{"product_id":"pheidole-pallidula-dikkopmier-koningin-en-20-werksters","title":"Pheidole pallidula, big-headed ant, queen and 20+ workers","description":"\u003ch1\u003ePheidole pallidula ant colony 20+\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 and originates from Southern Europe. Pheidole sp. ants are also known as big-headed ants. They are very aggressive towards other ant species and emerge from the nest in relatively large numbers to collect food. Additionally, they require more food than the average ant and are constantly searching for it. This ant is prone to escaping, so ensure you have a good ant farm or preventative measures. They also need seeds, similar to Messor ants; a mix 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 produce 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 20 workers, meaning these workers were produced by the queen ant herself. \u003c\/p\u003e\n \n\n\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nNutrition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n \n\n\u003cp\u003eThe nutrition 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 plug behind it providing a water supply to keep the nest tube partially moist. The colony can remain in this tube for up to a few weeks without care (after receipt). We also guarantee the queen's life for this duration. 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 Sp.\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\u003eBig-headed ant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty class\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\u003eMonogynous and Polygynous\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: even at room temperature in winter, \u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tthese ant colonies continue to develop well.\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 continuously fresh\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tand preferably live food to accommodate\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tthe 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 Advice:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eAcrylic, Plaster, or Sand including an Arena area\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\t\u003ctr\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eRemarks:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\t\u003ctd\u003eA very feisty, small ant species. It is interesting to \u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tobserve how they emerge from the nest in large numbers to \u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tcollect food. This is especially true if they \u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\thaven't had (fresh) food for a while. The colony \u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tcan grow explosively with proper care. \u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tThey are quite aggressive, so ensure a well-sealed \u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tnest and arena. The worker ants have a shorter \u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tlifespan (a few months), which means the colony is continuously \u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tdeveloping.\u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tA starter setup with a test tube containing a colony and an arena is \u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tan excellent start for these colonies. They can also be kept well in a (smaller) acrylic \u003cbr\u003e\n\t\t\tor plaster product.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\t\t\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\t\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n \n\n\u003ch1\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n \u003c\/h1\u003e","brand":"Ant's Kingdom | Mierenboerderij","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57217951433039,"sku":"PS20","price":29.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0996\/6528\/1359\/files\/2026027314_3b8cb943-c345-4d02-9d56-66784b22a1b0.jpg?v=1773828295","url":"https:\/\/ants-kingdom-mierenboerderij.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/pheidole-pallidula-dikkopmier-koningin-en-20-werksters","provider":"Ant's Kingdom | Mierenboerderij","version":"1.0","type":"link"}