Scientific name: Myrmica rubra
Dutch name: Red stinging ant
Distribution area: Europe
Ant color: Orange-reddish
Difficulty level: 2.5/5
Queen size: 6-7 mm
Worker size: 4-5 mm
Soldier size: /
Temperature: 20 to 25 degrees
Optimal temperature: 24-25 degrees
Nest humidity: 50 to 70%
Outside environment humidity: 30 to 50%
Hilf-dormancy: Late October-March at +/- 10 degrees
Growth rate: 3/5
Develops into number of workers: +/- 20,000 workers
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Organization: Semi-claustral
Colony formation: Polygyne (can have multiple queens per nest)
Diet: Insects such as fruit flies, redrunners, crickets, mealworms, buffalo worms, dubia cockroaches. Sugars such as beetle jelly, byFormica sunburst and nectar, honeydew, etc.
Food requirements: normal.
Number of workers per nest: 50+.
Recommended nest type: natural setup, wooden nest.

Difficulty level

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Growth rate

3 / 5

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The Myrmica rubra, or red ant, sets you on fire

This common and beautiful red fire ant belongs to the Myrmicinae subfamily. The first scientific name for this ant species dates back to 1758 (Linnaeus). This ant species is so common because it can thrive in almost any type of habitat. It only seems to avoid very dry and warm areas, as well as areas with low and sparse vegetation. In an open habitat with tall plants and herbage, the species will easily be represented with well over 100 nests per 100 square meters. Myrmica rubra often does not share its habitat with other ant species. Forest edges and moister grasslands are most suitable for the red fire ant, including in the Netherlands.

Nests of the Myrmica rubra

In a 100 square meter area, you'll easily encounter well over 100 nests. Each nest has multiple functional queens (up to 600) for a population of up to 20,000 workers. As the name suggests, the red fire ant stings, and if its nest is disturbed, it will quickly become aggressive and attack. This can cause painful stings on the skin. Fortunately, red fire ants are very friendly if you approach them with patience and affection.

Where can you find this red ant?

The red fire ant can be found almost everywhere in both the Netherlands and Flanders. Myrmica rubra is particularly effective at quickly colonizing new areas, such as gardens and parks. In a typical Dutch garden, you can quickly encounter a large colony. In larger forests, the red fire ant faces competition from the Myrmica ruginodis, also known as the common fire ant. It's not uncommon for the red fire ant to be displaced by the common fire ant. The red fire ant stings with a stinger, much like a wasp or bee. This saber-shaped organ is located on one side of the abdomen. The stinger of the Myrmica rubra is completely hollow. This allows venom from the ant to flow into the sting wound of the victim. This venom is harmless to humans. However, it will cause itching and some irritation for a short time. Some people, however, are allergic, and in these cases, stings can remain visible for up to ten days.

Sting of the ant

The red ant stings with a stinger, much like a wasp or bee. This saber-shaped organ is located on one side of the abdomen. The stinger of the Myrmica rubra is completely hollow. This allows venom from the ant to flow into the sting wound of the victim. In humans, this venom is harmless. However, it will cause itching and some irritation for a short time. Some people, however, are allergic, and in these cases, the stings will remain visible for up to ten days.

How common is the red ant?

Of all ant species, the red fire ant is the second most common. In South Limburg, the red fire ant is even more common than the garden ant. The red fire ant's nest is often located underground, but it can also be above ground. Favorite spots are under stones, in hollow branches, under the bark of rotten wood, or between plant roots. Besides being hard workers, red fire ants are also true bon vivants and adventurers.

The physique of the red ant

Stinging ants belong to the category of knotted ants. This means that there are two knot-shaped particles between the abdomen and the thorax. The ant's color can range from typical red to brownish-red. The first segment of the antenna is long and slightly curved. The red stinging ant differs from the common stinging ant in that the front knob is almost smooth—not ribbed. The red stinging ant also has shorter spines on the back of its thorax. Red stinging ants are known for feeding on aphids. They sometimes live in symbiosis with the caterpillars of the common blue butterfly.

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Myrmica rubra

Difficulty level

2.5 / 5

Growth rate

3 / 5

Our ants

The Myrmica rubra, or red ant, sets you on fire

Nests of the Myrmica rubra

Where can you find this red ant?

Sting of the ant

How common is the red ant?

The physique of the red ant

FREE shipping from €100 within the Netherlands & from €125 within Belgium & Germany

Shipping Mon - Thurs

Myrmica rubra

Difficulty level

2.5 / 5

Growth rate

3 / 5

Our ants

Myrmica rubra 1 queen with 10 to 20 workers

Myrmica rubra 10 pupae

Myrmica rubra 2 queens with 15 to 25 workers

The Myrmica rubra, or red ant, sets you on fire

Nests of the Myrmica rubra

Where can you find this red ant?

Sting of the ant

How common is the red ant?

The physique of the red ant

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