
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Camponotus obscuripes
A large carpenter ant with a red mesosoma and petiole. A forest species nesting in rotten wood and, alongside C. japonicus, one of the most popular ants in the hobby. New queens are traded in early summer.
The red-chested carpenter ant (Camponotus obscuripes) is a large carpenter ant distributed from Hokkaido to Kyushu, Tsushima and Yakushima, and abroad in the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin. Workers measure 7-12mm and queens 16-17mm; the head and gaster are black while the mesosoma and petiole are red. A forest species, it nests in rotten logs and dead parts of standing trees from lowlands to mountains above 2,000m. Alates fly in May-June in lowlands and as late as August in the mountains; queens that emerge in autumn do not fly until the following year. It is omnivorous, tending aphids for honeydew and taking insects, and mature colonies reach several hundred to about a thousand workers. Second only to C. japonicus in popularity, it is easy to manage in a plaster nest kept at moderate humidity. Keepers usually start from a new queen traded in early summer; queens are reported to live 10-20 years.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Red-chested Carpenter Ant lives Queens 10-20 years.
The Red-chested Carpenter Ant grows to Workers 7-12mm, queens 16-17mm.
The ideal temperature for the Red-chested Carpenter Ant is 23〜25℃.
Origin
Hokkaido to Kyushu, Tsushima, Yakushima; Kuril Islands, Sakhalin
Lifespan
Sources: AntRoom: How to keep ants (JP) / Wikipedia (ja): ムネアカオオアリ / Japanese Ant Image Database (ムネアカオオアリ)
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Accepted name: Camponotus obscuripes Mayr, 1879
Authority databases: GBIF
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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Queens 10-20 years
Size
Workers 7-12mm, queens 16-17mm
Temperature
23〜25℃
Humidity
60〜80%
Sugar water or insect jelly plus insects (omnivorous)
Keep at 23-25C and never above 30C. Keep the plaster nest at moderate humidity, neither soaked nor dry. Honshu stock overwinters indoors without heating.
Nuptial flights occur in May-June in lowlands. A dealated queen kept alone in a test tube rears her first workers without feeding. Autumn-emerged queens do not fly until the next year.
Monogynous; cannot be housed with other colonies or species. It is also a host of the parasitic Polyrhachis lamellidens queen, which will usurp the colony if introduced.
Queens are reported to live 10-20 years. About 20 ants fit in one test tube; expand the nest once workers exceed 100.
Dehydration and mold are the main causes of failure. Offer liquid food in a separate dish so it never touches the plaster, and remove leftovers the next day.
Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.
The ideal temperature for Red-chested Carpenter Ant is 23〜25℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.
The average lifespan of Red-chested Carpenter Ant is Queens 10-20 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.
Red-chested Carpenter Ant typically reaches Workers 7-12mm, queens 16-17mm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.
Red-chested Carpenter Ant feeds on: Sugar water or insect jelly plus insects (omnivorous). Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.
The price of Red-chested Carpenter Ant varies significantly depending on bloodline, size, captive-bred generation, and sex. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.
Last updated: September 15, 2026