Monomorium chinense
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Description
These very small ants are remarkably resilient to adverse conditions such as stress, desiccation, or prolonged lack of food. They are among the smallest ants available in the hobby and are characterized by incredible colony growth in worker and queen numbers. In the wild, Monomorium chinense live on the edges of forests and meadows, nesting in soil near plant roots. Like most Monomorium species, they reproduce using an unusual method - new queens and males appear in the nest throughout the year, and queens, after shedding their wings, begin laying eggs. At first glance, these ants resemble Monomorium floricola, especially the workers. Queens are more robust. Colonies of this species almost constantly maintain a huge amount of brood in the nest. A 16 cm test tube should already be flooded with brood after half a year under average conditions. Eggs and larvae are so abundant that they behave almost like a liquid. Naturally, such an enormous quantity of brood requires a massive amount of protein for such small ants. A colony housed in a 16 cm test tube can consume several adult cockroaches.
Caution! These ants are notorious escape artists. They will be very difficult to keep for beginners. In the event of an escape, we have not observed them being overly aggressive toward nearby creatures, unlike Monomorium floricola. Nor does it seem that they readily establish themselves in homes, as they always disappeared after a week.
- Species: Monomorium chinense
- Difficulty: Low
- Soldiers: None
- Size: Queens 2-3 mm, workers ~1.5 mm
- Coloration: Black
- Distribution: Asia
- Diet: Large amounts of honey and feeder insects
- Hibernation: None
- Temperature: 24-30°C (75.2-86°F)
- Recommended formicarium: Test tube or another small and very tight nest
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