Camponotus augustei

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Endemic to Hispaniola, found in Haiti and the Dominican Republic at elevations of 700-1,190 meters in moist forests ^[2][3].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed. Based on typical Camponotus patterns, they likely form single-queen colonies, but this has not been directly studied.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, inferred from Camponotus genus patterns as ~10-14 mm
  • Worker: Major workers: 5-6 mm, Minor workers: 4.5-5.5 mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Up to hundreds of workers based on field observations ^[2]
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Development: Estimated 6-8 weeks at optimal temperature, based on genus patterns (Development time is inferred from related species, direct measurements for this species are unavailable)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 22-26°C. Based on their elevation range, they prefer moderate temperatures ^[2][3].
  • Humidity: Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, as they come from moist forest habitats ^[2][3].
  • Diapause: Unknown, as a Caribbean species, they may not require diapause, but slight cooling might be beneficial.
  • Nesting: Wood-nesting species. Use Y-tong, plaster, or naturalistic setups with rotting wood ^[2].
• Behavior: Relatively docile. When disturbed, they freeze to avoid detection ^[2]. Workers are moderately active foragers. Escape risk is moderate due to small minor workers (4.5 mm).
• Common Issues: limited availability, this species is rarely available in the antkeeping hobby due to its restricted endemic range, slow colony growth, like many Camponotus, founding colonies take time to establish, humidity management, being from moist forests, they can suffer in dry conditions, very limited care information, much of captive care is inferred from genus patterns rather than species-specific research, stress response, their freeze-response to disturbance may be mistaken for death or inactivity

Nest Preferences and Housing

Camponotus augustei is a wood-nesting species. In the wild, colonies have been found in rotting downed tree boles, within wood at the base of live trees, and in downed sticks ^[2]. For captive care, Y-tong (AAC) nests work well because they provide darkness and humidity control. Plaster nests or naturalistic setups with corso bark and rotting wood pieces also suit them. The key is providing moist, rot-resistant nest materials that hold humidity without becoming soggy. They prefer tight chambers scaled to their body size, these ants are on the smaller side for Camponotus, so avoid overly large chambers. A water tube should always be available for drinking access.

Feeding and Diet

Like other Camponotus species, they are omnivorous with a preference for sugar sources. In the wild, workers likely tend aphids and scale insects for honeydew, and forage for small insects. In captivity, offer sugar water or honey regularly, and provide protein sources like small crickets, mealworms, or other insects weekly. Prey items should be small enough to handle. Remove uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold. ^[1]

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Based on their elevation range of 700-1,190 meters in the Caribbean, these ants prefer moderate temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s Celsius. A room-temperature setup around 22-26°C is ideal. They come from a subtropical climate without harsh winters, so they likely do not require a true diapause. However, slight seasonal cooling during winter months may help maintain natural cycles. Avoid temperatures below 15°C or above 30°C for extended periods. ^[2][3]

Behavior and Temperament

When researchers exposed nest chambers in rotting wood, the ants remained completely still, a freeze response that appears designed to avoid detection ^[2]. This makes them a relatively calm species to work with, though it also means they may seem inactive when their nest is first opened. They are not particularly aggressive and lack a painful sting. Workers are moderately active foragers. Escape prevention should be standard, while not the smallest ants, minor workers at 4.5 mm can still slip through loose gaps.

Colony Establishment and Growth

Establishing a colony takes patience. Like other Camponotus, the queen is likely claustrally founding, she seals herself in a chamber and raises her first workers on stored body fat. The founding chamber should be kept dark and undisturbed. First workers typically emerge in 6-8 weeks under optimal conditions. Initial colony growth is slow as the queen lays only a small batch of eggs. Once nanitics mature, the colony enters a growth phase with worker numbers increasing more steadily. A mature colony may contain hundreds of workers, as observed in the wild ^[2].

Frequently Asked Questions

Report an Issue

The current care sheet is based fully on literature. See inconsistencies, or something that's incorrect? Please report here, it will be resolved after review from an admin. Contributing to the blogs tab also helps providing information, to make us be able to further improve the caresheets. Thank you for your support!

References