European fire ant (Myrmica rubra)

Short answers

European fire ant: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Nest from 10×10 cm plus a foraging area from 20×20 cm.

European fire ant: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C, at night room temperature is enough.

European fire ant: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

European fire ant: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: queen 10–15 years.

European fire ant: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C

Night temperature

room temperature is enough

Humidity

nest 60–80 %, foraging area 40–60 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

nest from 10×10 cm plus a foraging area from 20×20 cm

Substrate

An aerated-concrete or plaster nest, damp

Feeding

Food

Sugar water plus insects

Feeding interval

sugar always available, insects 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

worker 4–6 mm, queen 6–7 mm

Life expectancy

queen 10–15 years

Origin

Europe

Protection status

—

Brumation

Essential: October to March at 5–8 °C

Cohabitation

Colony per enclosure. Polygynous - several queens are normal, averaging around fifteen and up to a hundred per nest in the wild. These animals naturally live in groups. Never combine two colonies - unfamiliar animals are not readily accepted.

Notes

Defensive and with a working sting: stings are harmless to humans but noticeable. It needs it permanently damp.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for European fire ant (Myrmica rubra) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Asian carpenter ant (Camponotus nicobarensis) – Beginner
• Leafcutter ant (Acromyrmex octospinosus) – Experts
• Nylander's acorn ant (Temnothorax nylanderi) – Beginner
• European fire ant (Manica rubida) – Intermediate
• Brown-black carpenter ant (Camponotus ligniperda) – Intermediate
• Harvester ant (Messor barbarus) – Beginner
• Yellow meadow ant (Lasius flavus) – Beginner
• Silky field ant (Formica fusca) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep European fire ant (Myrmica rubra) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (nest from 10×10 cm plus a foraging area from 20×20 cm), substrate (An aerated-concrete or plaster nest, damp), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.