Paltothyreus tarsatus (Giant African Stink Ant)

Paltothyreus tarsatus (Giant African Stink Ant)
 
The Giant African Stink Ant measures upto its name as workers and queens often reach sizes of 23-25mm! Not to mention, they really do stink when disturbed!
 
This odour which is often compared to sulphurus, rotten eggs is a result of specific secretions released by the glands found on the ants' scythe like mandibles. This adaptation has evolved so that nestmates can easily find each other in the event of tunnels collapsing deep underground. How efficient is that? 
 
Not only does it serve this purpose but it also acts as a defense mechanism to ward off predators and competitors alike. 
 
In their natural habitat, colonies are often found in forested areas, nesting underground in clay/sand rich soil. These nests are not very deep and are typically 5-15 cm below the surface. However, deeper chambers containing larger quantities of brood have been found as deep as 150cms deep!
 
As most primitive Ponerinae ants, workers tend to forage individually but unlike others, these have the ability to use chemical signals to recruit other nestmates when retrieving large prey items. More interestingly not only are they efficient hunters of live insects (especially termites) they are also skilled scavengers, ensuring that no opportunities are missed. This is especially handy for us Ant-Keepers as they do not tend to be too fussy when it comes to their dietary requirements. 
 
Young queens are semi-claustral and should be fed on a diet of small freshly killed insects and sugar water twice a week until first workers emerge. 
 
This species is found throughout most parts of Africa and therefore, colonies are adapted to a range of conditions. That being said, it has been observed that successful founding and rearing has been achieved at temperatures of 25-26C and 50-60% humidity levels. 
 
Colonies have been found to reach 1000-2000 workers but typically average 300-500 individuals in most cases. 
 
All in all, it is a truly remarkable, aggresive, stinging species of ant that will surely make an exciting addition to any existing collection. 
 
It is illegal and strictly frowned upon to release any non-native ants into the wild.