Crematogaster ransonneti

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Native to Sri Lanka and India, recorded from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal ^[5]. They are arboreal, nesting and foraging in trees in forests, gardens, and cultivated fields ^[2].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unknown for this species. No direct evidence exists for queen number or social organization.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: size data unavailable
  • Worker: size data unavailable
  • Colony: unknown
  • Growth: unknown
  • Development: estimated 6-8 weeks at optimal tropical temperatures based on genus patterns (Development time is estimated – not directly studied for this species. Tropical species typically develop faster than temperate ones.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 24-28°C – they come from warm tropical regions. A heating cable on one side can create a gentle gradient if room temperature falls below this range. (inferred from habitat)
  • Humidity: Provide a humidity gradient with a slightly moist nest substrate – they are arboreal and from monsoon regions, so they likely prefer humid air but not standing water. Avoid waterlogging. (inferred from habitat)
  • Diapause: Unknown – they are tropical, so hibernation is unlikely, but reduced activity during cooler months is possible.
  • Nesting: Arboreal – they nest in trees. Use Y-tong (AAC) or plaster nests with tight chambers scaled to their tiny size, plus vertical climbing structures. Avoid large open spaces.
• Behavior: Behavior is poorly studied. As a member of tribe Crematogastrini, they have a modified stinger used to smear venom rather than pierce. Their small size (body under 2mm) makes escape risk high – use very fine mesh (0.5mm or smaller) on all vents. They are likely docile and non-aggressive (inferred from genus patterns).
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical due to very small size – use fine mesh and seal all gaps, susceptible to desiccation if humidity drops too low, wild-caught colonies may carry pathogens – quarantine new colonies, difficult to source due to uncommon status in the wild

Housing and Nest Setup

Because Crematogaster ransonneti is arboreal, their setup should mimic a tree environment. Use a Y-tong (AAC) or plaster nest with small chambers – they prefer tight spaces. Include vertical elements like cork bark or twigs for climbing. Escape prevention is critical: workers are tiny, so use 0.5mm mesh on ventilation holes and seal all joints. A shallow outworld with a water source completes the setup. ^[2]

Feeding and Diet

In the wild they likely feed on honeydew and small insects. In captivity, offer a constant sugar source (honey or sugar water) and small live prey like fruit flies or pinhead crickets. Remove uneaten food after 24-48 hours to prevent mold.

Temperature and Humidity

Maintain 24-28°C – they are tropical. Humidity should be moderate to high, keep the nest substrate slightly moist but not wet. A shallow water dish in the outworld helps. They do not need hibernation but may slow down in cooler months.

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Behavior is not well studied. They belong to tribe Crematogastrini, which includes species that smear venom rather than sting. They are likely docile. Their small size makes them excellent climbers. The species is uncommon in nature ^[1], and colony size is unknown.

Acquisition and Establishment

This species is rarely available. If you obtain a founding queen, provide a dark, quiet tube with a small water source. Founding method is unconfirmed, keep her undisturbed until first workers appear, which may take 6-8 weeks based on genus patterns. ^[4]

Frequently Asked Questions

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References