Crematogaster scutellaris Care Guide: Keeping the Mediterranean Acrobat Ant

Crematogaster scutellaris is a Mediterranean tree ant with a bright red head and a shiny black body. It belongs to the acrobat ants: when workers feel threatened, they raise their heart-shaped gaster over their back. It is one of the fastest-growing species you can keep, and the workers are always busy, so there is always something to watch. The one big challenge: they are excellent escape artists. Curious about its life in the wild? Read our Crematogaster scutellaris facts.

At a glance

• Origin: the Mediterranean, in southern Europe and North Africa

• Difficulty: intermediate

• Colony structure: one queen

• Workers: small, red head and black body, all about the same size

• Growth: very fast

• Colony size: very large

• Temperature: warm; room temperature works, extra warmth speeds up growth

• Humidity: moderate

• Winter rest: recommended

• Most important point: escape prevention

Appearance

A Crematogaster scutellaris worker.

The workers are small, roughly 3.5 to 5 mm, with a shiny red head and a dark body. Their black gaster is heart-shaped and attached at the top instead of the bottom. That is what allows them to fold it up over their back. All workers are about the same size. The queen is much larger than the workers and is easy to recognise in the colony.

Where do they live?

Workers on dead wood, their natural home.

Crematogaster scutellaris is one of the most common ants around the Mediterranean, from North Africa to the Balkans. It is a tree ant: colonies nest in dead wood, under bark and in cork, and sometimes in old walls and rock crevices. In the cork oak forests of southern Spain, colonies dig galleries and chambers right through the thick bark. A colony often spreads over several nests and even several trees, with the queen in one main nest.

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. A colony has one queen, so keep one queen per setup.

Growth

Growth is insanely fast. Well-fed colonies grow quickly, and with extra warmth they really take off. Colonies can become very large. How fast it goes depends on warmth, food and the colony itself, so we do not give timelines. Just plan the next step in housing early, because this species outgrows its setup sooner than most.

Escape prevention: the most important point

Crematogaster scutellaris is amazing at escaping. The small workers squeeze through tiny gaps, climb almost anything 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 makes the colony grow much faster. If you want fast growth, heat one side of the setup, for example with a Heat Mat with Temperature Controller. 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. If the workers crowd around the moist spot, 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

Workers around food, some with their gaster raised.

• Sugar: keep sugar available at all times, for example sugar water or Sugar Jelly. Colonies use a lot. Read why in sugar water: the hidden superfood for ants.

• Protein: give as much protein as they will take: fruit flies, crickets, mealworms or cockroaches. Freeze wild-caught insects first.

• Portions: they have a very large 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 fast-growing species.

• Escape proof: check stoppers, tubing and lids regularly, and use Fluon on every outworld.

Behaviour and defence

When disturbed, workers raise their gaster over their back and point it at the threat. This is not just for show: they can smear a defensive liquid from the tip of the gaster on attackers, which works very well against other ants. For people they are harmless. At most you might feel a small bite.

Is Crematogaster scutellaris right for you?

If you want a beautiful, busy ant that grows fast and is always active, Crematogaster scutellaris is a great choice. Just make sure your setup is fully escape proof before the colony arrives. Have a look at our Crematogaster scutellaris colonies. Curious about another acrobat ant? Read our Crematogaster schmidti care guide. Keeping acrobat ants in the US? See our Acrobat Ant Care Guide on Esthetic Ants USA.

Sources

• AntWiki. Crematogaster scutellaris.

• Soria, F. J., Villagrán, M. and Ocete, M. E., 1994. Estudio del comportamiento alimentario de Crematogaster scutellaris en tres alcornocales del SW español. Boletín de Sanidad Vegetal, Plagas.