Odontomachus troglodyte

Geographical distribution: The species is found in Africa.

Monogyne species or sometimes in pleometroses.

Description of individuals:

Queen: She measures between 14 and 15 mm, reddish-brown worker.

Workers: Their size varies from 12 to 13 mm, reddish-brown workers.

Male: Males measure about 11 mm and have a reddish yellow colour.

Diet: They feed on honeydew, insects such as flies, meal worms, mosquitoes and small locusts.

Environmental conditions:

Humidity: The hunting area must have a humidity of 30 to 50%, while the nest requires a humidity of 50 to 60%.

Temperature: The hunting area must be maintained between 24 and 30 °C, while the nest must be at a temperature of 24 to 27 °C.

Hibernation: not necessary.

Nest type: These ants can use various types of nests, from tube foundation to a nest, a minimum of soil is needed to help the larvae to weave.

Description: The genus odontomachus is a genus particularly known for this Herculean force, nicknamed "trap-jaw ants", it is able to close its mandible at a phenomenal speed to injure it is prey or seize them.

Foundation: The foundation of the colony takes place in a dependent way, it will be necessary to eat the queen during the foundation stage and the development of the egg to the worker takes about 55 days, depending on the temperature.

Colony size: A mature colony of troglodyte odontomachus can count up to 500 individuals.