Artisan Ant Nests,
Inspired By Nature

Formica vinculans is a little-known midwestern species that can be found primarily in grassland habitats. Colonies are larger than that of the closely-related F. neogagates. While many Formica species have some variation in worker size, large workers of F. vinculans have wide heads and resemble a major caste. Start your Formica vinculans colony today!

Camponotus fragilis is a medium-large species of Camponotus that can be found in the southwestern US. Like other Camponotus spp., C. fragilis is polymorphic, with poorly defined major and minor castes. Workers are ~6.5-7.5 millimeters long (majors up to 13mm), while queens are around 13mm. Workers and queens are primarily a pale yellow, and queens/majors often have dark bands on their gasters. This species is easy to keep, and a great choice for both beginners and expert antkeepers.

Camponotus festinatus is a medium-large species of Camponotus that can be found in the southwestern US. Like other Camponotus spp., C. festinatus is polymorphic, with poorly defined major and minor castes. Workers and queens are brownish-yellow, and often have dark bands on their gasters. This species is easy to keep, and a great choice for both beginners and expert antkeepers.

Novomessor cockerelli is a large, aggressive, and fast-growing species found in the open deserts of the Southwestern United States. In the wild, They feed primarily on a mix of seeds, scavenged insects, and sugars. Additionally, N. cockerelli is easy to keep, and sure to keep any antkeeper fascinated by their activity and behaviors.

Myrmecocystus mimicus is a medium-sized honeypot ant found in the southwest United States. Colonies of this species reach approximately 5,000 workers, of which 20-25% are repletes. Repletes are a caste of swollen workers that act as food stores for the colony. If you’re looking to raise your first colony of honeypot ants, Myrmecocystus mimicus is a great choice!

Myrmecocystus mexicanus is a large, nocturnal honeypot ant that is native to the southwestern United States. Like other honeypot ants, this species has a replete caste of workers who store food for the colony. The replete caste of M. mexicanus is especially large, and rivals those of M. mendax! All in all, Myrmecocystus mexicanus is a colorful and active honeypot ant species that is a great choice for any antkeeper.

Pogonomyrmex barbatus is the largest harvester ant species in the US, with workers reaching up to 12.9 millimeters long. They’re an active, fast-growing species that is incredibly fun to keep. Get your colony of P. barbatus today!

Camponotus floridanus is a large, aggressive species found in the southeastern US. Queens and workers have black gasters and a beautiful red coloration on their mesosomas and heads. The quick growth rate of C. floridanus makes them an excellent first colony for new antkeepers.

Camponotus subbarbatus, commonly known as the bearded carpenter ant or bumblebee carpenter ant, is easily identifiable by the bright yellow stripes on its gaster. Subbarbatus is an easy to keep species with fairly unique behavior for Camponotus in the eastern US. Unlike the the dominant approach used by many Camponotus, C. subbarbatus takes a more cryptic approach to foraging, preferring to keep to the undergrowth or search for food arboreally. 

Camponotus chromaiodes is an easy to keep species found across the eastern United States. Known for  its large size and the bright red coloration on its thorax and gaster, this species is a great choice for an antkeeper of any experience level. Make sure to get yours now!

Lasius americanus is a small, fast-growing ant species found across the entire US. Workers range in size from 2.5 to 4mm, and queens are 7-8 millimeters long. Colonies grow large, reaching into the thousands. Lasius americanus is also a common host species, used by hobbyists to raise a variety of parasitic Lasius species. Overall, they’re easy to care for, fun to watch, and useful to have around — great for any antkeeper, both beginners and experts.