Species: Iridomyrmex purpureus
 
Breeding difficulty: Easy
 
Castes: No
 
Size :
Queen: 14-15 millimeters
Workers: 6-7 millimeters
Type of foundation: Independent clastral
 
Harvest location: Australia
 
Number of gynes: Monogyne
 
Rearing temperatures: 26-28 degrees
 
Rearing humidity: 70-80%
 
Food: Insects and sweet liquids
 
Hibernation: Yes, 3 months at 10-15 degrees
 
Type of colony: Resinated plaster, cellular concrete, reconstituted stone, terrarium
 
Description: Iridomyrmex purpureus is more commonly called meat ants in Australia because it is a species that consumes the remains of meat on animal carcasses. This species is very aggressive, grows very quickly and has a beautiful purple color, hence its species name, purpureus.