Cataglyphis bicolor

Colony Type: Polygyny

Colony Size: Up to 5000 workers

Development Speed: Fast

The size of Cataglyphis bicolor ants varies among the castes:

• Queen: 13 – 15 mm
• Workers: 5 – 9 mm
• Majors: 8 – 12 mm

Their reddish brown exoskeleton with a black abdomen gives them a distinctive appearance. This coloration adds to their allure and makes them a visually striking species to observe.

• Food insects (such as cockroaches and crickets) dead, or live if colony is big
• Syrup (a mixture of water and honey or sugar, with a ratio of 4/3 water:1)
• Fruits and vegetables
• Jelly
• Cooked chicken without salt, shrimps
• Honey

Creating a suitable habitat for Cataglyphis bicolor ants is essential to provide them with optimal living conditions. Here are the recommended humidity and temperature ranges for their arena and nest:

• Arena Humidity: 30 – 50%
• Nest Humidity: 50 – 70%
• Arena Temperature: 25 – 35°C
• Nest Temperature: 24 – 28°C

Maintaining the appropriate humidity and temperature levels ensures the ants’ overall well-being and enables them to display their highest activity levels.

As the fastest species of ants, Cataglyphis bicolor ants are known for their incredible speed and agility. Their elongated legs contribute to their swiftness, allowing them to navigate their environment with ease. To observe their fascinating behavior and enjoy their lightning-fast movements, it is recommended to provide a strongly heated arena. The increased temperature enhances their activity and showcases their remarkable abilities. Additionally, Cataglyphis bicolor ants exhibit pronounced polymorphism, meaning there is significant variation in size and appearance among the members of the colony.

For successful breeding of Cataglyphis bicolor ants, we recommend using acrylic or aerated concrete nests. These materials provide the necessary durability and insulation required for the ants’ nest development. While many subspecies of ants require donor cocoons for breeding, Cataglyphis bicolor can be bred from a lone queen. However, it is important to note that breeding this species can be challenging. Consistent provision of protein-rich food sources and syrup, in addition to creating suitable breeding conditions, is crucial for their successful reproduction.

Before making your purchase, ensure that you are prepared to take on the responsibility of breeding and caring for Cataglyphis bicolor ants. While they may present some challenges, their incredible speed and striking appearance make them a truly rewarding species to keep.

Thank you for exploring Cataglyphis bicolor with us. We hope this detailed description has helped you understand and appreciate the unique characteristics of these fascinating ants. Happy ant-keeping!