Species guide
The species you can pick when you start a colony, grouped by where they come from — which is what decides whether you need a cold cellar for the winter or a heat mat for the summer. Readings you log are checked against these ranges.
Tropical America
The same year-round warmth, with humidity to match. This is the demanding end of the hobby.
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Acromyrmex octospinosus
Leafcutter ant
Central America, northern South America and the Caribbean
24–26 °C 80–90 %Advanced No hibernation
General guidance for each species — your own colony may differ, and your own log is the better source once you have one. Every species page links to AntWiki, which collects the published literature and is where to check a number rather than take it from here.
Species you may not keep
These five ants are on the EU list of invasive alien species of Union concern under Regulation (EU) 1143/2014. Keeping, breeding, transporting or selling them is prohibited across the EU, Belgium included. None of them are in the guide above, and this app flags a colony if you record one.
- Brachyponera chinensis Asian needle ant AntWiki
- Solenopsis geminata Tropical fire ant AntWiki
- Solenopsis invicta Red imported fire ant AntWiki
- Solenopsis richteri Black imported fire ant AntWiki
- Wasmannia auropunctata Electric ant AntWiki
The list changes. Check the official list rather than trusting this page.