Camponotus baldaccii

Name: Camponotus baldaccii
Origin: Southeastern Europe (incl. Italy, Greece, Turkey)
Queen: approx. 14 – 17 mm
Workers: minor approx. 6 – 11 mm, major approx. 11 – 13 mm
Food: Carbohydrates (honey, sugar water), proteins (feeder insects)
Humidity:
Arena: 30 – 50%
Nest: 40 – 60%
Temperature:
Arena: 24 – 28 degrees
Nest: 22 – 26 degrees
Winter Dormancy: Not strictly required, but as a Mediterranean species a light diapause phase in winter is common and recommended
Nest Type: Plaster or Ytong nests with good ventilation
Colony Size: up to approx. 5,000 workers (monogynous)

Advantages and Disadvantages of Camponotus baldaccii:

Advantages:
An attractive, brown-orange coloured carpenter ant species with moderate care requirements – well suited for keepers with some experience.

Disadvantages:
Requires a bit more attention to temperature and humidity than pure beginner species.

Care:
Test tube nest at the start; later a well-ventilated nest with an arena of at least 20×20 cm.

Feeding:
Offer honey or sugar water as well as feeder insects regularly.

Winter Dormancy:
A light winter cooling phase is recommended for this Mediterranean species, even though a strict winter dormancy is not mandatory.