Ants · Genus: Formica
Dusky ant
BeginnerFormica fusca
Formica fusca is an agile, fast-moving formicine ant with a distinct matte black to bronze sheen. Equipped with excellent vision, they react swiftly to movement and exhibit fast, active foraging behavior. Being hardy, adaptable, and non-aggressive, they are a great species for beginner antkeepers seeking active surface observation.
- Origin
- Central EuropeNorth America
- Activity time
- Diurnal
- Winter dormancy
- Yes
Colony traits
- Colony form
- Monogynous (one queen)
- Founding type
- Claustral (independent, without feeding)
- Polymorphism
- Monomorphic (no caste differences)
- Queen size
- 10-12 mm
- Worker size
- 5-8 mm
- Max. colony size
- 500-2000
- Queen lifespan
- 10-15
- Worker lifespan
- 1-2
Husbandry conditions
- Nest type preference
- Variable
- Nest temperature
- 20-24 °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, mosquitoes)