Stigmatomma reclinatum (Vampire Ants)
Stigmatomma reclinatum (Vampire Ants)
Stigmatomma reclinatum, commonly known as the Asian Vampire Ant, is a captivating species of tropical ant that stands out due to its unique morphology and intriguing behaviour. These ants are relatively inconspicuous in appearance, however upon closer inspection one will notice a pair of long, oval shaped mandibles that are not frequently seen with other species.
Originating from various regions in Asia, including South and Southeast Asia, Stigmatomma reclinatum is typically found in warm and humid habitats like forest floors, leaf litter, and underneath decaying logs.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this ant species is their specialised predatory behavior. Stigmatomma reclinatum exhibits a cryptic hunting strategy, utilizing their elongated, oval shaped mandibles to ambush unsuspecting prey. Their hunting techniques are well adapted to capturing small arthropods, making them efficient predators in their natural habitat.
In captivity, this species thrives in high humidity environments, with levels ideally ranging from 70% to 80%. Temperature parameters should be kept between 22°C and 26°C, mimicking the conditions of their native habitat. Many enthusiasts prefer to create bioactive setups for these ants, using substrates like cocoa peat and clay to replicate their natural environment.
These Vampire Ants get their common name as workers will typically rely on their own larvae's haemolymph by piercing through the skin (without actually causing any permanent damage to their young)!
All in all, a fascinating species of ant that does not grow to large colony sizes with colonies having a couple of hundred workers at most.
It is illegal and strictly frowned upon to release any non-native ants into the wild.
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