{"product_id":"carebara-affinis-asian-marauder-ant","title":"Carebara Affinis (Asian Marauder Ant)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCarebara affinis\u003c\/em\u003e (Asian Marauder Ant)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA notoriously aggressive and fast growing species of Marauder Ant hailing from the tropics of South East Asia. Often confused with \u003cem\u003eCarebara diversa\u003c\/em\u003e, these require the same keeping parameters but tend to be lighter in colouration. Like \u003cem\u003eC.diversa \u003c\/em\u003ethis species is highly polymorphic and the size difference between a solider and a minor worker is astounding! You wouldn't believe that they are from the same species, let alone same colony. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCarebara affinis \u003c\/em\u003eis not a species for the faint hearted as their ability to grow into super colonies is not something to be taken lightly. In order to raise colonies successfuly, frequent feeding \u0026amp; protein-laden foods are key.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTheir ability to grow at such a high speed is due to the short \u0026amp; fast stages of growth in between their brood cycles. Did you know that it only takes about 7-9 days for a young larvae to pupate?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn order to sustain the many hungry larvae, it is important to offer the colony a variety of freshly killed insects. This is especially important as worker ants of this species do not live very long and therefore, need to replenished efficiently by the colony to thrive succesfully. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhilst these girls are known for the predatory and swarming prowess, it is important to not neglect other food sources such as seeds high in lipid content (fatty seeds to you and I) ; i.e. chia seeds | walnuts | peanuts | amaranthus seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn terms of a suitable captive environment, this species tends to do best in a natural, bioactive setup that replicates the forest floor which they are normally found in. The reason for this is because it tends to promote the right temperature \u0026amp; humidity parameters of a tropical environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThat being said, \u003cem\u003eC.affinis\u003c\/em\u003e will adapt well to plaster\/concrete based formicariums too. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDue to their susceptibility to mites, it is imperative that ventilation is accomodated for as well as frequent cleaning of uneaten foods. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you're looking to be kept on your toes with a new addition to your collection, look no further. With polygynous colonies too, you surely will be left in awe as to how many eggs this species can actually produce. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is \u003cstrong\u003eillegal and strictly frowned upon to release any non-native ants into the wild. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AntsHQ","offers":[{"title":"1 Queen \u0026 Brood","offer_id":64619276271965,"sku":null,"price":54.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1058\/4109\/9101\/files\/Carebara.webp?v=1778251296","url":"https:\/\/www.antshq.co.uk\/products\/carebara-affinis-asian-marauder-ant","provider":"Ants HQ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}