Formica (Raptiformica) sanguinea

This species is very fascinating because of their "robbery of slaves". During the summer month they organize predatory attacks to the nests of their "helping ants" (Slaves) which provide for the inner household. It could be possible that the slaves also be integrate in the defence. According to the slaves they build a species-typical nest for the robber-ants. Raptiformica sanguinea could as well live without slaves contrary to the "Slave-robbers" Polyergus rufescens (protected specie). Inside the Terrarium such a predatory attack can be produced artificially by giving them cocoons of the slave-ants. So it will be possible to control the amount of different slaves.

• Taxonomy: Subfamily Formicinae
• Distribution: Europe
• Characteristics: Monomorph
• Color: red-brown, black abdomen and head
• Nest-building: Ants hill like this of red wood ants
• Hibernation: Yes
• Nutrition: Honeywater, insects
• Air humidity: dry
• Temperature: Room temperature (Day: heating source)
• Soil conditions: Sand, pebbles, roots, forest litter material
• Planting: not necessary
• Level: easy

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Formica (Serviformica) cinerea

• Taxonomy: Subfamily Formicinae
• Distribution: Europe
• Characteristics: Monomorph, greater colonies polygyn
• Appearence: Colour: silver black; a little bit smaller than Formica rufa
• Size: 7 - 9 mm
• Nest-building: Creates sand nests; build sand funnels
• Hibernation: Yes
• Nutrition: Honeywater, insects
• Temperature: Room temperature, very cold resistance
• Soil conditions: Sand
• Planting: veld plants
• Level: easy

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Formica (Serviformica) cunicularia

Common "helping ant" (slaves) like Formica fusca for the predation ants e.g. Raptiformica or Polyergus. It is favored over Formica fusca by Polyergus for example.

• Taxonomy: Subfamily Formicinae
• Distribution: Europe
• Characteristics: Monomorph, colonies seldom polygyn
• Size: Workers: 5 - 7 mm, Queen: 8 -9 mm
• Nest-building: Earth mounds in sunny grass land
• Nutrition: Honeywater, insects
• Hibernation: Yes
• Temperature: warm (at day time heating source possible)
• Soil conditions: Sand-Loam
• Planting: optional
• Level: easy

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Formica (Serviformica) fusca

Common "helping ant" (sclaves) for the predation ants e.g. Raptiformica.

• Taxonomy: Subfamily Formicinae
• Distribution: Europe
• Characteristics: Monomorph, greater colonies polygyn
• Size: 5 - 8 mm
• Appearence of the queen: Colour: glossy black; a little bit smaller than Formica rufa
• Appearence of the workers: Colour: glossy black; a little bit smaller than Formica rufa
• Nest-building: Under rotten wood, under stones and in soil
• Hibernation: Yes
• Nutrition: Honeywater, insects
• Temperature: Room temperature, very cold resistance
• Soil conditions: Similar to the forest biotopes, brieght
• Planting: Moos (optional)
• Level: easy

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Formica (Serviformica) lusatica (polygyn)

A Serviformica which prefers wram, sunny sand habitates.

• Taxonomy: Subfamily Formicinae
• Distribution: Middle- to Northern Europe and Middle Asia
• Characteristics: Monomorph, polygyn
• Size:
• Nest-building: Sand mounds
• Nutrition: Honeywater, insects
• Hibernation: Yes
• Temperature: warm (at day time heating source possible)
• Soil conditions: Sand-Loam
• Planting: optional
• Level: easy

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