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 Aphaenogaster treatae 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 Aphaenogaster treatae to are listed below.
STATES AVAILABLE FOR SALE: Arkansas, Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Aphaenogaster treatae, Aphaenogaster treatae
Species Difficulty: Easy, a great species for antkeepers of any experience level.
Max Colony Size, Growth Speed, and Structure: Colonies of Aphaenogaster treatae grow relatively quickly, capable of reaching 15-25 workers before the end of the year in good conditions. Afterwards, growth is exponential, and they can reach hundreds in the next year. Mature treatae colonies average 600-700 workers, and can reach upwards of 1500.1 Unlike some Aphaenogaster species, colonies are monogynous, with one queen.
Worker/Queen Sizes and Polymorphism: A. treatae is somewhat variable in color, with workers and queens ranging from an orange-brown to red-black coloration. treatae is the largest Aphaenogaster in the Eastern US, with workers 5.2-7.6 millimeters in length and queens ~9-10mm long.2 While this species is not polymorphic, there is variation in worker sizes.
Hibernation: This species can hibernate, but hibernation is optional and not recommended. To diapause Aphaenogaster treatae, place the colony into a fridge/wine cooler, or another cold place that does not drop below freezing. It is important to provide them with a constant water source during diapause, and check on them every few weeks to ensure that they still have water. As they wake up from diapause, colonies will be lethargic, but will not appear to be dead. For more information about diapause, refer to our guide.
Feeding Requirements: Aphaenogaster treatae is granivorous, and their colonies will accept seeds/nuts as a sugar and protein source. However, these should only be offered alongside other food sources. Colonies require a constant source of sugars, typically either sugar water or honey. They accept common feeder insects for protein, such as superworms, mealworms, dubia roaches, and fruit flies. Proteins should be fed as often as the ants will accept them, or at least once a week.
Heating and Humidity: Heating can speed up brood development. Brood will prefer high humidity, while workers will prefer medium.
Nesting Habits and Escape Prevention: In the wild, Aphaenogaster treatae are ground nesting and inconspicuous, often found in fields and open woodlands in the northern portion of their distribution.1 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 time depending on heat and feeding.
Other notes: Similar to the uncommonly collected Pheidole pilifera, Aphaenogaster treatae fly under very specific conditions. According to Mary Talbot, colonies fly between 78-88 Fahrenheit, with calm air and requiring the sun to be partially or fully obscured by clouds, but no rain.1
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