Description
Name: Tetramorium semilaeve
Origin: Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Southern France, Greece)
Queen: approx. 7 – 9 mm
Workers: approx. 2.5 – 4 mm
Nutrition: Carbohydrates (sugar water, honey), proteins (small insects like flies, crickets, cockroaches)
Humidity:
• Arena: 30 – 50 %
• Nest: 50 – 70 %
Temperature:
• Arena: 24 – 30 °C
• Nest: 26 – 30 °C
Hibernation: Yes, approx. 2 – 3 months at 12 – 15 °C (short hibernation)
Nest type: Ytong, plaster, 3D, or sand-loam nests
Colony size: up to 10,000 workers
Advantages and Disadvantages of the species Tetramorium semilaeve
Advantages:
Very active, adaptable and robust species with rapid colony development. Reliably accepts food and is often active in the arena. Easy to keep and suitable for beginners.
Disadvantages:
Small workers can escape through small openings – outworld security is important. Due to their high activity, the arena can quickly become dirty and needs to be cleaned regularly.
Keeping
During the founding phase, a test tube with a small arena (approx. 10×10 cm) is sufficient. As the colony grows, a larger nest with good outworld security is necessary. Sand-loam or Ytong nests are ideal. An arena of 20×20 cm or larger provides enough space.
Feeding
Very fond of food.
• Proteins (e.g. flies, crickets, cockroaches) every 2–3 days
• Carbohydrates (sugar water, honey)
Hibernation
Tetramorium semilaeve undergoes a short hibernation of approx. 2–3 months at 12 – 15 °C.