Aphaenogaster sicardi

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Endemic to the Middle Atlas mountains of Morocco, specifically found in the cedar forests (cédraie) of Jebel Bou Iblane at 1975-2100m elevation ^[1][2]. This is a Palearctic species at approximately 32°N latitude ^[3].
• Colony Type: Unknown, no specific studies on colony structure exist for this species.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, inferred from Aphaenogaster genus patterns to be approximately 7-9mm.
  • Worker: Size data unavailable, inferred from Aphaenogaster genus patterns to be approximately 4-6mm.
  • Colony: Unknown, no specific data available for this species.
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unknown for this species. (High-altitude origin suggests development may be slower at cooler temperatures.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 20-25°C during the active season. Provide a winter rest period at 5-10°C for 3-4 months due to their high-altitude origin ^[1][3].
  • Humidity: Moderate. Keep the nest substrate moist but not waterlogged, similar to the damp cedar forest floor they inhabit.
  • Diapause: Yes, required. Being from high-altitude cedar forests at 1975-2100m, they naturally experience cold winters and require a 3-4 month diapause period ^[1][3].
  • Nesting: In nature they likely nest under stones or in soil within cedar forests. In captivity, Y-tong (AAC), plaster, or naturalistic soil setups work well.
• Behavior: Behavior is unstudied for this species. Based on typical Aphaenogaster patterns, they are generally calm and not aggressive. They are moderate climbers compared to some ants.
• Common Issues: high-altitude origin means they require a winter diapause period, failure to provide this may cause colony decline or death., slow growth is likely due to high-altitude origin, colonies develop gradually., wild-caught colonies may carry mites or parasites that become problematic in captivity., substrate moisture must be monitored, too dry causes desiccation, too wet promotes mold.

Natural History and Distribution

Aphaenogaster sicardi is found only in Morocco's Middle Atlas mountains, specifically in the cedar forests of Jebel Bou Iblane ^[1]. The type specimens were collected at elevations between 1975m and 2100m, making this a true mountain species ^[2]. At 32°N latitude and high elevation, these ants live in an extratropical climate with distinct seasons including cold winters ^[3]. The cedar forest (cédraie) habitat provides damp, shaded conditions with plenty of leaf litter and rotting wood for nesting. This specific high-altitude origin directly affects their temperature and seasonal care needs in captivity.

Nest Preferences and Setup

In the wild, Aphaenogaster sicardi likely nests under flat stones or in decaying wood within the cedar forest floor. For captive colonies, Y-tong (autoclaved aerated concrete) nests work well because they hold moisture while providing the darkness and tight spaces these ants prefer. Plaster nests are another solid choice, allowing you to maintain consistent humidity. Naturalistic setups with a soil mix and flat stones can also work, replicating their cedar forest home. Whatever you choose, ensure the chambers are not too large, Aphaenogaster prefer cozy spaces. Provide a humidity gradient with one side slightly damper than the other, letting the ants choose their preferred spot.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

During the active season (roughly spring through autumn), keep your colony at 20-25°C. You can achieve this with a heating cable or mat placed on one side of the nest to create a gentle gradient. However, the most critical aspect of caring for this species is the winter rest period. Because they come from 2000m elevation in the Middle Atlas, they naturally experience cold winters with temperatures dropping well below 10°C. Cool your colony to 5-10°C for 3-4 months during winter. This diapause allows the colony to rest and is essential for their long-term health and proper brood development cycles. Do not let them freeze, but do provide this cool period. ^[1][3]

Feeding and Diet

Aphaenogaster are generalist foragers. In their cedar forest home, they likely collect seeds, scavenge dead insects, and tend aphids for honeydew. In captivity, offer a varied diet. Provide small seeds (millet, chia, or canary seed work well) as they enjoy seed harvesting. For protein, feed small dead insects like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or pieces of mealworm. They also appreciate sugar sources, offer honey water or sugar water in a test tube setup or small dish. Feed protein twice weekly and keep sugar water available constantly. Remove uneaten food promptly to prevent mold in the humid nest environment.

Colony Founding

Founding behavior has not been directly observed for this specific species. When starting a new colony, place your queen in a standard test tube setup with a water reservoir and cotton plug. Keep her in the dark and undisturbed at 20-25°C. If she follows the typical Aphaenogaster pattern, claustral founding is likely, the queen seals herself in a chamber and lives entirely on her stored body fat until her first workers hatch. First workers may appear in several months, though this timeline is unconfirmed for this species.

Frequently Asked Questions

Report an Issue

The current care sheet is based fully on literature. See inconsistencies, or something that's incorrect? Please report here, it will be resolved after review from an admin. Contributing to the blogs tab also helps providing information, to make us be able to further improve the caresheets. Thank you for your support!

References