honeydew, a sweet liquid secreted by some insects, and are also insectivorous, consuming prey such as mealy, flies, mosquitoes, crickets, etc.

Environmental conditions:

Humidity: The humidity in their hunting area must be between 30 and 50%, while in their nest, it must be maintained between 50 and 70%.

Temperature: The hunting area must have a temperature of 25 to 30 °C, while the nest must be maintained between 22 and 28 °C.

Hibernation: Yes, during the period from late November to early March, at temperatures between 12 and 15 °C.

Nest type: Crematogaster scutellaris colonies can be housed in plexiglass nests, nests with tubes or reconstituted stone nests.

Description: This species is nicknamed the "acrobat" ant because of its ability to raise its abdomen above its head to produce a droplet of venom containing formic acid at the end of its sting that is in no way able to cross the epidermis of human skin, for example. The growth of the colony accelerates after the emergence of the first fortnights of workers. All workers have an abdomen in the shape of a spike ace.

Foundation: The foundation of the colony is done in a claustral way (i.e. without external feeding), and the development of the egg to the worker takes about 30 days, depending on the temperature.

Colony size: A colony of Crematogaster scutellaris can count up to 30,000 individuals, and the queen can live to the age of 12.