Florida Long-Legged Ants (A. floridana)

General: Aphaenogaster floridana is a large, bright yellow species of Aphaenogaster from the sandhill of the southeast. Mostly nocturnal. 

 

Diet: This species has a different diet from some other ants. Their preferred food sources are protein and solid carbohydrates. Although they can eat liquid sugars, they have small social stomachs or none at all, meaning they cannot transfer this food to their nestmates like other species. Therefore, you need to feed them solid foods that they can carry. Good examples of this are fruit flies, crickets, mealworms, almonds, and other nuts. It is recommended to have a mix of both carbohydrates and proteins, even if they may be able to live off of protein. 

 

Temperature: This species needs heat to develop. Offer a gradient, but reach at least 83-87 in the nest. 

 

Diapause: Aphaenogaster floridana does not usually require a full on diapause. However, if they appear to slow down in the winter, return the colony to room temperature or slightly cooler and feed them less food. Make sure they have enough food to live, though. 

 

Growth: Brood development can take 5-7 weeks, speeding up with heat and proper feeding. Colonies rarely exceed 500-1000 workers, but are entertaining even at small sizes. 

 

Queen size: 7-9mm

Worker size: 5-9mm

If ants arrive in bad condition, contact us for help. Live arrival is guaranteed.

Shipping happens from Monday-Wednesday. During the winter, shipping may cost more due to the need of a heat pack.