Buckeye Myrmecology has been granted permits by the USDA which allow us to ship these ants to many states in the Continental US. All shipments of Camponotus ocreatus will include the relevant permit for your state and information on safe handling and disposal of these ants. States that we are allowed to ship Camponotus ocreatus to are listed below.
STATES AVAILABLE FOR SALE: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah.
Species Difficulty: Easy, an active and fun species.
Max Colony Size, Growth Speed, and Structure: Camponotus ocreatus colonies grow large, but there has been little work done to identify their maximum size or growth speed. However, their growth speed is expected to be quick, similar to other western Camponotus spp.. While colonies are typically monogynous, there is evidence to indicate that they can occasionally have multiple queens.1
Worker/Queen Information: Workers are large, approximately 6.5-9 millimeters long, and majors can reach up to 14mm. Queens of Camponotus ocreatus measure in at ~14-17mm in length. Both workers and queens have lots of coloration, with orangey mesosomas and gasters, and darker heads. C. ocreatus is polymorphic, and has a major caste.
Hibernation/Diapause: This species does not need to hibernate, and doing so is not recommended.
Feeding Requirements: They will eat a wide range of feeder insects, including superworms, mealworms, dubia roaches, and fruit flies. They require constant sugars, in the form of sugar water or honey.
Heating and Humidity: This species requires a heating cable or mat, and must be kept over 80f. Prefers 80-85f. Medium humidity.
Nesting Habits and Escape Prevention: In the wild, C. ocreatus is found in mountain forests of the southwestern US, nesting under rocks and other groundcover.2 In captivity, they can thrive in many different nest environments, including acrylic, 3D printed, grout, and ultracal nests. Talcum powder, olive oil, and Fluon can be used to prevent escape.
Development Time: Approximately 4-6 weeks egg to worker with proper heating.
Other notes: This species is a host for the larvae of carabid ground beetles. The larvae live in their nests, eating their brood and convincing workers to feed them.3
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