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 Formica incerta 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 Formica incerta to are listed below.
STATES AVAILABLE FOR SALE: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Formica incerta for sale, Formica incerta for sale
Species Difficulty: Beginner, but Formica can be sensitive to vibrations and will occasionally eat brood if disturbed too much.
Max Colony Size, Growth Speed, and Structure: Formica incerta is a sister species to F. dolosa, and both are closely related to F. pallidefulva.1 Possibly due to this, incerta is very similar to pallidefulva in colony size, speed, and structure. F. incerta forms medium-sized colonies, typically less than 2000 workers at maturity.2 Colonies grow quickly as a result of their very fast developmental time for their size. Typically, colonies can reach 20-40 workers before their first diapause, and then grow well into the hundreds after coming out the next year. F. incerta colonies commonly have more than one queen.
Worker/Queen Information: Formica incerta is variable in color, with lighter, orange forms in the southern US that become black and red or dark brown in more northern populations. Workers range in size from approximately 4.5 to 6.8 millimeters.2 Queens are smaller than those of F. pallidefulva, at ~10mm in length. This species is monomorphic, with only one non-reproductive caste.
Hibernation/Diapause: THIS SPECIES REQUIRES A HIBERNATION/DIAPAUSE PERIOD OF AT LEAST 3-4 MONTHS. To diapause Formica incerta, place them into a fridge or other cool area that stays above freezing, and leave them there for 3-5 months. They need a constant supply of water during this time, so check every few weeks to make sure that they have not run out of water. Typically, Formica do not overwinter with brood. For more information about diapause, refer to our guide.
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: In captivity, they prefer medium humidity nests, with eggs and larvae requiring a higher humidity level than pupae. Workers do best in cooler conditions, while brood will prefer a heated environment, so the use of a heating gradient across the nest is recommended.
Nesting Habits and Escape Prevention: In the wild, Formica incerta is often associated with grasslands, prairies, and other clearings. Typically, colonies nest in bare soil or form a small mound in grass clumps.3 In captivity, they do well in a variety of nests, including acrylic, grout, 3D printed, and wood. Fluon, talc/baby powder, and olive oil can be used as effective barriers.
Development Time: Brood takes approximately 33 days to go from egg to worker, depending on heating, food, and other factors. Each stage is ~11 days.
Other Notes: This species is often used as a host for various parasitic/slave making Formica species, including Formica rubicunda.2
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