Features Blog
Ant Food Explained
Darcy Lehmann
Ant Food Explained
Darcy Lehmann

In the first part of this two part series we take a look at ant food.

Darcy Lehmann
Identifying The Ants You Find This Ant Keeping Season.
Darcy Lehmann
Identifying The Ants You Find This Ant Keeping Season.
Darcy Lehmann

In Part 3 we take a look at identifying the species.

Darcy Lehmann
Is This Ant A Queen?
Darcy Lehmann
Is This Ant A Queen?
Darcy Lehmann

In Part 2 we take a look at identifying a queen.

Darcy Lehmann
The Beginning of the Australian Anting Season
Darcy Lehmann
The Beginning of the Australian Anting Season
Darcy Lehmann

As the mercury rises and winter fades into spring, we mark the beginning of another anting season here in Australia! 

Darcy Lehmann
CHECK OUT OUR LATEST PHOTOGRAHPY
Technomyrmex sp.
Technomyrmex sp.
Camponotus sp.
Camponotus sp.
Monomorium sp.
Monomorium sp.

Ants drink the nectar from flowers and in the process inadvertently help pollinate them.

Near Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Camponotus cf suffusus
Camponotus cf suffusus

A darker version of Camponotus suffusus with a deep red coloured head.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia.

Taxonomers Link

Aphaenogaster longiceps
Aphaenogaster longiceps

These ants are known for building large funnel shaped nest entrances giving them their common name of Funnel Ants. Here a worker is excavating a nest after rain.

Near Hurstbridge, Victoria, Australia.

Aphaenogaster longiceps
Aphaenogaster longiceps

An Aphaenogaster longiceps ant.

Near Hurstbridge, Victoria, Australia.

Anonychomyrma sp.
Anonychomyrma sp.

These tiny Anonychomyrma ants have caught a Rhytidoponera ant and are attempting to drag it back to their nest.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia.

Taxonomers link.

Dolichoderus cf scrobiculatus
Dolichoderus cf scrobiculatus

This Dolichoderus scrobiculatus ant leaves the nest for a portrait.

Near Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia.

Full Resolution 6720 × 4480.

Unknown sp.
Unknown sp.

An unknown species of ant smiles for the camera.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia.

Taxonomers Link.

Rhytidoponera tasmaniensis
Rhytidoponera tasmaniensis

Rhytidoponera are quite common in Australia and this species is found all across the state of Victoria and Tasmania.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia.

Taxonomers Link.

Rhytidoponera tasmaniensis
Rhytidoponera tasmaniensis

A very common ant in Victoria.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia.

Camponotus consobrinus
Camponotus consobrinus

Camponotus consobrinus in their black colourway.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia.

Taxonomers link.

Pheidole sp.
Pheidole sp.

A major Pheidole worker amongst her smaller minor sisters. It is assumed she will darken over time.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia 

Want to know where and when this photo was taken? Taxonomers Link

Dolichoderus scabridus
Dolichoderus scabridus

Near Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Taxonomers Link

Iridomyrmex sp.
Iridomyrmex sp.

A medium sized Iridomyrmex ant colony feeds on a tree.

Near Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Taxonomers Link

Myrmecia swalei
Myrmecia swalei

A beautiful species of jack jumper bull ant Myrmecia swalei. Currently only known to reside in Western Australia and some areas of South Australia.

Near Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.

Taxonomers Link

EQUIPMENT
Meet "The Maw"
Brendon Cameron
Meet "The Maw"
Brendon Cameron

From the CrazyLegs Creations range of hand crafted hebel formicariums comes a nest with a very unique appearance. 

Brendon Cameron
VIDEOS
Ants Australia Release New Video In Docu Series
Brendon Cameron
Ants Australia Release New Video In Docu Series
Brendon Cameron

Although we're a little late to the party, Ants Australia released their next video in their docu series titles, Wood Ants.

Brendon Cameron
REVIEWS
Karınca Çiftliğim Formicaria Design 2 & 3 Review
Martinho Oxalá
Karınca Çiftliğim Formicaria Design 2 & 3 Review
Martinho Oxalá

We check out the Turkish formicaria builders new formicariums.

Martinho Oxalá
FORMICARIA
Dragon's Egg Revisited
Brian Martell
Dragon's Egg Revisited
Brian Martell

Here's a little formicarium from Brian Martell for an Australian ant keeper with a tighter budget.

Brian Martell
Featured
Meet "The Maw"
Brendon Cameron
Meet "The Maw"
Brendon Cameron

From the CrazyLegs Creations range of hand crafted hebel formicariums comes a nest with a very unique appearance. 

Brendon Cameron
ANTS Everything Makes A Big Splash Into The Market With 3D Printed Connectors
Darcy Lehmann
ANTS Everything Makes A Big Splash Into The Market With 3D Printed Connectors
Darcy Lehmann

A simple 3D printed test tube connector from the new Ants Everything brand.

Darcy Lehmann
Wall Mounted Formicarium
Darcy Lehmann
Wall Mounted Formicarium
Darcy Lehmann

A formicarium you can hang on the wall.

Darcy Lehmann
"Growable Nest" From Antz For All
Darcy Lehmann
"Growable Nest" From Antz For All
Darcy Lehmann

A founding style "growable" nest from Antz For All.

Darcy Lehmann
Meet Ant Store's New Acrylic Nests, Antcube
Brendon Cameron
Meet Ant Store's New Acrylic Nests, Antcube
Brendon Cameron

Ant Store, Europes, and arguably the Worlds largest manufacturer, has released a new range of acrylic nests called Antcube

Brendon Cameron
Live TV Interview Interrupted By "Giant" Mating Ants
Brendon Cameron
Live TV Interview Interrupted By "Giant" Mating Ants
Brendon Cameron

In an unfortunate case of bad timing, a live TV interview in Australia has been interrupted by a mating swarm of ants during their nuptial flight.

Brendon Cameron
Ants Australia's New Acrylic Nests
Darcy Lehmann
Ants Australia's New Acrylic Nests
Darcy Lehmann

Ants Australia made a really big impact on the formicarium market with their Ytong Nests that they released earlier this year. Now they're introducing a new range of acrylic nests!

Darcy Lehmann
AntKit Unveils New "Foundation Kit"
Brendon Cameron
AntKit Unveils New "Foundation Kit"
Brendon Cameron

In an industry where innovation is sometimes difficult to come by, this Foundation Kit from AntKit is a sight for sore eyes.

Brendon Cameron
Ants Australia Release New Video In Docu Series
Brendon Cameron
Ants Australia Release New Video In Docu Series
Brendon Cameron

Although we're a little late to the party, Ants Australia released their next video in their docu series titles, Wood Ants.

Brendon Cameron
Antworlds Honeycomb Nests
Darcy Lehmann
Antworlds Honeycomb Nests
Darcy Lehmann

Today we are having a look at the range of honeycomb nests now being produced by Antworlds.

Darcy Lehmann
Bill Clinton Owns Two Ant Farms!
Brendon Cameron
Bill Clinton Owns Two Ant Farms!
Brendon Cameron

That's right, the former President of America owns not one, but two ant farms!

Brendon Cameron
Dragon's Egg Revisited
Brian Martell
Dragon's Egg Revisited
Brian Martell

Here's a little formicarium from Brian Martell for an Australian ant keeper with a tighter budget.

Brian Martell
Brendon Cameron
Taxonomers Can Help ID Your Ants
Brendon Cameron

See if you can help others by identifying ants on Taxonomers.com.

Brendon Cameron
A Potted Plant Formicarium From Empire Of Ants
Darcy Lehmann
A Potted Plant Formicarium From Empire Of Ants
Darcy Lehmann

Empire Of Ants has created a formicarium that seems to be effective, whilst also displaying a sense of class.

Darcy Lehmann
Happy Ant Launches New E-Shop
Brendon Cameron
Happy Ant Launches New E-Shop
Brendon Cameron

A new e-shop from Czech manufacturer, Happy Ant, makes purchasing a breeze.

Brendon Cameron

Equipment From The Blog

Featured
Meet "The Maw"
Meet "The Maw"

From the CrazyLegs Creations range of hand crafted hebel formicariums comes a nest with a very unique appearance. 

ANTS Everything Makes A Big Splash Into The Market With 3D Printed Connectors
ANTS Everything Makes A Big Splash Into The Market With 3D Printed Connectors

A simple 3D printed test tube connector from the new Ants Everything brand.

Wall Mounted Formicarium
Wall Mounted Formicarium

A formicarium you can hang on the wall.

"Growable Nest" From Antz For All
"Growable Nest" From Antz For All

A founding style "growable" nest from Antz For All.

Meet Ant Store's New Acrylic Nests, Antcube
Meet Ant Store's New Acrylic Nests, Antcube

Ant Store, Europes, and arguably the Worlds largest manufacturer, has released a new range of acrylic nests called Antcube

Queen Ants From The Store

Featured
Polyrhachis sp.
Polyrhachis sp.
from $100.00
Myrmecia nigrocincta
Myrmecia nigrocincta
from $400.00
Myrmecia nigriceps
Myrmecia nigriceps
from $400.00
Iridomyrmex purpureus
Iridomyrmex purpureus
from $80.00
Polyrhachis rufifemur
sold out
Polyrhachis rufifemur
from $100.00
Featured
Ants Australia Release New Video In Docu Series
Ants Australia Release New Video In Docu Series

Although we're a little late to the party, Ants Australia released their next video in their docu series titles, Wood Ants.

Inside An Orectognathus Colony
Inside An Orectognathus Colony

Last winter we were lucky enough to find a very small colony of Orectognathus sp. Here's a short video inside their colony.

Inside A Spider Ant Colony
Inside A Spider Ant Colony

Spider Ants have proven to be incredible hard to obtain. Recently we had the unique opportunity to acquire a colony and shoot this short video inside the nest.

Tar Heel Ants Highlights The Usefulness Of Fruit Flies In Ant Desk 3 Video
Tar Heel Ants Highlights The Usefulness Of Fruit Flies In Ant Desk 3 Video

In their latest Ant Desk video they show us how useful fruit flies can be  as a primary source of protein for your ants.

Our latest photos of ants in the wild
Technomyrmex sp.
Technomyrmex sp.
Camponotus sp.
Camponotus sp.
Monomorium sp.
Monomorium sp.

Ants drink the nectar from flowers and in the process inadvertently help pollinate them.

Near Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Camponotus cf suffusus
Camponotus cf suffusus

A darker version of Camponotus suffusus with a deep red coloured head.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia.

Taxonomers Link

Aphaenogaster longiceps
Aphaenogaster longiceps

These ants are known for building large funnel shaped nest entrances giving them their common name of Funnel Ants. Here a worker is excavating a nest after rain.

Near Hurstbridge, Victoria, Australia.

Aphaenogaster longiceps
Aphaenogaster longiceps

An Aphaenogaster longiceps ant.

Near Hurstbridge, Victoria, Australia.

Anonychomyrma sp.
Anonychomyrma sp.

These tiny Anonychomyrma ants have caught a Rhytidoponera ant and are attempting to drag it back to their nest.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia.

Taxonomers link.

Dolichoderus cf scrobiculatus
Dolichoderus cf scrobiculatus

This Dolichoderus scrobiculatus ant leaves the nest for a portrait.

Near Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia.

Full Resolution 6720 × 4480.

Unknown sp.
Unknown sp.

An unknown species of ant smiles for the camera.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia.

Taxonomers Link.

Rhytidoponera tasmaniensis
Rhytidoponera tasmaniensis

Rhytidoponera are quite common in Australia and this species is found all across the state of Victoria and Tasmania.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia.

Taxonomers Link.

Rhytidoponera tasmaniensis
Rhytidoponera tasmaniensis

A very common ant in Victoria.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia.

Camponotus consobrinus
Camponotus consobrinus

Camponotus consobrinus in their black colourway.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia.

Taxonomers link.

Pheidole sp.
Pheidole sp.

A major Pheidole worker amongst her smaller minor sisters. It is assumed she will darken over time.

Near Gisborne, Victoria, Australia 

Want to know where and when this photo was taken? Taxonomers Link

Dolichoderus scabridus
Dolichoderus scabridus

Near Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Taxonomers Link

Iridomyrmex sp.
Iridomyrmex sp.

A medium sized Iridomyrmex ant colony feeds on a tree.

Near Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Taxonomers Link

Myrmecia swalei
Myrmecia swalei

A beautiful species of jack jumper bull ant Myrmecia swalei. Currently only known to reside in Western Australia and some areas of South Australia.

Near Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.

Taxonomers Link

Myrmecia swalei
Myrmecia swalei

A small jack jumper leaves the nest to forage.

Near Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.

Papyrius cf nitidus
Papyrius cf nitidus

A nicely coloured Papyrius ant colony.

Near Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Taxonomers link.

Myrmecia regularis
Myrmecia regularis

Very similar to Myrmecia forficata, this bull ant has the brown stripes on the gaster to distinguish it as Myrmecia regularis.

Near Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.

Taxonomers Link

Iridomyrmex discors
Iridomyrmex discors

A medium sized Iridomyrmex ant colony with striking colours stops for a drink of water after a long period of drought.

Near Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.

Taxonomers Link

Podomyrma gratiosa
Podomyrma gratiosa

This species of ant is affectionately known as "muscle man" ants due to their large leg muscles. In this photo the ant is carrying an insect back to her nest.

Near Mansfield, Victoria, Australia.

 

Podomyrma gratiosa
Podomyrma gratiosa

A group of muscle man ants wrestle an insect.

Near Mansfield, Victoria, Australia.

Rhytidoponera sp.
Rhytidoponera sp.

Near Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Stigmacros sp.
Stigmacros sp.

This tiny Stigmacros ant at just 1.5mm carries a larvae to safety. These ants are endemic to Australia and are found nowhere else in the world.

Near Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia.

Taxonomers Link

Rhytidoponera violacea
Rhytidoponera violacea

A larger species of Rhytidoponera with some similarities to R.metallica.

Near Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Taxonomers Link

Ochetellus sp.
Ochetellus sp.

Tiny Ochetellus ants sometimes confused with Iridomyrmex, move their brood to safety are being disturbed.

Near Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Taxonomers Link

Myrmecia vindex
Myrmecia vindex

An aggressive bull ant worker defends her nest.

Near Perth, Western Australia, Australia.

Full Resolution 6720 × 3997

Polyrhachis rufifemur
Polyrhachis rufifemur

The amazing Polyrhachis rufifemur pausing for a photo.

Near Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia.

Full Resolution 6720 × 4480.

Rhytidoponera sp.
Rhytidoponera sp.

A striking red Rhytidoponera ant climbs a tree.

Near Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia.

Full Resolution 5902 × 4480.

Myrmecia nigrocinta
Myrmecia nigrocinta

Stopping for a drink of a sugary substance.

Near Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia.

Full Resolution 6720 × 4480.

Featured
Dragon's Egg Revisited
Brian Martell
Dragon's Egg Revisited
Brian Martell

Here's a little formicarium from Brian Martell for an Australian ant keeper with a tighter budget.

Brian Martell
The Ancient Temple Of Formica By Mark Newton
Darcy Lehmann
The Ancient Temple Of Formica By Mark Newton
Darcy Lehmann

Recently we showed off Mark Newton's Formicarium he designed with internal lighting. Once again mark has been busy creating another.  His newest creation is officially known as  "The Ancient Temple of Formica".

Darcy Lehmann
Formicarium Made From A Soda Bottle
Brendon Cameron
Formicarium Made From A Soda Bottle
Brendon Cameron

Proving again that keeping ants doesn't have to be expensive, we stumbled on this formicarium made from a soda bottle.

Brendon Cameron
Formicarium Designed With Internal Lighting
Darcy Lehmann
Formicarium Designed With Internal Lighting
Darcy Lehmann

An internally lit formicarium from Mark Newton.

Darcy Lehmann
Vesuvius The Sleeping Volcano
Brian Martell
Vesuvius The Sleeping Volcano
Brian Martell

I imagined a torrent of red Myrmecia flowing from the entrance of this nest like lava from an active volcano and decided “Vesuvius” was an appropriate name for my latest creation.

Brian Martell
A Formicarium Carved With Only A Screwdriver
Brendon Cameron
A Formicarium Carved With Only A Screwdriver
Brendon Cameron

Ant keeping has many benefits over other hobbies and one of them is affordability. Here's a formicarium that has been made with only a screwdriver.

Brendon Cameron
A Great Formicarium From Jakub Golonka
Brendon Cameron
A Great Formicarium From Jakub Golonka
Brendon Cameron

Here's a terrific example of a great formicarium from Jakub Golonka.

Brendon Cameron
UPDATE: Prototype Formicarium From Ants Australia
Brendon Cameron
UPDATE: Prototype Formicarium From Ants Australia
Brendon Cameron

The team from Ants Australia are famous for their incredible video series. Now it seems they're considering selling formicariums.

Brendon Cameron
New Nest Module From AntsRussia
Brendon Cameron
New Nest Module From AntsRussia
Brendon Cameron

AntsRussia has a modular series of formicarium that allows you to connect different modules together. Today they have released a new one.

Brendon Cameron
The Crustacean Business District
Brian Martell
The Crustacean Business District
Brian Martell

Another incredible CrazyLegs creation by Brian Martell.

Brian Martell
Wood Founding Formicarium from Ant USIKI
Brendon Cameron
Wood Founding Formicarium from Ant USIKI
Brendon Cameron

Russian manufacturer Ant USIKI have developed a nice little natural wood founding formicarium not too dissimilar from one of our earlier efforts.

Brendon Cameron
Check Out "The Geode"
Brian Martell
Check Out "The Geode"
Brian Martell

The name says it all with this piece. Resembling a rock on the outside but with insides changed to be the envy of ant queens all over the globe.

Brian Martell
Turkish Builder Karınca Çiftliğim Shows Off New Formicarium
Brendon Cameron
Turkish Builder Karınca Çiftliğim Shows Off New Formicarium
Brendon Cameron

We showed off some other work by the Karınca Çiftliğim builder a few months ago and we loved the attention to detail. Today they released some images of a 3D printed nest that's in the works.

Brendon Cameron
Unique Ants In A Box Formicarium
Brendon Cameron
Unique Ants In A Box Formicarium
Brendon Cameron

Here's an amazingly unique formicarium from Facebook user Deansie. 

Brendon Cameron
Dragons Egg & Outworld Tree
Brian Martell
Dragons Egg & Outworld Tree
Brian Martell

Here's my new creation, I call it the Dragons Egg & Outworld Tree

Brian Martell

OUR LATEST PHOTOS FROM INSTAGRAM

Thanks for the feature @australiangeographic. Love your work!
Ants are known to herd or farm other insects to eat their sugary secreations. . . . In this photo, tiny Technomyrmex ants protect these even smaller aphids from predators. . . .
Two tiny Monomorium ants drink nectar from a flower. . . . Like bees, ants are also responsible for inadvertently pollenating plants.
A large bullant that has caught a caterpillar returns to her nest. . . . Ants are unable to chew and generally only consume liquid sugars. This caterpillar, a great source of protein, will be fed to the larvae. . . .
CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE LINKS
www.Taxonomers.com
www.Taxonomers.com

Another one of our projects, Taxonomers is a database of ants for ant keepers by ant keepers. Featuring ant locations and identifications by people who keep ants. The more you use it, the better it'll be. Stop on by and upload a few of your own locations or identifications.

www.Formiculture.com
www.Formiculture.com

Our favourite forum, Formiculture.com is a fantastic forum. A nice bunch of users more than happy to help you out. Located in the US and obviously more focussed on that region. Check them out. You wont regret it.

www.AntMaps.org
www.AntMaps.org

Quickly and easily find where a certain ant is from, or alternatively find all the native ants that live in your region. Choose from a whole country down to a specific region, AntMaps lets you choose.

www.AntWeb.org
www.AntWeb.org

AntWeb is a treasure trove of ant identification. Found a queen ant? Then hunt through this website to find what type of ant you've got. Beware though, most photos in the archive are of workers only. You'll have to hunt a little harder to find queen ant photos.

www.AntWiki.org
www.AntWiki.org

What better place to find information about ants than Wikipedia, AntWiki to be exact. Everything from the exact region of where ants are found to ant behaviour and societies. If you need ant info then this is the place to find it.

LATEST EQUIPMENT FROM THE BLOG