Manica rubida European Fire Red Ant
Manica rubida, the European Fire Red Ant, is a stunning ant species commonly found in the mountains of Europe. Known for their bright red colouration and their ability to form large colonies, these bold ants are a popular choice for ant enthusiasts thanks to their striking appearance and fascinating behaviour.
Why keepers love Manica rubida
Big and bright: queens grow to 9.5 to 13mm and workers to 6 to 9mm, all in vivid red
Fearless and active: omnivorous hunters and aggressive defenders of their territory
Fascinating to watch: a single queen can grow a colony of several hundred to a few thousand workers
Easy temperatures: happiest at 21 to 24°C, close to a normal UK living room
No hibernation required: a winter rest is optional
Adults only
Manica rubida have a painful sting and give off a strong, unpleasant smell, so they are not suitable for children. We recommend them for adult keepers with some experience. New to ant keeping? Start with 👉 Lasius niger Black Garden Ants.
What you need
A nest with a built-in humidity system, such as the 👉 Ant Farm Kit A7 Plus
👉 PTFE Insect-A-Stop Fluon escape barrier for the outworld lid
👉 Protein Jelly and organic honey
Mineral, distilled or purified water only, never tap or rainwater
Read before your queen arrives
Our full guide covers settling in, nest humidity, heating, feeding and the optional winter rest, step by step: 👉 How to Look After Manica rubida | Red Mountain Ant Care Guide UK
Availability
New queens are arriving soon. Click Notify When Available, and you will be the first to know. We feed every queen before dispatch and cover them with our live arrival guarantee.
If you want to add a unique and captivating ant species to your collection, consider the Manica rubida.
