Dolichoderus burmanicus

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Myanmar (Southeast Asia), found in tropical forest environments where they nest under the leaves of banana and ginger family plants ^[1].
• Colony Type: Polygynous (multiple queens per colony) and polydomous (multiple connected nest sites). Colonies build carton nest pavilions under leaves containing brood and tended coccids (scale insects) ^[1].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: ~8-10 mm, inferred from Dolichoderus genus patterns
  • Worker: ~3-5 mm, inferred from Dolichoderus genus patterns
  • Colony: Exact maximum colony size is unknown
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Development: Estimated 6-8 weeks at optimal temperatures ^[1] (Development time may vary with temperature and feeding)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep warm around 24-28°C with a gentle heat gradient ^[1]
  • Humidity: Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged ^[1]
  • Diapause: No, tropical species from Myanmar do not require hibernation ^[1]
  • Nesting: Provide naturalistic setups with horizontal space for carton pavilions under leaves, Y-tong or moist substrate nests work well ^[1]
• Behavior: You'll find Dolichoderus burmanicus to be generally calm and not aggressive. Workers are active foragers that tend coccids for honeydew. They are skilled escape artists due to their small size, so fine mesh barriers are essential ^[1].
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical due to small worker size, use fine mesh and tight-fitting lids., tropical humidity requirements can lead to mold if ventilation is poor., colonies may struggle if kept too cool, maintain warmth year-round., polygynous structure means multiple queens coexist but introducing unrelated queens is not recommended., they need coccids or alternative sugar sources, lack of honeydew sources can cause colony stress.

Nest Preferences and Housing

In the wild, Dolichoderus burmanicus builds carton nest pavilions under leaves of tropical plants like banana and ginger family plants ^[1]. The ants produce a papery material for these structures, which contain brood and coccids. This species is polydomous, meaning they maintain multiple connected nest sites ^[1]. For captive care, provide horizontal space with surfaces mimicking leaves for carton building. Y-tong nests or moist substrate nests with multiple chambers work well. Ensure enough space for multiple nest sites and maintain humidity with moist substrate ^[1].

Feeding and Diet

These ants tend coccids inside their nest pavilions for honeydew, a mutualistic relationship called trophobiosis ^[1]. In captivity, provide sugar sources like sugar water, honey, or diluted maple syrup. For protein, offer small insects like fruit flies or mealworms. Fresh fruit can be occasional treats. Remove uneaten food after 24-48 hours to prevent mold ^[1].

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Being a tropical species from Myanmar, Dolichoderus burmanicus requires warm conditions year-round. Keep temperatures around 24-28°C with a heat gradient for workers to regulate ^[1]. Unlike temperate species, they do not need hibernation. Maintain consistent warmth, temperatures below 22°C can slow development ^[1].

Colony Structure and Multi-Queen Care

Dolichoderus burmanicus is polygynous, with multiple queens coexisting cooperatively ^[1]. This supports larger colonies than single-queen species. They are also polydomous, maintaining multiple nest sites. When keeping, do not separate queens, they live together naturally. If starting from wild-caught queens, introduce unrelated ones carefully ^[1].

Escape Prevention

Workers are small, so escape prevention is essential. Use fine mesh (at least 0.5mm) on ventilation and tight-fitting lids. Apply fluon barriers to outworld areas ^[1]. Check connections regularly, especially early on.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References