Mediterranean Acrobat Ant
ExploreInsects
Mediterranean Acrobat Ant
Crematogaster scutellaris
The Mediterranean Acrobat Ant is a small, agile ant known for its unique acrobatic skills. It can flip and climb easily, making it fun to watch as it moves around its home!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Mediterranean Acrobat Ant is a small, reddish-brown ant with a distinct heart-shaped, blackish abdomen that it often raises over its head. Its head and thorax are typically a warm reddish hue, creating a striking contrast with its darker rear.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyFormicidaeGenusCrematogaster
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its unique abdomen helps it walk upside down with surprising ease!
Queens can live for over 10 years, constantly laying thousands of eggs!
Sometimes, they invade other ant nests to steal their developing larvae.
They communicate using special scent trails to lead others to food.
Special abilities
Ability
Acrobatic Defense
Mediterranean Acrobat Ant can raise its heart-shaped abdomen high over its head, ready to spray defensive chemicals, because of its flexible gaster joint.
Ability
Honeydew Harvester
Mediterranean Acrobat Ant can "farm" tiny aphids, protecting them in exchange for their sugary honeydew, which helps them get energy.
Ability
Carton Constructor
Mediterranean Acrobat Ant can build unique "carton nests" inside trees using chewed wood fibers and saliva that helps shelter their colony.
Measurements & details
- Size
- 3-5 mm
- Lifespan
- 60-365 days
- Leg Count
- 6
- Colony Size
- 1000-50000
Diet & Feeding
They are tiny omnivores who love sweet liquids and munch on small insects.
Primary Foods
- Honeydew
- Small insects
- Nectar
- Fruit juices
- Sugary secretions
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
symbiotic with
Black Bean Aphid
Aphis fabae
Protects aphids for their sugary honeydew.
eaten by
Garden Cross Spider
Araneus diadematus
Spiders prey on foraging ants for food.
eaten by
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Great Tit
Parus major
Birds often forage for ground-dwelling insects.
Traits
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Miniature
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Be careful not to disturb ant nests, as they can bite if they feel threatened.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Mediterranean Acrobat Ant?
3-5 mm
How long does Mediterranean Acrobat Ant live?
60-365 days
What does Mediterranean Acrobat Ant eat?
They are tiny omnivores who love sweet liquids and munch on small insects.
Where is Mediterranean Acrobat Ant usually found?
Forests
How does Mediterranean Acrobat Ant hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Mediterranean Acrobat Ant have?
6
How large are Mediterranean Acrobat Ant colonies?
1000-50000
Snap Map
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