Ants · Genus: Camponotus
Giant European carpenter ant
IntermediateCamponotus ligniperda
Camponotus ligniperda is one of Europe's largest ant species, notable for its impressive size and distinctive coloration on majors and queens. Colony development is very slow during the first couple of years, demanding patience from the keeper. They follow an endogenous biological rhythm and require a strictly observed overwintering period.
- Origin
- Central EuropeRussian Federation
- Activity time
- Variable
- Winter dormancy
- Yes
Colony traits
- Colony form
- Monogynous (one queen)
- Founding type
- Claustral (independent, without feeding)
- Polymorphism
- Polymorphic without soldiers
- Queen size
- 16-20 mm
- Worker size
- 6-14 mm
- Major size
- 14-18 mm
- Max. colony size
- 1000-3000
- Queen lifespan
- 15-20
- Worker lifespan
- 2-3
Husbandry conditions
- Nest type preference
- Variable
- Nest temperature
- 21-24 °C
- Arena temperature
- 18-26 °C
- Nest humidity
- 40-60 %
- Arena humidity
- 30-50 %
Nutrition
- Feeding notes
- Honey water, sugar water, feeder insects (crickets, roaches, flies, mealworms)