Myrmoteras binghamii, also known as the Spiny Trap-Jaw Ant, is a rare and striking species of ant, known for its highly specialised jaws and unique appearance. This arboreal species uses lightning-fast mandibles to catch prey and is highly visual and reactive to movement. They are primarily insectivorous and thrive on a protein-heavy diet in captivity.
Good escape prevention is crucial — they can climb smooth surfaces and are surprisingly fast despite their odd body shape. Food should be removed within 24 hours of feeding to avoid attracting mites or mould, especially in high-humidity environments.
Keeping difficulty: Intermediate (experience exotic species recommended)
Colony form: Monogyne (Single Queen)
Queen size: 8-10mm, golden brown with elongated mandibles
Worker size: 4-6mm, pale golden to brown with long trap-jaws
Soldier size: None (no separate soldier caste; workers vary slightly in size)
Food: Small fruit flies, springtails, fruit-jelly, and honey water. Insects are essential.
Temp: 23–26°C
Humidity: 60–80% (they thrive in high humidity with good ventilation)
Founding: Semi-claustral (Queen needs occasional feeding)
Colony size: Small — typically under 300 workers, slow-growing
Hibernation: No true hibernation. They benefit from a low-activity rest phase (21–22°C) for 4–6 weeks between November and February
Live Arrival Guarantee:
We guarantee the live arrival of your Myrmoteras binghamii queen. All queens are sent in double-layered packaging including padded jiffy bags, insulated test tubes, and bubble wrap for maximum protection. We are one of the only suppliers in the UK to offer both a live arrival guarantee and an optional 14-day extended guarantee (for select species only — ask if applicable).
Live arrival guarantee applies to the Queen only upon first delivery. Contact us within 24 hours of receipt if your queen arrives dead, with a clear photo showing both the queen and any accompanying workers still in the original test tube.
IMPORTANT: Do not transfer the ants to a nest or other setup before contacting us. Any removal of the ants from the original test tube voids the warranty. If eligible, our 14-day guarantee requires the colony to be kept in the sealed, original test tube, in a quiet, dark place, and fed as per the care sheet.
Once moved outside the test tube, responsibility transfers to the keeper. Colonies of Myrmoteras binghamii are sensitive and may fail if conditions are not exact: issues include lack of microfauna, dehydration, overfeeding, or stress from vibration/light. If failure occurs, we can help diagnose the problem, but the responsibility lies with the buyer.
Ant keeping is a journey — sometimes success comes on the second try. Research, patience, and a stable environment are essential for keeping this rare and delicate species.