Solenopsis gayi

Species: Solenopsis gayi
Difficulty: Medium
Caste formation: No
Queen: approx. 6–7 mm
Worker: approx. 2–4 mm
Founding type: Fully claustral (independent)
Origin / Location: Taltal, Chile
Number of queens: Polygynous
Temperature for keeping: 24–28 °C
Humidity: 50–70%
Diet: Honey water, sugar water, small insects (e.g., fruit flies)
Hibernation: Yes, approx. 2–3 months at 15–20 °C (slightly varying depending on region of origin)
Nest type: Acrylic nest, Ytong (aerated concrete), earth nest, test tube
Special features:
Solenopsis gayi is an interesting fire ant species with lively behavior. It is small but very active and forms fast-growing colonies. Due to its curious nature, it is well-suited for observation – however, caution is advised: it can react aggressively if disturbed. A special feature of this species is that it practices inbreeding, which allows colonies to maintain and reproduce long-term even without a new gene pool.