Bothriomyrmex communista

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Mediterranean region, found across southern Europe from Spain to the Caucasus, preferring warm, sunny, open areas like roadsides, mountain pastures, and ruderal sites in tourist resorts. They nest under stones in areas ranging from 10-900m altitude, with some populations found up to 1540m in Greek mountains ^[1][3].
• Colony Type: Temporary social parasite, queens invade Tapinoma host colonies to establish their colony.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: size data unavailable, inferred from genus to be slightly larger than workers
  • Worker: roughly 2.5-3mm total length, inferred from Bothriomyrmex genus patterns ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, likely small to moderate colonies based on similar Dolichoderinae
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Development: estimated 6-8 weeks based on typical Dolichoderinae development at warm temperatures (Development is likely faster than average due to their thermophilous nature, warm conditions accelerate brood development)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep warm at 24-28°C, this is a very thermophilous species that thrives in hot conditions. A heating cable on one side of the nest creates a temperature gradient they can choose from ^[1].
  • Humidity: Low to moderate, they prefer dry to moderately damp conditions. Allow the nest substrate to dry between water additions. Avoid overly damp conditions that can cause mold.
  • Diapause: Unknown, likely requires a brief winter rest period based on temperate origin, but specific requirements unconfirmed
  • Nesting: They naturally nest under stones in sunny, open areas. In captivity, a Y-tong (AAC) nest or plaster nest works well. Provide a shallow water reservoir and keep the nest relatively dry. They prefer narrow chambers scaled to their tiny size.
• Behavior: These are small, generally non-aggressive ants that don't have a painful sting. Workers are active foragers, primarily hunting small insects and tending aphids for honeydew. They can be skittish and quick-moving. Escape prevention is critical due to their tiny size, they can squeeze through remarkably small gaps. Use fine mesh barriers and tight-fitting lids. When threatened, they may emit a defensive chemical odor typical of Dolichoderinae ants.
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical, their tiny size means they can slip through the tiniest gaps, overheating risk, while thermophilous, extreme heat can kill colonies, mixed colonies with Tapinoma species have been found in the wild, if you obtain a colony that includes Tapinoma workers, they may need separation, slow colony growth during founding phase due to temporary parasitism dependency, wild-caught colonies may have parasites that affect survival in captivity

Housing and Nest Setup

Bothriomyrmex communista is a tiny ant that needs appropriately scaled housing. A Y-tong (AAC) nest or plaster nest works well, both allow you to control humidity while providing the dark, sheltered environment they prefer. The chambers should be small and narrow, matching their diminutive size. These ants naturally nest under stones in the wild, so they appreciate a setup that mimics cool, dark microclimates beneath objects. Provide a shallow water reservoir connected to the nest area, but keep the actual nest chambers relatively dry, these are not high-humidity ants. An outworld for foraging is essential, connected to the nest via tubing. ^[1][3]

Temperature and Heating

This species is strongly thermophilous, meaning they love warmth. Keep the nest area at 24-28°C for optimal colony health and development. In their natural Mediterranean habitat, they experience hot summers and mild winters, so they've evolved to thrive in warm conditions. A small heating cable placed on one side of the nest creates a temperature gradient that allows workers to regulate their own body temperature by moving between warmer and cooler areas. However, be careful not to overheat, temperatures above 35°C can be lethal. If your room temperature is already in this range, additional heating isn't necessary. Room temperature around 22-24°C may be acceptable but expect slower development. ^[1]

Feeding and Diet

Like most Dolichoderinae ants, Bothriomyrmex communista is omnivorous. They primarily hunt small insects and arthropods in the wild, and will readily accept small prey items like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, and other tiny insects. They also tend aphids for honeydew, so sugar water or diluted honey can be offered as a supplemental energy source. Feed small prey items 2-3 times per week, removing any uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent mold. A constant supply of sugar water is beneficial, especially for colony growth. Because of their tiny size, prey items must be appropriately sized, anything larger than their head is likely to be ignored.

Temporary Social Parasitism

One of the most fascinating aspects of Bothriomyrmex communista is their temporary social parasitism behavior. Unlike many ants where queens found colonies alone, B. communista queens invade colonies of related Tapinoma ants. The queen enters the host nest, kills or displaces the Tapinoma queen, and uses the existing host workers to raise her own brood. This strategy is advantageous because it eliminates the dangerous solo founding period, the queen doesn't need to survive months without workers. Once her first workers emerge, they gradually replace the host workers. If you collect a colony from the wild, you may occasionally find mixed colonies with both Bothriomyrmex and Tapinoma workers, which represents this transitional phase ^[2].

Escape Prevention

Due to their extremely small size, excellent escape prevention is essential. Workers are only about 2.5-3mm, meaning they can squeeze through gaps that would stop larger ants. Use tight-fitting lids on all containers, fine mesh on any ventilation holes, and apply Fluon or another barrier gel to the upper inner edges of formicarium lids. Check for gaps around tubing connections. When feeding in the outworld, use a feeding dish with steep sides or a moat setup. Never underestimate how small these ants are, even seemingly sealed containers may have microscopic gaps. ^[1]

Seasonal Care and Winter Rest

As a Mediterranean species, B. communista experiences seasonal temperature changes in the wild. While they don't require a true hibernation like some temperate ants, they benefit from a cooler winter period. Reduce temperatures to around 15-18°C for 4-6 weeks during winter months, reducing feeding to once every 2-3 weeks. This winter rest period helps synchronize their biological rhythms and may improve colony health long-term. Don't cool them dramatically, they're not cold-hardy and sudden temperature drops can be harmful. Simply moving them to an unheated room that's naturally cooler is usually sufficient. ^[1][3]

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References