Camponotus borellii

Camponotus borellii

Camponotus borellii is a Neotropical ant species native to Argentina and Paraguay, belonging to the Formicinae subfamily. Workers are variable in size, with major workers significantly larger than minors, a typical trait of Camponotus. The species was originally described as a subspecies of Camponotus maculatus but was later elevated to full species status. They belong to the subgenus Tanaemyrmex, which includes many large, robust carpenter ants known for their omnivorous diet and tendency to nest in wood. This species has been documented in the Caldenal district of Argentina and the La Pampa region, indicating preference for semi-arid to moderately humid grassland ecosystems.

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Easy
• Origin & Habitat: Native to Argentina and Paraguay, found in the Caldenal district and La Pampa region. They inhabit grassland and savanna ecosystems in the Neotropical region ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Likely monogyne (single queen colony) based on typical Camponotus patterns. Queens establish nests independently through claustral founding.
  • Colony: Monogyne
  • Founding: Claustral
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Estimated 12-16mm based on genus Camponotus patterns
  • Worker: Major workers 8-12mm, minor workers 5-7mm, typical for Camponotus species in the C. maculatus group
  • Colony: Likely reaches several thousand workers at maturity based on genus patterns
  • Growth: Moderate, Camponotus species typically take 2-3 months to first workers, then grow steadily
  • Development: Estimated 6-10 weeks at optimal temperature based on typical Camponotus development (Development time depends on temperature, warmer conditions within safe range accelerate development)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at room temperature, ideally 20-26°C. A heating cable on one side of the nest creates a gradient allowing ants to self-regulate.
  • Humidity: Moderate humidity is sufficient. Keep nest substrate slightly moist but allow portions to dry between waterings. These ants come from regions with seasonal rainfall patterns.
  • Diapause: May benefit from a mild winter rest period (reduced temperatures to 15-18°C for 2-3 months) but this is not strictly required for survival. Observed specimens collected April-June suggest some seasonal activity reduction ^[2].
  • Nesting: In captivity, they do well in Y-tong (AAC), plaster, or acrylic nests. Provide narrow chambers suitable for their size. They are not arboreal, they will use ground-level nests readily.
• Behavior: Generally calm and non-aggressive toward keepers. Like most Camponotus, they are primarily nocturnal foragers. Workers are robust and can deliver a mild sting if provoked, though this species is not considered dangerous. They are moderate escape artists, ensure your formicarium has tight-fitting lids and consider barrier methods like fluon on edges. They forage for honeydew, nectar, and insect prey.
• Common Issues: colonies can stall if temperatures drop too low for extended periods, test tube setups work well for founding but need upgrading to formicarium as colony grows, overfeeding can lead to mold in nest chambers, remove uneaten prey promptly, wild-caught colonies may contain parasites, quarantine and observe new colonies, major workers are impressive but smaller minors do most of the day-to-day work

Housing and Nest Setup

Camponotus borellii adapts well to various captive setups. For founding colonies, a standard test tube setup works perfectly, the queen seals herself in and raises her first brood in a simple chamber. Once the colony reaches 20-30 workers, consider upgrading to a proper formicarium. Y-tong (AAC) nests are excellent for this species because they provide appropriate chamber sizes and allow you to observe the colony easily. Plaster nests also work well, providing natural moisture regulation. Whatever setup you choose, ensure there is a water chamber or moisture source that allows the ants to control their own humidity. These ants are not climbers like some arboreal species, they do fine in horizontal or low-profile nests. ^[1]

Feeding and Diet

As omnivorous carpenter ants, Camponotus borellii accepts a wide variety of foods. Their diet should include both carbohydrates and protein. For carbohydrates, offer sugar water, honey, or diluted maple syrup, these ants readily accept sweet liquids and will form a feeding frenzy around a drop of honey. For protein, provide insects like mealworms, small crickets, or fruit flies. In the wild, they likely tend aphids or collect honeydew from sap-sucking insects, so replicating this with sugar sources keeps them healthy. Feed protein prey 2-3 times per week, and keep a constant sugar source available. Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent mold issues.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

These Argentine ants prefer moderate temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s Celsius. Room temperature (around 20-24°C) is usually sufficient for healthy colony development. If your home runs cool, a heating cable placed on one side of the nest can create a beneficial temperature gradient, the ants will move to their preferred warmth. Avoid temperatures above 30°C as this can stress the colony. Regarding seasonal care, while not strictly required to hibernate, a slight reduction in temperature during winter months (dropping to 15-18°C for 2-3 months) may support natural colony cycles and promote healthier brood development in spring. This aligns with observations of reduced activity in cooler months ^[2].

Colony Development and Growth

A newly mated queen will seal herself into a chamber and lay her first batch of eggs. She feeds these eggs and larvae from her own body reserves, this is called claustral founding. The first workers, called nanitics, are typically smaller than normal workers but they immediately begin caring for the queen and subsequent brood. After the nanitics emerge, the colony enters a growth phase where worker population increases steadily. Camponotus colonies can live for many years, with queens potentially surviving 15-20 years in captivity. Growth rate is moderate, expect 6-10 weeks from egg to first worker, then several months to reach 50+ workers. Patience is key with carpenter ants, they are long-lived and the colony will grow substantially given time.

Behavior and Handling

Camponotus borellii workers are relatively calm compared to some more aggressive ant species. They go about their business methodically and will retreat rather than attack when disturbed. Major workers, with their enlarged heads and powerful mandibles, are primarily for defense and seed processing rather than routine foraging. The smaller minor workers handle most tasks including foraging, brood care, and nest maintenance. While they possess the ability to sting, this species is not considered dangerous to humans, the sting is mild and they are unlikely to use it unless directly handled or their nest is severely threatened. They are primarily nocturnal, so you will see more activity in the evening and morning hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

References