Aphaenogaster senilis

The long legs black fighter ant

Origin : Spain

Geographical distribution: Southern Europe and North Africa

Breeding level: intermediate

Habitat : Sunny paths and open fields

Colony form: monogenous (only one queen per colony)

Colony size: up to 1000

Size : queen: 8 - 9 mm, workers: 7 to 8 mm long

Color :  black

Queen lifespan: up to 12 years

Food:  Principally proteins too with  fruit flies, little parts of crickets or cockroaches... Also likes sweet liquids and fruity jellies

Unlike some ants, Aphaenogaster senilis workers can't store food in their bodies to share later (social crop) or directly feed the young mouth-to-mouth (trophallaxis). Instead, they bring prey directly to the nest. The larvae are surprisingly skilled eaters and can grab the food themselves if it's close by.

Humidity: 50-70% (important).

Temperature:  23 - 26°C.

Hibernation: Yes, from mid-November to early March at temperatures of 12-15°C.

Nest type:  Ytong, plaster, acrylic, 3D printed nests.

Aphaenogaster senilis queens stand out because they skip the dramatic mating flight seen in most ant species. After mating within the nest, the fertilized queen embarks on colony founding underground, accompanied by just a few loyal workers. This ground reproduction strategy allows them to get a head start on building their new home.

2 colonies avaiable :

Colony A : 1 queen +50/75 workers, in a Ytong nest (offered)

Colony B : 1 queen + 150/200 workers, in a infinite nest with hunting area (offered)