Camponotus lasiselene

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Native to Yunnan Province, China, with confirmed records in Thailand, Nepal and Vietnam. Found in rainforest, mixed deciduous forest, and hill evergreen forest habitats. Nests in both ground locations and tree trunks at elevations from lowland to 1500m ^[4][5][6][7].
• Colony Type: Single-queen colonies (monogyne). This is a polymorphic species with minor and major workers.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, no specific measurements for queens have been documented
  • Worker: 4.4mm total length (minor workers) ^[1]
  • Colony: Colony size data unavailable for this species
  • Growth: Growth rate data unavailable
  • Development: Development time unconfirmed, inferred from typical Camponotus genus patterns (Specific development data for this species is not available in the research literature.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 22-26°C. This species comes from warm subtropical to tropical regions of Yunnan and Thailand, so provide moderate warmth.
  • Humidity: Moderate humidity around 50-70%. Provide a moist nest chamber but ensure ventilation prevents stagnation.
  • Diapause: Diapause requirements unconfirmed, likely required given the temperate Yunnan origin which experiences winter. If observed to be active year-round, skip hibernation.
  • Nesting: Y-tong (AAC), plaster, or naturalistic setups work well. Provide narrow chambers scaled to their small size. They accept both test tube setups and formicaria. Nest should have some moisture but not be waterlogged.
• Behavior: Generally calm and non-aggressive for a carpenter ant. Workers are moderately active foragers that search for honeydew and small insects. They are not particularly defensive and rarely sting. Escape risk is moderate, use standard Camponotus escape prevention (fluon on edges, tight-fitting lids).
• Common Issues: colonies may fail if kept too cold, maintain warmth above 20°C, overheating can be fatal, avoid direct heat sources and monitor temperatures, wild-caught colonies may have parasites, quarantine and observe new colonies, slow initial growth during founding phase is normal, don't overfeed or disturb queen, dry conditions can cause colony decline, monitor humidity and provide moisture

Housing and Nest Setup

Camponotus lasiselene adapts well to various captive setups. Test tubes work excellent for founding colonies, use a standard test tube setup with a water reservoir and cotton plug, providing a dark environment for the queen. Once the colony reaches 20-30 workers, you can transition to a formicarium. Y-tong (AAC) nests are particularly suitable as they allow you to observe the colony while providing appropriate chamber sizes. Plaster nests also work well, especially if you want to maintain consistent humidity. Whatever setup you choose, ensure the nest chambers are appropriately sized, these are small ants, so overly spacious chambers can stress the colony. Provide a foraging area connected to the nest where you can offer food. ^[1]

Feeding and Diet

Like most Camponotus species, C. lasiselene is omnivorous with a preference for sugar sources. Offer sugar water, honey, or diluted maple syrup as a constant energy source. For protein, provide small insects like fruit flies, small crickets, or mealworms. In the wild, these ants likely forage for honeydew from aphids and scale insects, so sugar sources mimic their natural diet well. Once workers emerge, they will readily accept sugar water and small prey items. Feed protein 2-3 times per week, adjusting based on colony size. Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent mold. ^[1]

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Maintain temperatures between 22-26°C for optimal colony development. This species originates from subtropical Yunnan and tropical Thailand, so they prefer warmth but not extreme heat. Room temperature within this range works well for established colonies. During the founding phase, avoid temperature fluctuations that could stress the queen. In winter, given the Yunnan origin which experiences cool winters, you may provide a hibernation period of 2-3 months at 10-15°C if the colony shows signs of slowing down. Reduce feeding during hibernation and keep the nest slightly cooler but not cold. ^[4][5]

Colony Development and Growth

C. lasiselene is a polymorphic Camponotus species, meaning colonies produce both minor and major workers. Major workers (soldiers) develop as the colony grows larger and are used for defense and processing tough food items. The founding queen seals herself in a chamber and does not leave to forage, she survives entirely on stored body fat until her first workers emerge. These first workers are typically smaller than normal workers but quickly begin foraging to support further colony growth. ^[2][3]

Behavior and Temperament

This is a relatively calm carpenter ant species. Workers are moderately active and will forage for sugar sources and small prey. They are not particularly aggressive and rarely sting. The species shows typical Camponotus foraging behavior, workers will establish trails to food sources and tend aphids for honeydew. They are not escape artists in the same league as tiny species like Pheidole, but standard escape prevention (fluon barriers, tight-fitting lids) should still be used. The dense pilosity (abundant body hairs) that distinguishes this species from related ants is visible on workers and gives them a distinctive fuzzy appearance. ^[2][3][7]

Frequently Asked Questions

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References