Aphaenogaster picea (Black Winnow Ant)

Arguably the most popular flower in Ontario is the white trillium, and it's a shame that Aphaenogaster picea, the Pitch-Black Collared Ant isn't just as popular, since it's a species which maintains a close relationship with province flower. Aphaenogaster picea is an arboreal species that aids forests and woods in seed dispersal. Trilliums, and many other plants, like bloodroot and bleeding hearts, will grow seeds with 'elaiosomes'. which are fatty structures made to attract these ants. Once an Aphaenogaster picea worker stumbles upon it, it carries the seed down into the nest, where it begins growing into a new plant. These ants have a dark red/brown coloration, and are separated from other Aphaenogaster by yellow tips on their antennae.

They do best under 30-50% humidity and 24-27 degrees Celsius. They do best with a substrate as they have no social stomach and need something to soak up liquids. Workers are 4-6mm while queens are 7-8mm. Although relatively slow-growing, they do considerably better in groups and when fed lots of insect protein

These queens are captive bred, and we can guarantee their fertility

Wild pictures come from Max Hike :) Follow him on Instagram at @maxhikephotography

Substitute Species

This product contains several species, as follows.

- Aphaenogaster picea (Black Winnow Ant)

- Aphaenogaster occidentalis (Western Winnow Ant)

Care, behaviour, and appearance between the two species is very similar.

Typically, Aphaenogaster occidentalis (Western Winnow Ants) are slightly wider than Aphaenogaster picea (Black Collared Ants). While Aphaenogaster occidentalis ranges in Western North America, Black Collared Ants are native to most of Eastern North America.

If you are looking for a specific species, you can request it in the notes section, but they are otherwise nearly identical in care and range. Otherwise, you will receive a random one.

Shipping Conditions

Hey! This is a live product. If you are purchasing ants during the winter months, please remember to purchase the "Winter Shipping (Live Guarantee) (72 hour heat pack + 1 inch foam cushion)" in order to guarantee the order.

Live Guarantee Policy

If live insects arrive cold or flooded please handle with care. Many of these colonies typically pop back up within a few hours. All DOA claims must be made within 24 hours after receiving your insects. Any order with a unacceptable mortality rate, but with a viable colony (e.g. less workers than in the range advertised, less queens or workers than advertised) can be compensated with store credit equal to the loss of value in the shipment, including shipping and extra packaging. Any order with DOAs, but which do not fall out of the initially advertised/promised range of workers will NOT be compensated.

DOA claims which are a total loss will be re-shipped 1 more time FREE of charge with photographic evidence. Orders where shipping is more than 30% of the total value of the order will be refunded proportionally to the loss of value in the shipment, INCLUDING test tube inserts which are purchased with the colony.

We guarantee live arrival on Xpresspost and priority shipments, as well as pickup and local delivery. Only orders that are accepted on the first delivery attempt will be eligible for DOA credit, no exceptions.

Live guarantee is VOID if you choose expedited shipping. In the winter, it is VOID if no extra packing is purchased. Fertility guarantee claims or live guarantee claims made within the month after arrival must be made with a timestamped photo of BOTH the queen alive upon arrival AND a timestamped photo of the dead specimens.

Expedited shipping can be a budget friendly method but does not always have the best results. If your order is going to be in transit more than 3 business days please do not choose this method or choose at your own risk.

DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO HOLD BACK SHIPMENTS IF WE DECIDE ITS TOO COLD TO SHIP.

Please note that orders to outdoor community mail boxes, or other outdoor locations void our live guarantee. If your address consists of an outdoor mail box or location, please make arrangements to have the order delivered to a friends house, or to your place of employment.