Camponotus Ligniperdus

Camponotus Ligniperdus Ant Species

About Camponotus Ligniperdus

Camponotus ligniperdus are a large and strong species of ants black-brown in color with a coloration that is red on their thorax. These species are very much aggressive and they can even consume bigger amounts of insects with a very much ease. This species of ant like to build nests in dead woodland and underground. This ant is most common in European countries such as Belgium, Switzerland, and France. Like the other species, Camponotus ligniperdus grow quite slowly, meaning that it can take a very long time for the eggs to mature in to workers. Single Queens may even take a couple of months to create a small colony, thus they do require enough patience. Camponotus ligniperdus species forage for preys that are large and they also make good use of their big mandibles. Camponotus ligniperdus benefits also from a 24 degrees Celcius extra heating by the means of a cable or heat mat. During the winter, Campotonus ligniperdus hibernate, and they wake from the hibernation around late March.

Image Source : http://myrmekolog.pl/Sklep/Mrowki/?add=23

What They Like To Eat

Campotonus ligniperdus do eat many types of food that are different, but their major source of food being insects. They also like consuming foods that are sugary like honey water and apple slices. Eating dead insects, chicken, ham, and beef, can further help the colony growth and the development of the brood. Generally, it is stated that giving foods (insects) that are alive to colonies of ants that are small is not a move that is wise because it is unlikely if they will kill it. Mealworms are the most popular protein source. Apart from the mealworms, fruit flies, bees, moths, locusts, crickets, wasps, spiders and bluebottle flies are also suitable for a colony of ants.

The Home and Habitat

The Campotonus ligniperdus prefers an environment that is of mixed woodland and with spruces that are of the high part. They may also live in half-xeric and xeric grassland. Campotonus ligniperdus may also inhabit both deciduous and mixed forests. Campotonus ligniperdus species’ nests are built mostly in trees that are dead or stumps of wood. Furthermore, they have been spotted in stony banks and also along the borders of woodlands.

Attacks Against other Ant Colonies

Campotonus ligniperdus are very aggressive ant species that bite freely and might at times attack the other Formica and Campotonus colonies. The workers who are large bite their opponents right through the alitrunk or even crush the opponents’ heads with their mandibles which are strong. Campotonus ligniperdus possess a mechanism by which the individuals can determine whether others are nest mates or not members of their colony.