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[dspdrew]

Scientific Name:  Camponotus vagus
 
Common Name:  European black wood ant, black giant ant
 
Distribution:  This species is most commonly found in the Mediterranean area, but it has been recorded all across Europe and even western and southern parts of Russia.
 
Queen size:  14-16 mm
 
Worker size:  6-10 mm
 
Major size:  11-13 mm
 
Natural Habitat:  This species is a wood dwelling one, they live inside of dead rotting trees and wood stumps in warm forests.
 
Circadian Activity:  Diurnal
 
Mating Flight:  Mating flights occur from April to June, they are most common during April and May. Some alates have even been recorded in July and August, however this is only in mountainous areas.
 
Queen Founding Method:  Fully claustral
 
Monogyne or Polygyne:  Monogyne
 
Average time from egg to worker:  Egg to Larvae = ~18 days; Larvae to pupae = ~10 days; Pupae to worker = ~12 days
The genus Camponotus is notorious for their slow development so that includes Camponotus vagus.
 
Recommended Temperature:  During summer they prefer temperatures of 24°C to 28°C (~75°F to ~82°F) and during winter they prefer temperatures of 5°C to 8°C (41°F to ~46°F).
 
Recommended Humidity:  They like drier environments which is why they nest in wood. ~50% humidity is preferred.
 
Preferred Foods:  Crushed insects like centipedes, crickets or flies and also boiled eggs are good for protein and for sugar they prefer sugar water, in nature they sometimes tend to aphids and drink their honeydew.
 
Hibernation Details:  They hibernate at 5°C to 8°C (41°F to ~46°F), it is recommended to hibernate them from end of November to end of February.
 
Escape Barrier Methods:  Fluon works great with this species as well as a mixture of baby powder and alcohol, some even use olive oil as a barrier but Fluon lasts longer.
 
Difficulty rating:  They are easy to raise however due to their slow growth much patience is needed.
 
Bite and/or Sting rating:  If provoked they can bite but they can’t sting, their bite doesn’t hurt.
 
Special Care or Interesting Notes:  They love wood so a wooden nest is preferred, however if the wood is rotted they can chew through it.
 
Additional Links:
https://www.antweb.o...s&species=vagus
https://antwiki.org/...amponotus_vagus
https://www.antsdave...amponotus-vagus
 
 
Information submitted by Kristijan