Polyrhachis for Sale — Live Spined ants & Founding Queens

Year-round shipping across Europe and the UK

Other ant shops stop shipping when it gets too cold or too hot. We do not. ANTonTOP ships live ants 12 months a year, because every order leaves Poland in seasonal thermal packaging matched to the destination weather. Winter orders include a 72-hour heat pack that keeps the queen above 18 °C even when outdoor temperatures drop below freezing. Summer orders include a cool gel pack and ventilated packaging that hold the queen below 28 °C through heat waves.

Inside Poland we ship via InPost parcel locker (1 to 2 business days). Across the EU and to the United Kingdom we ship via DHL Express (2 to 3 business days for EU destinations, 4 to 7 business days for the UK). No import paperwork is required from you. Live arrival is guaranteed in every destination.

Direct from a Polish ant breeder, not a reseller

ANTonTOP is one man, one workshop, and 330+ live ant species raised in-house in Poland. Most queens in our catalogue are wild-caught after their nuptial flight, then founded and raised under controlled conditions until they are stable enough to travel. We ship only healthy colonies. Sick or weak queens never leave the facility.

Questions about a specific queen go straight to the breeder by message, and replies come back within 24 hours, often within minutes.

About the Polyrhachis genus

Polyrhachis is one of the most kept genera in the hobby. Known for arboreal nesters, several silk-weaving species, distinctive thoracic spines. 23 species in our live catalogue, ranging from beginner-friendly to expert-only specimens.

Popular Polyrhachis species we ship

• P. dives (silk weaver, popular display)
• P. illaudata (large spines)
• P. lamellidens (lamellated spines)

Polyrhachis care basics

Temperature 22 to 26 °C for most species (28 °C for tropical, 30 °C for desert species like Cataglyphis). Humidity 40-60% in nest, 60-80% in arena. Sugar source daily, protein 2-3 times per week (seed mix for harvester genera). European species need 3-4 month winter rest at 8-12 °C; tropical species stay active year-round.

What every live ant order includes

• The living queen or established ant colony you ordered, in a humid test tube or transit container.
• Insulated mailing box with seasonal heat pack or cool pack matched to your weather.
• Species-specific care sheet covering temperature, humidity, feeding, and housing.
• Tracking number with door-to-door visibility, sent on dispatch day.
• Live arrival guarantee paperwork and clear claim instructions.

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Frequently asked questions about Polyrhachis ants

What is special about Polyrhachis ants?

Polyrhachis ants are spined ants. Arboreal nesters, several silk-weaving species, distinctive thoracic spines.

How many Polyrhachis species do you sell?

23 species across the catalogue. Browse the live list below for current stock and individual species pages with detailed care notes.

Do you ship Polyrhachis to the UK?

Yes. We ship to the United Kingdom via DHL Express in 4 to 7 business days. No import paperwork is required from you.

How long does delivery take?

1 to 2 days inside Poland via InPost. 2 to 3 days to Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium via DHL Express. 3 to 5 days to other EU countries. 4 to 7 days to the United Kingdom.

What size formicarium for a Polyrhachis colony?

Founding queens start in a test tube nest. Move to a small acrylic or gypsum nest after the first 15-20 workers emerge. Mature colonies need L or XL multi-chamber setups depending on species size.

Live arrival guarantee on Polyrhachis?

Yes — full re-ship at our cost if the queen does not arrive alive. Take a photo or video on the day of receipt and contact us within 24 hours.