{"product_id":"goniomma-hispanicum","title":"Goniomma Hispanicum","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGoniomma hispanicum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a small species of granivorous ant found along the Mediterranean. Recently introduced into the hobby, there is currently not very much known about their behaviour and biology. However, scientists have determined that colonies are often found near species like \u003cem\u003ePheidole pallidula \u003c\/em\u003eand therefore, share similar nesting habits. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eQueens of this species measure around 5mm and workers are even smaller at around 2-3mm in size. Both are dark brown\/black in colour. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFounding queens should be kept in small test tubes until first workers appear. Whilst it is believed that they are fully claustral, we have found that feeding them every 12-14 days during the founding stage increases the likelihood of success. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eColonies should be kept between 24-26C and a relative humidity of 40%. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSimimilarly to \u003cem\u003eMessor spp. \u003c\/em\u003ethis species will depend on seeds as well as insects and sugary substances. With seeds, we find that crushing them beforehand leads to a stronger feeding response in comparison to whole. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, nests can be found underground (sand\/loam\/clay) or just beneath man made structures like pavement slabs. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMature colonies are strictly monogynous and typically small with only a few hundred individuals.\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":64619283415389,"sku":null,"price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1058\/4109\/9101\/files\/GoniommaHispanicum11.webp?v=1778445682","url":"https:\/\/www.antshq.co.uk\/products\/goniomma-hispanicum","provider":"Ants HQ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}