Scientific illustration of Pheidole machetula ant - showing key identification features including head, thorax, and gaster.

Pheidole machetula

Non-Parasitic Queen Nein Gamergate
Wiss. Name
Pheidole machetula
Tribus
Attini
Unterfamilie
Myrmicinae
Autor
Wilson, 2003
Verbreitung
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Einleitung

Pheidole machetula is a tiny ant species in the diligens group, known only from Peru . Major workers are medium brown with lighter legs, while minor workers are nearly black, sometimes with yellow mandibles, trochanters, and tarsi . The species name means 'little warrior' in Latin, referring to the soldier-like appearance of majors with triangular propodeal spines . This species is extremely rare, with only the type colony documented from a gap in mature rainforest, nesting in bare clay soil .

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Status nach Land, von Kass et al. 2022 & Wong et al. 2023

Heimisch Invasiv Eingeschleppt (innen) Abgefangen Unbekannt
Datenquellen
Jahresbereich 2000 - 2026

Quick Summary

  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Origin & Habitat: Peru (Cuzco Amazónico,15km northeast of Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios), found in gaps in mature rainforest nesting in bare clay soil [2][1]
  • Colony Type: Unconfirmed, only the type colony has ever been documented [2]
  • Size & Growth:
    • Queen: Size data unavailable, no queen measurements published
    • Worker: Size data unavailable, full body length measurements are not published
    • Colony: Up to 500 workers (estimated based on typical Pheidole colony sizes)
    • Growth: Unknown
    • Development: Unknown, no direct observations, but based on typical Pheidole patterns, expect 4-8 weeks at tropical temperatures (Development is likely temperature-dependent)
  • Antkeeping:
    • Temperature: Based on habitat, keep warm around 24-28°C [2]
    • Humidity: Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, as they nest in clay soil [2]
    • Diapause: No, as a tropical species, likely no diapause required
    • Nesting: Natural nesting in bare clay soil, in captivity, use moist soil or Y-tong/plaster nests with small chambers [2]
  • Behavior: Behavior is unstudied in captivity. Based on genus patterns, likely non-aggressive toward humans, but escape risk is high due to tiny size
  • Common Issues: escape prevention is critical due to tiny worker size, they can squeeze through standard mesh, no captive husbandry data exists, keepers are pioneering care for this species, humidity control is challenging, too wet causes drowning, too dry causes brood death, wild-caught colonies may carry unknown parasites affecting survival, slow growth may lead to keeper impatience and overfeeding

Discovery and Rarity

Pheidole machetula was described in 2003 from a single collection in the Peruvian Amazon [2]. The type colony was found in Cuzco Amazónico,15km northeast of Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, Peru [1]. This species is endemic to this location and has never been found again, making it one of the rarest ants in the world [2][1].

Natural Nesting Habitat

The type colony nested in bare clay soil within a gap in mature rainforest [2]. This suggests a preference for humid, shaded environments with some light penetration. In captivity, replicate these conditions with moist soil or appropriate nests [2].

Identification and Morphology

Pheidole machetula is a small member of the diligens group. Major workers have a subrectangular head and triangular propodeal spines, minor workers are very dark [2]. Identification is based on these features without specific measurements.

Care Recommendations

Since no captive data exists, care is inferred from natural habitat. Keep temperatures warm (24-28°C) and humidity high with moist substrate [2]. Use test tube setups for founding and scale nests to tiny worker size. Feed sugar water and small protein sources. Escape prevention is critical due to small size.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I identify Pheidole machetula ants?

Major workers are medium brown with lighter legs, and minor workers are nearly black. They have triangular propodeal spines and are among the smallest Pheidole species [2].

Where does Pheidole machetula live in the wild?

Only known from a single location in Peru, nesting in bare clay soil in rainforest gaps [2][1].

Can I keep Pheidole machetula in a test tube?

Yes, a test tube setup is ideal for founding colonies due to their tiny size.

How long does it take for Pheidole machetula to produce first workers?

Unknown, but based on typical Pheidole patterns, expect 4-8 weeks at tropical temperatures.

What do Pheidole machetula ants eat?

No specific data, but typical Pheidole diet includes sugar water and small insects like fruit flies.

Are Pheidole machetula good for beginners?

No, due to lack of captive data, only experienced keepers should attempt this species.

Do Pheidole machetula need hibernation?

Likely no, as a tropical species from constant environments.

How big do Pheidole machetula colonies get?

Up to 500 workers estimated, based on typical Pheidole sizes.

Why is Pheidole machetula so rare in the antkeeping hobby?

It has only been collected once from a single location in Peru [2][1].

What temperature should I keep Pheidole machetula at?

Keep them at 24-28°C, based on their rainforest habitat [2].

How do I prevent Pheidole machetula from escaping?

Use fine mesh or fluon barriers due to their tiny size.

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References

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Dieses Caresheet ist lizenziert unter CC BY-SA 4.0 .