Myrmicinae
Intermediate
Crematogaster scutellaris
Acrobat ant
Recognisable by its distinctive heart-shaped abdomen, which workers raise acrobatically over the thorax when alarmed. Nests in dead wood in warm Mediterranean climates.
Origin
Southern Europe, Mediterranean
Worker size
3–5 mm
Optimal temp
23–28°C
Humidity
50%
Care notes
Named for its heart-shaped gaster that it raises over its head when threatened — a striking display species.
Diet
Sugar water, honeydew, and insect protein.