Polyrhachis arborea

The standout feature is the queen: she is substantial for the genus, giving the nest a strong central presence among the spined workers. It is a forgiving tropical ant that copes well while you find your feet, with no sting and only a mild bite, so it stays relaxed to keep and observe. The colony settles at a size that is comfortable to manage at home. A fine choice for a newcomer who wants a big, impressive queen and the classic spiny armour without a demanding routine.

Arborea is a sweet-toothed omnivore that tends honeydew and sugary liquids and hunts insects to feed the brood. Keep a carbohydrate source available at all times and add protein two to three times a week; this species takes no seeds.

★★★ readily · ★★ moderately · ★ occasionally · ✗ not eaten

Found the colony in a test tube, then move on once workers cover the floor. As a tropical forest ant it needs a humid, moisture-holding nest of aerated concrete (Ytong), gypsum or a hybrid box kept damp throughout. Given its climbing habit, it thrives with a moist or planted arena fitted with twigs, bark and anchor points. These are determined climbers, so keep a solid fluon (PTFE) or oil barrier, or talc and water, around the rim. An ANTonTOP formicarium or starter kit ships humidity-matched with the vertical arena and barrier.

There is no hibernation, so keep it warm, humid and active year-round. A tropical forest ant, arborea likes nest 24-27 °C and arena 25-29 °C, with nest humidity 70-85% and arena 60-75%. Warm one end of the arena for a gentle gradient the colony can move along.

Spiny ants grow at a moderate tropical pace, with the large queen heading a colony that can reach as many as 5,000 workers over time. Your colony arrives as the queen with her workers and brood, ready to settle into a humid nest.

• The name arborea points to the genus’ strongly arboreal habits, with many Polyrhachis nesting up in foliage rather than in the soil.
• Polyrhachis workers can spin leaves together using silk drawn from their own larvae, building nests high off the ground.
• The genus belongs entirely to the Old World tropics and is one of the most diverse ant lineages in Asia and Australia.
• For all their spines, these ants are stingless and gentle, defending themselves with armour and quick retreat rather than venom.

Is this a good beginner ant?

Yes. It is rated Beginner, hardy and has no sting.

Does Polyrhachis arborea need a winter rest?

No, it is tropical, so keep it warm and active year-round.

Does this spiny ant sting or bite?

No, there is no sting and only a mild bite.

How big does an arborea colony get?

A single-queen colony can grow up to 5,000 workers.

How large is the arborea queen?

The queen is 11-13 mm, with workers at 6-9 mm.

How fast does it grow?

Growth is moderate for a tropical spiny ant.

What does Polyrhachis arborea eat?

Sugar water, nectar or jelly and fresh insects; it does not take seeds.

Will the ants arrive alive?

Yes. Queen, workers and brood ship with a heat or cool pack, dispatched within 24 h with tracking.

Escape prevention. Coat the inner rim of every open arena with fluon (PTFE), or use talc-and-water or an oil barrier as a backup, and keep a tight, fine-mesh lid on top. Check the barrier regularly, since dust, condensation and feeding debris break a fluon line over time. Keep tubing connectors tight and seal any gaps in the nest.

Keeping reminders. Always offer fresh water and never let the nest dry out completely. Give carbohydrates continuously and protein a few times a week, and remove uneaten insect prey within 24 hours before it moulds. Keep the formicarium out of direct sunlight and away from constant vibration, which stresses a young colony. A water-filled test tube plugged with cotton makes an ideal spare incubator whenever you need one.

Before you buy – do not rehouse too early. Have a test-tube setup or a small formicarium with an outworld and a working barrier ready before your colony arrives. A founding colony grows slowly at first, which is normal. Moving a small colony into a large nest too soon invites mould, mites and stress, and the workers die off one by one. Keep the colony in its open test tube on the arena, plug the nest entrance with cotton, and open up the next chambers only once the colony fills roughly 10-15% of the space.

What we ship. Every colony ships with a live-arrival guarantee, backed by our 24h unboxing-video guarantee: if the queen does not arrive alive, we reship free. Parcels travel with DHL, InPost (PL) or EMS, with a heat or cold pack to suit the season, packed discreetly and securely. We ship across the EU and worldwide, with free shipping over the Europe threshold.