Dolichoderus spurius

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Unknown
• Origin & Habitat: Neotropical rainforests in French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago ^[1].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed, no specific research on queen number ^[1].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, no total length measurements from research.
  • Worker: Size data unavailable, no total length measurements from research.
  • Colony: Up to several hundred workers, estimated from genus patterns.
  • Growth: Unknown, likely moderate based on related species.
  • Development: Estimated 6-8 weeks at tropical temperatures. (Development time is estimated from genus-level data, as species-specific research is unavailable.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 24-28°C, based on Neotropical habitat.
  • Humidity: Maintain high humidity with moist substrate, as inferred from forest habitat ^[1].
  • Diapause: No, tropical species do not require hibernation.
  • Nesting: Provide Y-tong or plaster nest with high humidity, based on genus preferences ^[1].
• Behavior: Dolichoderus ants are generally calm and not aggressive. They may produce defensive secretions when threatened. Escape risk is moderate due to size.
• Common Issues: tropical species requires stable warm temperatures, cold kills them quickly., high humidity needs can lead to mold if ventilation is poor., limited availability in the antkeeping hobby makes acquisition difficult., care is based on genus inference rather than specific research., wild-caught colonies may not adapt well to captive conditions.

Natural History and Distribution

Dolichoderus spurius is native to the Neotropical region, with documented populations in French Guiana, Guyana, Peru ^[2], Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago ^[1]. The species was originally described as a variety of Dolichoderus bidens by Forel in 1903 before being elevated to full species status by Mackay in 1993 ^[1]. These ants inhabit tropical lowland rainforests where they typically nest in decaying wood or under loose bark, common behavior for the genus ^[1].

Housing and Nest Preferences

In captivity, Dolichoderus spurius does best in a naturalistic setup that mimics its forest-floor habitat. Provide a formicarium with high humidity, a Y-tong nest or plaster nest works well, as these materials hold moisture effectively. Include rotting wood pieces or cork bark within the setup to provide the dark, enclosed spaces these ants prefer. The outworld should be spacious enough for foraging, with a water test tube as a humidity source. Maintain substrate moisture but avoid waterlogging, which can kill the colony. Good ventilation is essential to prevent mold while maintaining the humidity levels this species requires. ^[1]

Temperature and Humidity Requirements

As a tropical species, Dolichoderus spurius requires warm temperatures in the range of 24-28°C. Temperatures below 20°C can be harmful, and prolonged cold exposure will kill the colony. Provide a temperature gradient within the setup so workers can choose their preferred warmth. Humidity should be kept high at 70-80%, achieved through moist substrate and a water reservoir. These ants are adapted to the constantly warm and humid conditions of tropical rainforests, so stability is more important than variation. Unlike temperate species, they do not require any cooling period or hibernation, maintain tropical conditions year-round. ^[1]

Feeding and Diet

Dolichoderus spurius likely has an omnivorous diet typical of forest-floor ants. They probably feed on honeydew from aphids and scale insects in the wild, along with small insects and other protein sources. In captivity, offer a varied diet including sugar water or honey as an energy source, and protein sources such as small crickets, mealworms, or other insects. Feed protein 2-3 times per week and provide constant access to sugar sources. Remove uneaten food promptly to prevent mold. ^[1]

Behavior and Temperament

Dolichoderus ants are generally calm and not particularly aggressive toward keepers. When threatened, they may use their abdominal glands to produce defensive secretions, this is a characteristic behavior of the subfamily Dolichoderinae. Workers are active foragers that search the outworld for food. They do not have a painful sting, making them relatively safe to handle. Escape prevention should be standard, while not the smallest ants, they can still escape through small gaps. Use Fluon on container rims and ensure any connections between nest and outworld are secure. ^[1]

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