{"product_id":"manica-hunteri-queen-eggs","title":"Manica hunteri (queen, eggs)","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eManica hunteri\u003c\/em\u003e is a fascinating ant in the genus \u003cem\u003eManica\u003c\/em\u003e, known for aggressive hunting behavior and striking reddish coloration. Unlike many ants that rely heavily on cooperative foraging, \u003cem\u003eM. hunteri\u003c\/em\u003e often hunts as a solitary predator, which makes it unique among Canadian ant species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppearance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorkers typically measure \u003cstrong\u003e6-8 mm\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe body is \u003cstrong\u003ereddish-brown\u003c\/strong\u003e to orange-red with darker legs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMandibles are sharp and built for seizing live prey.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQueens are noticeably larger and share the same reddish tone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistribution \u0026amp; Habitat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFound mainly in \u003cstrong\u003eCanada\u003c\/strong\u003e (especially Alberta and British Columbia) and parts of the \u003cstrong\u003enorthern United States\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrefers \u003cstrong\u003eopen meadows, grassy clearings, and forest edges\u003c\/strong\u003e with sandy or loamy soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColonies stay small compared with other ant genera, often \u003cstrong\u003eonly a few hundred workers\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehavior \u0026amp; Diet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eManica hunteri\u003c\/em\u003e is a \u003cstrong\u003epredatory ant\u003c\/strong\u003e, hunting small insects and other arthropods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorkers are \u003cstrong\u003efast, agile hunters\u003c\/strong\u003e, often taking prey larger than themselves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey also take nectar and honeydew, but rely on these less than many other species.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColonies are \u003cstrong\u003emonogynous\u003c\/strong\u003e (one queen per colony).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColony Structure\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmall to medium-sized colonies\u003c\/strong\u003e (hundreds, not thousands, of workers).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQueens start colonies through \u003cstrong\u003eindependent founding\u003c\/strong\u003e after nuptial flights.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColonies grow slowly compared with species like \u003cem\u003eLasius\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eFormica\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNuptial Flights\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTypically in \u003cstrong\u003elate summer (July–August)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMales and females take to the air on warm afternoons.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter mating, queens shed their wings and search for suitable soil to begin a nest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"AntFarmsCanada","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47961390547049,"sku":"manica-hunteri-1-1","price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0787\/3160\/8169\/files\/b14bd8b4-ChatGPT-Image-Jun-9-2026-06_59_08-AM.png?v=1787962082","url":"https:\/\/antfarmscanada.com\/products\/manica-hunteri-queen-eggs","provider":"Ant Farms Canada","version":"1.0","type":"link"}