Oecophylla smaragdina Care Guide: Keeping Weaver Ants and Green Tree Ants
Oecophylla smaragdina, the weaver ant, builds its nests by pulling leaves together and stitching them with silk from its own larvae. Watching a chain of workers bend a leaf into shape is one of the most impressive sights in ant keeping. In the wild they rule the treetops, defending their territory with strong bites and formic acid. They need high temperatures and high humidity, and even then they are very hard to keep. This is an expert species. This guide covers both forms we sell: the bright orange Asian weaver ant and the Australian green tree ant with its green gaster. Want to know more about their remarkable life? Read our 10 facts about Oecophylla smaragdina.
At a glance
Origin: tropical South and Southeast Asia, and northern Australia
Difficulty: expert
Workers: two types, long-legged majors and small minors
Growth: very fast, in the right conditions
Colony size: very large
Temperature: tropical, heating required
Humidity: high, with some air movement
Winter rest: none
Diet: mainly insects, only a little sugar
Watch out for: escapes and painful bites
Asian or Australian?
Both are the same species and need the same care. The difference is mostly in the colour. Workers of the Asian form are bright orange, and their queens are larger and often greenish. Workers of the Australian form have a striking green gaster, and their queens are green. The populations are also genetically different. Have a look at our Asian colonies and our Australian colonies.
Appearance and size
There are two clear worker types. The long-legged majors, roughly 8 to 10 mm, forage, build and defend. The small minors, roughly 5 to 7 mm, mostly stay in the nest with the brood. The queen is much bigger, roughly 20 to 25 mm.
Where do they live?
The Asian form lives in tropical South and Southeast Asia, from India to Indonesia and the Philippines. The Australian form lives in northern Australia, in tropical forests and woodland. Both live in the trees and rarely nest on the ground. Large colonies spread over many leaf nests across several trees.
Founding a colony
A young queen starts her colony alone. Leave her undisturbed in a warm, closed test tube until the first workers have arrived. Our test tube guide shows how to set one up.
Growth
When conditions are right, a weaver ant colony can grow very fast and become very large, especially on a diet rich in insects. When it is too cool or too dry, the colony struggles. Getting warmth and humidity right at the same time is the key.
Temperature and heating
Weaver ants need tropical warmth all year round. Heating is required, for example with a Heat Mat with Temperature Controller. Always leave a slightly cooler area so the colony can choose. Keep in mind that the setting on the heat mat is not the temperature in the nest, so watch where the colony keeps its brood. There is no winter rest.
Humidity
Keep the setup humid, but make sure there is still some air movement so mould gets no chance. High temperature and high humidity together are exactly what makes this species so hard: they react badly when conditions are not right.
Feeding
Insects: their main food. Give plenty of insects such as fruit flies, crickets or cockroaches, matched to the size of the colony.
Sugar: they are not very interested in sugar water. Offer a little, but focus on insects.
Portions: feed regularly and remove leftovers before they mould in the humid setup.
Water: always provide clean water.
Housing
Founding queen: a warm, closed test tube until the first workers arrive.
Young colony: a small, warm and humid setup. Avoid too much space at the start.
Larger colony: a big outworld is recommended, such as the New Large Outworld (Beta Edition). Keep it warm and humid and give them leaves or plants, so they can weave their own nests. That is what makes this species so special. Our post on setting up an ant terrarium gives ideas for a planted setup.
Escape prevention
Weaver ants are excellent climbers. Use a well closed setup and an anti-escape barrier such as Fluon, and check openings and connections regularly. Our anti-escape guide explains how.
Handle with care
Workers bite hard and spray formic acid into the bite. Work calmly when you open the setup, use tweezers and do not open it more often than needed. Their fierce defence is exactly what makes them so impressive to watch.
Is Oecophylla smaragdina right for you?
Only if you have a lot of experience and accept that even with good care, success is never guaranteed. You need to keep them hot and humid at the same time, feed plenty of insects and keep a large, planted setup escape proof. If you can, you get leaf nests, living chains of workers and one of the most spectacular colonies in the hobby. Have a look at our Asian Oecophylla smaragdina colonies and our Australian Oecophylla smaragdina colonies.
Sources
Wikipedia. Oecophylla smaragdina.
Schlüns, E. A. et al., 2009. Breeding system, colony and population structure in the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina. Molecular Ecology.
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