How to feed Camponotus vicinus
Camponotus vicinus is a large carpenter ant from the western US, partly red-bodied. It eats prey and a lot of sugar, and its founding is claustral. It is a popular species among American keepers.
What does Camponotus vicinus eat?
- Sugar: diluted honey or sugar water, always available.
- Protein: crickets, roaches, flies, in moderate to good amounts.
- Tip: do not feed a lone queen during claustral founding.
How much to feed
Guidelines for a colony with a moderate amount of brood, at 22–28 °C (72–82 °F):
| WORKERS | PROTEIN | SUGAR / 3–4 DAYS |
|---|---|---|
| 10 (Nanitics) | 1 prey item every 5 days | 1 drop |
| 50 (Small) | 5 prey items every 4 days | 2 drops |
| 150 (Growing) | 16 prey items every 3 days | 7 drops |
| 400 (Established) | 40 prey items every 3 days | 18 drops |
1 prey item = one insect the size of a fruit fly (2–3 mm). A medium cricket (1 cm) is worth about 50 prey items. 1 drop ≈ 0.05 mL.
These are starting points. If food is left after 24 h, give less; if everything disappears fast and the brood grows, give more. The calculator also adjusts for brood and temperature.
Hibernation
Hibernation from November to March, at 5–10 °C.
Common mistakes
- Feeding a claustral founding queen: she lives on her reserves.
- Running short of sugar: it is the base of the diet.
- Leaving prey leftovers for more than 24 hours.
FAQ
What does Camponotus vicinus eat?
Sugar (diluted honey, sugar water) and prey: crickets, roaches, flies.
Should I feed the queen during founding?
No: founding is claustral, she lives on her reserves.
Does it need hibernation?
Yes: 5–10 °C, from November to March.
Amounts and timings are average guidelines, not rules. Always adjust to what you see in your own colony (leftovers, appetite, brood).