Tetraponera nigra is an unusual poneromorph species from Southeast Asia. These glossy black ants nest in dry wood, choosing passages originally made by insect larvae and then deepening them with short but powerful mandibles.
Black tetraponeras are active during the day and rely on their developed vision to hunt. However, this does not prevent them from picking up dead insects and searching trees for extrafloral nectaries – special organs that produce sweet syrup. The movements of tetraponeras are sharp and very reminiscent of wasps. Another argument in favor of this close relationship is the rather strong sting, which the ants actively use.
When keeping this species at home, it should be taken into account that ants do not like high humidity in the farm. If you are a supporter of natural-looking formicariums in a terrarium (biotopes), you can fix bamboo stem cuttings in the arena – Tetraponera nigra will happily populate them.
