Monomorium subopacum

Monomorium subopacum

These are a small but active species native to tropical and subtropical regions, particularly found in parts of Southern Europe and Africa. This species is known for its industrious foraging behavior and polygynous colony structure, making it a fascinating species to observe. 

Colonies in the wild can often contain dozens of queens and easily into the hundreds for large, established mature nests. 

Their small size and remarkable ability to adapt to different environments make them quite hardy in captivity, thriving in a variety of conditions. It should be noted that these ants can inbreed and will produce sexual alates that can mate within their nest to expand their colony size. 

For optimal care, Monomorium subopacum should be kept in a warm environment with temperatures between 24°C to 29°C. They also prefer a moderate humidity level around 50% to 60%. This species is highly omnivorous and will take a range of foods, being especially fond of red runner roaches and sugary nectars. 

Due to their inbreeding capabilities and fast growth, Monomorium subopacum is not recommended to beginners and should only be considered if one has previous ant keeping experience. Whilst they are not fussy and and can tolerate a range of conditions, their small size means you'll need to ensure their enclosure is escape-proof and modular, to ensure expansion of the nest. 

It is illegal and strictly frowned upon to release any non-native ants into the wild.