Please note: this species is difficult to import from its country of origin, meaning they often don't survive the journey. Our supply is therefore very limited.
Information about
Polyrhachis dives, one of our favorite ant species. What's special about this species is that they weave their own nests. They do this in a piece of spiderwood, a weaving ball, or one of the other nesting products we offer. The ants weave these nests using hemp fibers, and the larvae produce a special substance that allows them to create threads. This is how they eventually create a complete nest!
Specifications :
Scientific name: Polyrhachis dives
Dutch name: False weaver ant
Distribution area: Asia
Colour of the ant: Black with a gold and silvery glow
Difficulty level: 3/5
Queen size: 12-13 mm
Worker size: 6-8 mm
Soldier size: None
Temperature: 25 to 30 degrees
Optimal temperature: 27-29 degrees
Nest humidity: 50 to 75%
Outside humidity: 50 to 80%
Winter dormancy: None
Growth rate: 4/5
Growing to a number of workers: +- 2,000
Subfamily: Formicinae
Foundation: Claustral
Colony formation: Polygyne (can have multiple queens per nest)
Care:
Food: Insects such as fruit flies, redrunners, crickets, mealworms, buffalo worms, dubias. Sugars such as beetle jelly, Formica sunburst ant nectar, honeydew, etc.
Food requirements: High.
Number of workers per nest: From approximately 150 to 200 workers, depending on the number of larvae and the nesting conditions.
Recommended nest type:
Keep a small colony in a test tube that can be placed in a formicarium with a hemp fiber substrate. Once the colony is somewhat larger, they can move to a nest ball, or you can offer them a nesting scaffold in which they can weave their own nest, provided the colony is large enough for this.
Heat with a heat mat, heat cable, or heat lamp.
Nesting material
- Hemp fibers
- Spiderwood
- Weaving ball
- Bamboo weaving tower
- Scaffolding of bamboo poles
