Crematogaster schmidti Care Guide: Keeping the Balkan Acrobat Ant
Updated: 1 day ago
Crematogaster schmidti is a Mediterranean tree ant from southeastern Europe and a close relative of Crematogaster scutellaris. Like all Crematogaster species, it is an acrobat ant: when workers feel threatened, they raise their heart-shaped gaster over their back. The workers are very active and always hungry, so there is always something to watch. Care is the same as for Crematogaster scutellaris, but colonies grow a bit more steadily instead of explosively. The one thing you really need to get right: escape prevention.
At a glance
Origin: the northern Mediterranean and Black Sea region, from Slovenia to Ukraine
Difficulty: intermediate
Colony structure: a young queen starts her colony on her own
Workers: small, all about the same size
Growth: steady
Colony size: large
Temperature: warm; room temperature works, heating recommended
Humidity: moderate
Winter rest: recommended
Most important point: escape prevention
Appearance
The workers are small, roughly 3 to 4.5 mm, with a yellowish red to dark reddish head and thorax and a dark brown to black, heart-shaped gaster. The colour varies a little from colony to colony. The queen is much larger, with a reddish brown head and a dark body. Thanks to its reddish thorax, Crematogaster schmidti often looks a bit lighter than Crematogaster scutellaris, whose red is mostly limited to the head.
Where does it live?
Crematogaster schmidti lives along the northern shores of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, from Slovenia through the Balkans, Greece and Türkiye to Ukraine. It is one of the most common ants in Greece and the Balkans. In the wild, colonies nest in dry wood: in branches, tree trunks, dead wood and at the base of shrubs and trees. During the warm months, the workers are active day and night, and they often tend aphids along trails leading back to the nest.
A species of its own
For a long time, Crematogaster schmidti was seen as a subspecies of Crematogaster scutellaris. It was only recognised as a separate species again in 1987. The two species live in different regions and meet in a narrow zone in the western Balkans, but no hybrids have ever been found there. Read more about its relative in our Crematogaster scutellaris facts.
Founding a colony
A young queen starts her colony on her own after the nuptial flight. She seals herself in and does not need food until the first workers arrive. Leave her undisturbed in a closed test tube during this time; our test tube guide shows how to set one up.
Growth
Growth is steady. Well-fed colonies grow well, especially with some extra warmth, but not as explosively as Crematogaster scutellaris. Colonies can become large. How fast it goes depends on warmth, food and the colony itself, so we do not give timelines.
Escape prevention: the most important point
Crematogaster schmidti is very good at escaping. The small workers squeeze through tiny gaps and quickly find any weak spot. Use a well-sealed setup, check every stopper, tube, lid and connection, and apply an anti-escape barrier such as Fluon to the outworld. Read more in our anti-escape guide.
Temperature and heating
They do fine at room temperature, but warmth helps the colony grow. Heating is recommended, for example with a Heat Mat with Temperature Controller on one side of the setup. Always leave a cooler area so the ants can choose, and keep in mind that the setting on a heat mat is not the temperature inside the nest. Watch where the workers put their brood: that tells you where they feel best.
Humidity
Keep the humidity moderate. Keep part of the nest slightly moist and leave the rest dry, and always provide a water source. Condensation or mould means it is too wet; workers crowding around the moist spot means it is time to add a little water.
Winter rest
A winter rest is recommended. Give the colony a cooler rest period from late autumn to early spring, for example in an unheated room. Feed less during this time, but always keep water available.
Feeding
Sugar: keep sugar available at all times, for example sugar water or Sugar Jelly. In the wild they collect a lot of honeydew from aphids.
Protein: give as much protein as they will take: fruit flies, crickets, mealworms or cockroaches. Freeze wild-caught insects first.
Portions: they have a big appetite. Feed often, adjust the amount to the size of your colony and remove leftovers before they mould.
Water: always provide clean water.
Housing
Founding queen: a closed test tube until the first workers have arrived.
Growing colony: connect the test tube to a small outworld so the workers can forage.
Larger colony: the Avalon Ant Nest connected to a Deluxe Medium Outworld works well for this species.
Escape proof: check stoppers, tubing and lids regularly, and use Fluon on every outworld.
Behaviour and defence
When disturbed, workers pour out of the nest, raise their gaster and bite quickly. Unlike Crematogaster scutellaris, they only rarely use the defensive liquid at the tip of the gaster; they mostly rely on their jaws. For people they are harmless. At most you might feel a small pinch.
Is Crematogaster schmidti right for you?
If you want an active, good-looking ant with a big appetite, and you like Crematogaster scutellaris but prefer a slightly calmer growth rate, Crematogaster schmidti is a great choice. Just make sure your setup is fully escape proof before the colony arrives. Have a look at our Crematogaster schmidti colonies. Keeping a North American acrobat ant? See our US guide to Crematogaster acrobat ants on Esthetic Ants USA.
Sources
AntWiki. Crematogaster schmidti.
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