Massive Big-Headed Ants (Pheidole rhea)

General: Pheidole rhea is a fast growing, huge, trimorphic, chunky species of Pheidole from the southwest US and northern Mexico. This species is extraordinary. Compared to other Pheidole, they are giants.

Diet: Pheidole rhea are seed harvesters, but they also eat liquid sugars and protein. They like Kentucky Bluegrass, Chia, and Dandelion seeds. They love proteins such as crickets, mealworms, and fruit flies. Liquid sugars are completely optional. It’s best to maintain a large amount of seeds in the nest and feed protein if you want them to grow quickly!

Temperature: These ants require heating. Their nest should ideally be between 85-88, but provide a heating gradient if possible with cooler areas. Pheidole rhea will not grow at room temperature.

Diapause: Pheidole rhea does not need diapause. These ants can continue to grow and thrive year-round. It’s recommended to not let these ants get anywhere close to freezing temperatures!

Third Caste: Pheidole rhea has supermajors. Supermajors are a third caste, larger than majors with a different purpose. In the wild, they are used to crack large seeds and defend the nest from raids of Neivamyrmex (army ants). They’re absolute menaces.

Growth: Brood development takes 3-6 weeks depending on heating and caste. The majors tend to take longer to develop. Colonies can reach over 5,000 workers within the first year if fed lots and heated correctly.

This ant should never be released into the wild, regardless of where you live!

Queen size: 16-18mm

Worker size: 3-4.5mm

Major size: 5-10mm

Supermajor size: 11-13mm

If ants arrive in bad condition, contact us for help. Live arrival is guaranteed.