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🌿 Live Arboreal Ant Colony for Observation & Keeping: Tetraponera rufonigra, commonly known as the Red-black Slender Ant or Bicolored Arboreal Ant, is a striking tree-dwelling species known for nesting in natural cavities within dead and living wood. International shipping is available to supported destinations via Air Express. Colony size is based on the selected variant; worker counts refer to live workers unless otherwise stated.
Tetraponera rufonigra (Jerdon, 1851) is a distinctive member of the subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae. Typical workers have a dark head and gaster contrasting with a reddish-orange to orange-brown mesosoma, petiole, antennae, and mandibles, although coloration varies geographically and some populations are considerably darker.
The species is widely distributed from the Indian subcontinent through mainland Southeast Asia and southern China, extending south toward Sumatra and Java. In Chinese stock, colony structure can vary strongly by geographic origin, so origin information matters when discussing queen number and long-term management.
Regional Queen Structure in Chinese Stock: Based on established Chinese keeping and sourcing observations, Yunnan-origin T. rufonigra should be treated as strictly monogynous, while Guangdong- and Guangxi-origin colonies can be polygynous and may contain multiple reproductive queens. Do not apply one queen-number rule to all Chinese populations.
Arboreal Cavity Nester: T. rufonigra nests primarily in pre-existing cavities in dead or living wood. Published observations include colonies occupying beetle-bored branches, cavities in tree trunks, and hollow plant stems. In captivity, narrow and protected chamber systems are therefore more biologically relevant than large open nest spaces.
Foraging & Diet: Workers actively hunt small arthropods and also use carbohydrate-rich resources. The species has been documented tending sap-feeding insects such as aphids and scale insects, indicating that honeydew can form part of its natural energy intake.
Defensive Sting: Workers possess a well-developed sting and can defend the nest aggressively. Published venom research confirms that stings can cause pain and inflammation and, in susceptible individuals, serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Direct handling is therefore not recommended.
Nest Type: A narrow, secure nest that resembles a woody cavity is a practical choice. Wood, cork, bamboo-style chambers, compact test-tube systems, or appropriately designed modular nests can all work if they provide tight shelter, good ventilation, and reliable hydration.
Temperature: Approximately 24–28°C (75–82°F) is a practical starting range for tropical and subtropical Chinese stock. Avoid prolonged overheating, chilling, and abrupt temperature changes. If the exact geographic origin is known, adjust gradually according to the colony's activity and brood development.
Humidity: Maintain a humid nesting retreat with good ventilation while keeping the foraging area comparatively drier. A controlled moisture gradient is preferable to maintaining the entire setup at one fixed humidity percentage.
Foraging Area: Provide a secure outworld with branches, cork, or other climbing surfaces. Workers are active and can exploit small gaps, so inspect lids, tubing connections, ventilation openings, and escape barriers carefully.
Protein: Offer clean insect prey such as fruit flies, small crickets, roaches, flies, or mealworm pieces. Prey should be appropriately sized for the colony, and freshly killed insects are suitable if live feeding is unnecessary.
Carbohydrates: Provide sugar water, diluted honey water, or another clean carbohydrate source. The species' documented association with honeydew-producing insects supports regular access to carbohydrates as part of a balanced captive diet.
Feeding Schedule: For a small colony, offer carbohydrate regularly and insect protein several times per week as a starting point. Adjust according to worker number, brood load, temperature, and actual consumption. Remove spoiled or ignored food promptly.
Water: Fresh water should remain available in a safe form. Milk and other rapidly spoiling liquids are not recommended as routine food.
Queen Number Must Follow Origin: Do not merge queens simply because the species can be polygynous in some regions. For Yunnan-origin stock, maintain the colony as single-queen. For Guangdong- or Guangxi-origin stock, multiple queens may be natural and stable when they come from the same established colony or verified compatible source.
Do Not Mix Unrelated Colonies: Even in polygynous populations, “polygynous” does not mean that unrelated queens or workers can be combined safely at random. Preserve the original colony unit unless compatibility has already been established.
Colony Size: Larger established groups are generally more forgiving than very small starter groups, but there is no universal “50-worker minimum.” Queen condition, brood, hydration, food supply, temperature, and transport history all influence recovery and growth.
Acclimation: After delivery, allow the colony several days to stabilize with minimal disturbance. Provide water, a carbohydrate source, and appropriately sized insect protein. Avoid forcing a newly arrived colony into a much larger nest unless there is an immediate safety issue.
Tetraponera rufonigra is an arboreal stinging ant requiring secure containment and careful handling. Never intentionally release captive ants into the wild. Buyers are responsible for understanding any import, possession, permit, or environmental requirements that apply at their destination. Please review AntNook's current Live Arrival Guarantee, Refund Policy, and Legal Notice before ordering.
We strictly adhere to ethical and sustainable collection practices, ensuring minimal impact on local ecosystems while supporting conservation efforts.
Every nest and colony undergoes a rigorous multi-point inspection to ensure structural integrity and biological health before shipment.
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