Bothriomyrmex regicidus

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Expert
• Origin & Habitat: North Africa, found in Algeria and Tunisia in the Palaearctic region. Associated with colonies of Tapinoma, its host species ^[1][5][4].
• Colony Type: Temporary social parasite, single queen invades Tapinoma host colony, kills the host queen, and uses host workers to raise her brood until the first Bothriomyrmex workers emerge ^[1][2].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Tiny, described as 'very tiny female' in original notes. Size data unavailable for this species ^[1].
  • Worker: Extremely small, among the smallest ants. Size data unavailable ^[1].
  • Colony: Unknown, colonies depend entirely on host Tapinoma colony size.
  • Growth: Slow initially, depends on host colony acceptance and gradual replacement of host workers.
  • Development: Unknown, directly tied to host colony success. (Development is unusual, the queen uses host workers to raise her first brood. Timeline depends entirely on host colony health and acceptance.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at room temperature or slightly warm. Specific requirements unknown, observe colony behavior and adjust accordingly.
  • Humidity: Standard antkeeping humidity is likely sufficient. Avoid overly damp conditions.
  • Diapause: Unknown, North African species may have seasonal activity patterns, but specific requirements are unconfirmed.
  • Nesting: Cannot be kept independently. You must establish a healthy Tapinoma colony first, then introduce the Bothriomyrmex queen. Natural nests are within host colonies under stones or in soil.
• Behavior: Queens are specialized parasites that infiltrate Tapinoma colonies. The queen approaches the host queen, grabs her by the back of the head, and slowly cuts it off, a gruesome but effective takeover strategy ^[2]. Workers are tiny, fast-moving, and may be overlooked by keepers due to their minute size. Escape risk is low for the queen but workers can slip through standard barriers. Temperament is non-aggressive toward keepers but the species cannot survive without a host.
• Common Issues: establishing a host colony is extremely difficult, Tapinoma ants may not be readily available, queen introduction often fails, host workers may reject or kill the parasite queen, without proper host acceptance, the colony will die within weeks, tiny worker size makes escape prevention challenging, fine mesh is essential, this species cannot be kept as an independent colony, it will always need host workers

The Parasitic Lifestyle

Bothriomyrmex regicidus is a temporary social parasite, meaning it cannot found a colony on its own. The queen must invade an established Tapinoma colony to begin her colony. This is one of the most fascinating and challenging aspects of keeping this species. The queen approaches the host colony, locates the host queen, and then performs a remarkable execution, she grabs the host queen by the back of the head and slowly cuts it off ^[2]. Once the host queen is dead, the parasite queen uses the remaining host workers to raise her own brood. Over time, the host workers die off and are replaced by Bothriomyrmex workers, eventually resulting in a pure Bothriomyrmex colony. This process requires careful management.

Housing and Host Colony Requirements

You cannot keep Bothriomyrmex regicidus like a normal ant colony. The first and most critical step is establishing a healthy Tapinoma colony, this is your host colony. Tapinoma ants are small, dark ants often found running on sidewalks and walls in warm climates. Once you have a thriving Tapinoma colony, you can attempt to introduce the Bothriomyrmex queen. The introduction process is delicate, some keepers recommend cooling both colonies, placing the parasite queen in a test tube with a few host workers, and introducing them gradually. Success rates are low, and many attempts result in the parasite queen being killed by host workers. ^[1]

Feeding and Care

Once established, Bothriomyrmex colonies can be fed similarly to other small Dolichoderine ants. They likely feed on honeydew, sugar water, and small insects. Offer a drop of sugar water or honey regularly, along with small prey items like fruit flies or tiny cricket pieces. The host workers will initially do most of the foraging, so ensure food is accessible. As Bothriomyrmex workers replace host workers, you may notice them becoming more active foragers. Remove uneaten food after 24-48 hours to prevent mold. Always ensure fresh water is available.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

As a North African species, Bothriomyrmex regicidus likely prefers warm conditions, but specific temperature requirements are not documented in research. Keep the nest area at room temperature (around 20-25°C) during the active season. During winter, reduce temperatures slightly to simulate their natural seasonal cycle, but specific requirements are unconfirmed. Reduce feeding during any period of reduced activity but do not stop entirely. Return to normal temperatures gradually in spring to trigger renewed activity and brood production.

Why This Species is Expert-Only

Bothriomyrmex regicidus is not recommended for beginners or even intermediate antkeepers. The fundamental challenge is that this species cannot survive without a host colony, it is an obligate social parasite. Finding and maintaining a Tapinoma colony is difficult in itself, and then successfully introducing the parasite queen adds another layer of extreme difficulty. Even experienced antkeepers report low success rates with parasitic ant introductions. Additionally, the species is extremely rare in the hobby and information is limited. If you're interested in parasitic ants, consider starting with more documented species or focus on understanding Tapinoma colony biology first. This species is best left to researchers or expert antkeepers with specific scientific interest in parasitic ant behavior. ^[1][2]

Frequently Asked Questions

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References