Lesser Red Carpenter Ant (Camponotus decipiens)

General: Camponotus decipiens (Mini Red Carpenter Ant) is a medium-sized black and red ant primarily from the southeast. They love sugars, grow at a moderate pace, and are very pretty and exciting! Queens are fully claustral.

Diet: These ants have a rather standard diet compared with most ants. Any liquid sugar (sugarwater, Sunburst, or honeywater) or protein (crickets, fruit flies, roaches, mealworms) would work for this species. They especially seem to like fruit flies.

Temperature: Camponotus decipiens requires heating. Make sure that there is a gradient with cooler and warmer area(s) within the nest. At its hottest point, the nest should be around 80-82 degrees fahrenheit. These ants will not grow without heat.

Diapause: These ants may diapause in the winter, but it is somewhat optional. If you keep them warm throughout the winter months, they may continue growing. If they seem to slow down, lower them to a little below room temperature. Continue to provide sugars during diapause.

Growth: Camponotus decipiens can grow rather quickly compared with other ants, especially in Camponotus. Brood development can take between 5-8 weeks, and colonies can reach the hundreds of workers within the first year if kept warm and fed well!

Queen size: 8-9mm

Worker size: 4-6.5mm

Major size: 5-6.5mm

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.