AntKeeper

What founding methods does AntKeeper support?

AntKeeper supports three founding methods: Claustral — the queen seals herself in a chamber and raises the first brood without foraging; Semi-Claustral — the queen leaves the nest to forage while raising brood; and Dependent — the queen relies on host workers or parasitizes another colony. Each method is tracked with appropriate icons and filters.

What types of journal entries can I record?

AntKeeper supports 6 log types: Feeding — record food given to the colony; Moving — track nest or formicarium changes; Count — log worker and brood counts; Observation — general behavioral notes; Health — note any health concerns or issues; and Migration — track colony relocation events.

Can I manage multiple colonies in the app?

Yes! AntKeeper supports tracking an unlimited number of colonies. Each colony has its own record with queen name, species, founding method, worker count, queen status (Alive, Dead, Egg Laying, Resting, Unknown), current nest, and notes. You can filter colonies by founding method or queen status.

Where is my data stored? Is it safe?

All your data is stored locally on your device using Apple's SwiftData framework. No data is sent to any server, cloud, or third party. Your colony records, journal entries, and species references never leave your device. The app does not request any system permissions.

Do I need an account or internet connection?

No. AntKeeper works completely offline. No account registration is required, and no internet connection is needed. You can use the app anywhere, anytime.

What is the Species Reference library?

The Species Reference library lets you build a personal database of ant species. For each species, you can record: species name, native region, founding type, preferred temperature range, humidity needs, diet type, aggression level (1-5 scale), maximum colony size, and personal notes. This serves as a quick reference for colony care.

How do I delete my data?

You can delete individual colony records, journal entries, or species references from within the app. Each detail view has a delete button with a confirmation dialog. To remove all data, delete the app from your device.

What does the Summary Dashboard show?

The Species tab includes a Summary section showing: Total Colonies (number of colonies you're tracking), Total Workers (sum of all worker counts), Max Colony (largest single colony by worker count), and Species (number of species in your reference library).