Camponotus ligniperda – Brown-black Carpenter Ant

🐜 PREORDER – Order now

Camponotus ligniperda, better known as the brown-black carpenter ant, is one of the largest native ant species in Europe and is particularly fascinating due to its impressive size. The species is excellently suited for experienced beginners and ant keepers looking for a larger and more imposing ant species.

Due to their size and relatively slow development, Camponotus ligniperda requires a bit more patience than smaller species. However, the development of a colony is particularly exciting to observe.

📦 Important note on preorders

This item is currently available as a PREORDER.

You can pre-order your Camponotus ligniperda colony now. Since these are live animals and the colonies need to be prepared and assembled accordingly, the shipping time after ordering is approx. 2–4 weeks.

Please note that this is an estimated shipping time. As ants are live animals and colonies develop naturally, slight deviations may occur in individual cases.

By placing your order, you agree to the extended shipping time of approx. 2–4 weeks.

🐜 An impressive native ant species

Camponotus ligniperda is a particularly large and striking ant species. Queens reach about 16–18 mm, workers about 6–14 mm. The head and abdomen are predominantly black, while the mid-body and parts of the legs appear reddish-brown.

The species develops slower than many smaller ant species. It is precisely this slow development that makes them interesting for keepers who enjoy watching their colony grow over several years.

🐜 Profile

• Scientific name: Camponotus ligniperda

• German name: Braunschwarze Rossameise (Brown-black Carpenter Ant)

• Distribution: Large parts of Central Europe

• Queen: approx. 16–18 mm

• Workers: approx. 6–14 mm

• Colony size: several thousand to tens of thousands of individuals possible

• Activity: dependent on temperature and season

• Hibernation: Yes

• Difficulty level: ⭐⭐ Medium

• Development: comparatively slow

🌱 Keeping

Camponotus ligniperda can inhabit both soil nests and nests in and under deadwood. In nature, the species can be found in warm, sunny forest edges, in deciduous and mixed forests, and in drier habitats.

For founding, a test tube nest can initially be used. As the colony grows, a suitable formicarium with sufficient space should be provided.

Important considerations are adequate moisture supply, a water source, and reliable escape protection.

🍯 Nutrition

The workers consume sugary food such as honey water or sugar water. Additionally, they need protein-rich food, especially for the development of the brood. Suitable feeder insects can include flies, cockroaches, crickets, or mealworms.

A varied diet adapted to the colony size supports natural development.

❄️ Hibernation

Camponotus ligniperda undergoes hibernation. During this time, activity is significantly reduced.

Hibernation is an important part of the natural annual rhythm of this species and should be taken into account for long-term keeping.

⭐ Why Camponotus ligniperda?

✔ One of the largest native ant species
✔ Impressive body size
✔ Fascinating social behavior
✔ Particularly interesting for patient ant keepers
✔ Exciting development over several years
✔ Native species from Central Europe
✔ Interesting coloration with black and red body parts
✔ Relatively robust species under suitable keeping conditions

📦 Scope of delivery

Depending on the selected variant, you will receive:

Queen + brood

or

Queen + workers + brood

The exact number of workers and the available brood will be specified for each variant.

Note: As these are live animals, the number and size of brood and workers may vary slightly. The development of a colony is a natural process.

⚠️ Important note

Live animals are not ordinary trade goods. Please inform yourself before purchasing about the regulations applicable to your place of residence and about the species-appropriate keeping of Camponotus ligniperda.

A colony should only be acquired when a suitable keeping facility has been prepared.

🛒 PREORDER

Pre-order now and secure your own colony of Camponotus ligniperda.

📦 Estimated shipping time: approx. 2–4 weeks after ordering.

Please note the extended shipping time when placing your order.