Pheidole rhea is the largest known species of Pheidole and one of the most desirable ants in the hobby. Their impressive size is matched by their unique trimorphic caste system, producing minor, major and enormous Super Major workers. These incredible Super Majors can rival the queen in size and are among the most spectacular workers of any ant species.
Native to the arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, P. rhea is a hardy, active species that thrives with warmth and a varied diet of seeds and insects. Colonies grow steadily and become increasingly impressive as the first Super Majors emerge.
With their striking appearance, fascinating division of labour and rewarding colony development, Pheidole rhea is a true flagship species and an exceptional addition to any ant collection.
Colony form: Queen
Difficulty keeping: Intermediate (Experience with at least one exotic is recommended)
Queen size/Gamergate: 18-22mm Shiny black
Worker Minor: 4-6mm
Majours : 7-15mm
Food: seeds, honey water and insects
Temp: 24-28°C
Humidity: 40-60%
Founding: clasutral without feeding
Colony size: 1-5000 workers
Hibernation: NO
Live arrival guarantee:
We guarantee the live arrival of your Queen they come well packed in our jiffy bags which have two-sided padding as well as an additional layer of bubble wrap around our test tubes. We are the only company in the United Kingdom to offer our live arrival guarantee of your queen as well as an additional 14-day guarantee if the colony if kept in the original test tube for all our European species. Why do we do this? We are confident with our colony’s health and our packaging process as well as our care guides, we also believe in our customers and making sure they have a good ant keeping experience.
Live arrival guarantee we ensure the live arrival of the queen only upon delivery contact us within 24 hours of receiving the Queen dead on arrival with a picture of the dead queen and the original workers. DO NOT TRANSFER THE DEAD QUEEN OR WORKERS TO A NEST AS THIS VOIDS YOUR WARRANTY. For our additional 14-day guarantee for European species the Queen and workers must be kept in the original test tube sealed with the cotton and care sheet instructions followed if you want to keep this additional guarantee do not transfer to a nest or your warranty is VOIDED (we recommend you keep the 14-day warranty).
We have no control over the environment outside the test tube and have no influence in the conditions the responsibility once placed outside the test tube within the 14-day period the responsibility is with the buyer. 9 times out of 10 colonies die in the nest due to lack of water access, food, temperature, oxygen or stress due to vibrations or exposure to excess light. If your colony does fail inside a nest contact us, we can advise what went wrong but it is up to you to buy another ant colony, you will succeed but sometimes it does not work the first time. Research is key to success with ant keeping and follow our guides.
