Harpegnathos venator

Name: Harpegnathos venator
Origin: South and Southeast Asia (including India)
Queen: approx. 16 – 18 mm, very similar to the workers
Workers: approx. 16 – 18 mm, monomorphic, jumping hunting ants with large compound eyes
Food: exclusively protein (live or freshly killed insects such as fruit flies, crickets, cockroaches)
Humidity:
Arena: 60 – 70%
Nest: 60 – 80%
Temperature:
Arena: 21 – 30 degrees
Nest: 24 – 28 degrees
Winter Dormancy: No
Nest Type: Plaster or aerated concrete (Ytong) nests with good ventilation
Colony Size: usually up to approx. 100 – 300 workers

Advantages and Disadvantages of Harpegnathos venator:

Advantages:
Harpegnathos venator fascinates with its hunting behaviour involving long jumps. If the colony loses its queen, workers can become egg-laying "gamergates" – a unique form of social behaviour.

Disadvantages:
Suitable only for experienced keepers. This species requires exclusively live or fresh prey and can deliver a painful sting if handled improperly.

Care:
Test tube setup with a small, well-secured arena. Since these ants can jump well, strong escape-proofing is important.

Feeding:
Offer exclusively protein such as fruit flies, small crickets, or cockroaches every 2 – 3 days.