Camponotus Xiangban 
Advanced species
 
Unknown for some time and still to many, Xiangban is not their real name. They have been awarded this alias as loosely translated it means "Sweet Aroma" in mandarin.
 
Living in and around undisturbed woodland, Xiangban will be readily available when they fly during the first summer rains. They will not be easy nests to locate though. Hidden within low terrain shrubs and vegetation they dig extremely deep, safe nests.
 
Xiangban have a very aggressive behaviour trait. Queens however are extremely skittish until 50 or more workers. During the founding stages, she never lets her eggs go, caring them in her mouth and only beginning to drop them when they hit larval stages of life. This indicates to us that she is ready to run to safety. Notoriously difficult to get going, we would naturally recommend a natural, soil based setup.
 
They are highly active and surface movement would not be hindered by it. However, they keeping in most nests if fine providing you get their temperatures and requirements just right.
 
As with all carpenter ants, they are also known by the name "Sugar Ants", this is very much true, with our Multilarius as with sweet aphid nectar they will fill their gaster as full as possible.
 
In the wild colonies can grow to to impressive sizes in the region of 2,000 to 5,000 workers. Xinagban are quite easily one of the prettiest ants we have seen
 
Queen
Age - Up to 12 years (estimated)
Monogyne - One queen per nest
Fully Claustral - No food until first workers
Size - 15mm
Colony - Up to 4,000
Temperature & Humidity
Nest 25 to 27 Degrees | Outworld 25 to 30 Degrees
Nest 50% to 70% | Outworld 50% to 80%
Diapause / Hibernation
None
Polymorphic (Yes)
Minor Worker - 6mm to 8mm
Major Worker - 9mm to 13mm
Bite
They will bite if threatened and can secrete acid
Diet
Sugars, Proteins (small insects like fruit flies and fly larvae)
Always ensure a constant fresh water supply is provided
Nest Type
Natural, Acrylic, Ytong, Earth, Glass
Development
Egg to Adult Worker - 35 to 48 days