Hot

Formica cinerea

Hurry and get discounts up to 40% Read more

Formica cinerea is a medium-sized ant species with gray coloration. They form monogynous colonies of up to 10,000 workers. They require a medium development speed and prefer a diet of insect food, syrup, fruits, vegetables, jelly, and cooked chicken. They thrive in humidity.

zł 44.70 – zł 77.90

Compare

Add to wishlist

Shipping and returns

We give a 100% guarantee for the delivery of a live queen and colony to the client. You can read more about guarantees on the Guarantees page.

Product care

The most important thing is that you read the temperature conditions, moisture and what to feed the ants. It is important not to introduce too small a colony into a large formicarium, much less just one queen. It’s good if the formicarium is divided by partitions and if the first chamber is very small (such as in our Comfort formicarium). We recommend reading more information about keeping ants in our blogs!

Product details

Difficulty in breeding	For intermediates
Behavior	Moderate
Wintering	Wintering
The size of ants	Medium
Origin	Europe

Description

Formica cinerea: The Grey Ant Species

Formica cinerea is a fascinating ant species known for its distinctive grey color and monogynous colony structure. With a colony size of up to 10,000 workers, this ant species thrives in moderate development speed and offers unique features that make it a popular choice among ant enthusiasts.

Size and Appearance

The queen ant of Formica cinerea measures approximately 10-12mm in length, making her easily distinguishable from the workers that range from 6-8 mm. The grey color of their exoskeleton gives them a distinct appearance that sets them apart from other ant species.

Nutrition

Formica cinerea has diverse dietary preferences. They primarily feed on insect food such as cockroaches and crickets. However, they also enjoy syrup made from a combination of water and honey, using ratios of 4:1, 3:1, or 2:1. Along with this, they can feed on fruits, vegetables, jelly, and cooked chicken without salt. This broad dietary range makes it easier to care for and provide the necessary sustenance for Formica cinerea colonies.

Humidity and Temperature

Proper humidity in the arena and the nest plays a crucial role in the health and growth of Formica cinerea colonies. Maintaining a humidity level between 30-50% in the arena and 50-60% in the nest creates an optimal environment for these ants to thrive.

Temperature control is equally important for Formica cinerea. In the arena, a temperature range of 22-28 °C is recommended, while the nest should be kept at a slightly cooler range of 21-24 °C. These temperature ranges mimic their natural habitat conditions and help maintain their well-being.

Species Feature

One of the fascinating features of Formica cinerea is their ability to collect honeydew from aphid colonies. Aphids produce a sugary substance called honeydew, which acts as a food source for these ants. This mutually beneficial relationship between the ants and aphids is intriguing to observe.

Recommended Nests for Breeding

When it comes to creating a suitable environment for breeding, Formica cinerea can thrive in various nest types. Acrylic, gypsum, aerated concrete, earth, and cork are all recommended materials to consider for their nests. These materials offer a range of options and allow for customization to meet the specific needs and preferences of the colony.

In Conclusion

Formica cinerea is a captivating ant species that offers unique characteristics for ant enthusiasts. From their grey coloration to their monogynous colony structure, these ants are a fascinating addition to any collection. Their diverse dietary preferences, humidity, and temperature requirements make them relatively easy to care for. Additionally, their ability to collect honeydew from aphid colonies adds to the fascination of observing and studying their behavior. If you are looking for an interesting and visually striking ant species to keep, **Formica cinerea** is an excellent choice.