Oecophylla smaragdina
Temperature
24–30 °C
Humidity
70–90%
Colony size
100,000–500,000
Queen size
20–25 mm
Worker size
5–10 mm
Diet
Care Guide
Oecophylla smaragdina, the Asian weaver ant, is one of the most spectacular ant species in the world. These ants are instantly recognizable for their vibrant green colouration and their remarkable ability to weave leaves together into living nests. The queen is a truly impressive specimen, measuring between 20 and 25 mm in length. Workers come in two distinct sizes: minor workers, which are around 5–7 mm, and major workers, reaching up to 10 mm. The majors serve as soldiers and nest builders, using their powerful mandibles to pull leaf edges together while larvae produce silk to bind them—a behaviour unique among ants.
Founding a colony is claustral, meaning the queen seals herself inside a chamber and raises the first brood entirely on her stored energy reserves. Once the first workers emerge, the colony rapidly expands and, under optimal conditions, can grow to a staggering 100,000–500,000 workers. Weaver ants are strictly tropical and require warm, humid conditions year-round; they do not hibernate. Their diet consists primarily of insects for protein, complemented by sugar water and honeydew. In the wild, they tend herds of scale insects, but in captivity you can offer a mix of feeder insects and a reliable sugar source.
Care difficulty
Keeping Oecophylla smaragdina is not for the faint of heart. They are classified as expert-level for good reason: these ants are highly sensitive to disturbances, require very specific environmental conditions, and demand a setup that accommodates their arboreal lifestyle. Their weaving behaviour also means they need fresh leaves to construct nests, which adds an extra layer of maintenance. Only experienced keepers with a solid track record of managing challenging species should attempt to keep them.
Housing
A standard horizontal formicarium will not work for weaver ants. They need vertical space—tall enclosures or branched setups where they can attach leaves and build their silk nests. Provide a framework of twigs or artificial greenery, and regularly supply fresh, non-toxic leaves (such as ivy or fruit tree leaves) that the colony can pull and weave. The outworld should be spacious and well-ventilated, with high humidity maintained at 70–90%. A water source is critical, either via a drinking tube or a misting system. Temperature must be kept stable between 24 and 30°C. Be aware that these ants are fast, excellent climbers, and can easily escape if the enclosure is not sealed with fluon or oil barriers.
First days after purchase
Your new colony will be fragile. Place the transport tube into the prepared enclosure in a quiet, dimly lit location. Do not force the ants to move—let them explore on their own. Offer a drop of sugar water and a small insect. Minimize all vibrations and light exposure for at least the first week. Watch for signs of nest-building: if the workers begin pulling leaves together, they are settling in. Patience is key; a stressed weaver ant colony can quickly decline. Give them time to adapt, and you will be rewarded with one of the most intelligent and visually stunning ant species a keeper can hope to observe.