{"product_id":"pheidole-pallidula-dikkopmier-koningin-en-10-werksters","title":"Pheidole pallidula, big-headed ant, queen and 10+ workers","description":"\u003ch1\u003ePheidole pallidula Ant Colony 10+\u003c\/h1\u003e\n \n\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nSpecies\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \n\n\u003cp\u003eThis ant is a very small species originating from Southern Europe. Pheidole pallidula ants are also called big-headed ants or fat-headed ants. They are very aggressive towards other ant species and send a relatively large portion of their nest members out to collect food. Additionally, they require more food than the average ant and are constantly searching for it. This is an ant that can easily escape, so ensure you have a good ant farm or prevention measures against escapes. They also need seeds, similar to Messor ants; a mixture of grass seeds.\u003cbr\u003e\nWith proper care, the colony can grow explosively. The ants are very active and there are noticeable size differences among the worker ants (larger colonies will have increasingly larger majors\/soldiers).\u003cbr\u003e\nOur ant colonies consist of a queen along with brood and a number of workers. This number depends on how many eggs have developed into ants (egg-larva-pupa-ant). This colony already contains at least the first 10 workers, meaning these workers were produced by the queen ant herself. This colony also already has majors that are twice as large as the smallest workers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \n\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nFood\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \n\n\u003cp\u003eThe feeding kit above, including seeds, provides a complete diet for this species. The kit consists of sugar water, honeydew, fruit flies, and a starter set of seeds. The starter set of seeds is sufficient for the first year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \n\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nSuitable for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \n\n\u003cp\u003eThe ant colony is intended for acrylic, plaster, and sand ant farms. We also recommend using an arena. The ants can collect their food and dispose of waste there. Many products have an integrated arena.\u003cbr\u003e\nIf you are looking for ants for a gel ant farm, we recommend the ant family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \n\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nPackaging and shipping\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \n\n\u003cp\u003eThe photo shows how the product is actually delivered by us. The colony is in a test tube with a cotton wool stopper at the back providing water to keep part of the nesting tube moist. The colony can remain in this tube for a few weeks without care (after receipt). We also guarantee the life of the queen for this period. If the queen does not arrive alive or dies within 2 weeks, we will provide a replacement colony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n \n\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nSpecifications and information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n \n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"3\"\u003e\n\t\u003ctbody\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eScientific name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003ePheidole Pallidula\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eDutch name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eDikkopmier\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003e2. Experienced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eQueen | Gyne:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003e7-8 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eWorkers:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003e2-5 mm\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tThe larger the colony, the larger the ants that appear\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tMediors and Majors (soldiers).\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eColony type:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eMonogyn and Polygyn\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tColonies can consist of multiple queens (gynes).\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tHowever, this species also develops well with a single gyne.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eNest type:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eSand nests, relatively deep. Very wide, often under grass.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eRoom temperature, 20-30 degrees\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eHibernation:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eNo, but winter rest. Our advice: keep them slightly cooler\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tin winter, around 15 degrees.\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tFor example, in a cellar, cooler attic, or shed.\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tNovember-February\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tOur experience: these ant colonies also develop well at room temperature\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tin winter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eFood:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eSugar or honey water and small insects:\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tOur advice for smaller colonies: fruit flies.\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tAlso various small seeds (grass seeds, bird seeds,\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tdandelion seeds etc...). Ensure a continuous supply of fresh\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tand preferably live food to meet the hunting behavior of this species.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eHumidity:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eSimple. Advice: Keep part of the nest slightly moist.\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tThis species prefers drier conditions than, for example, Lasius\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tniger and Myrmica rubra.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eDistribution area:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003e(Southern) Europe and (Northern) Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eAnt farm recommendation:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eAcrylic, Plaster, or Sand including the use of an Arena Area\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eNotes:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eA very feisty, small ant species. It's interesting to\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tsee how they emerge from the nest in large numbers to\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tcollect food. This is particularly the case if they haven't had (fresh) food\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tfor a while. The colony can grow explosively with proper care.\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tThey are quite aggressive, so ensure a well-sealed nest\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tand arena. Worker ants have a shorter lifespan (a few months),\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\twhich means the colony is constantly developing.\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tA starter setup with a test tube containing the colony and an arena is\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tan excellent start for these colonies, and they can also be kept well in a (smaller) acrylic\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tor plaster product.\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\t \u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Ant's Kingdom | Mierenboerderij","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57217151992143,"sku":"O10PP","price":24.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0996\/6528\/1359\/files\/2026027362.jpg?v=1773846591","url":"https:\/\/ants-kingdom-mierenboerderij.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/pheidole-pallidula-dikkopmier-koningin-en-10-werksters","provider":"Ant's Kingdom | Mierenboerderij","version":"1.0","type":"link"}