Dolichoderus varians

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Tropical rainforest of the Amazon basin in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and French Guiana ^[2]. Found in primary forest environments including logged and burnt forest areas in Pará, Brazil ^[3].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed. No species-specific data exists on queen number or colony size.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, no measurements exist for this species
  • Worker: Size data unavailable, no measurements exist for this species
  • Colony: Unknown, no data available for this species
  • Growth: Unknown, no species-specific data exists
  • Development: Unknown, no species-specific data exists (Development time is unconfirmed for this species)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 24-28°C. These are tropical ants requiring warm, stable temperatures. A heating cable on one side of the nest creates a suitable gradient.
  • Humidity: High humidity (70-80%) mimicking tropical rainforest conditions. Keep the nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  • Diapause: No, being a tropical species, they do not require hibernation. Maintain warm temperatures year-round ^[2].
  • Nesting: In nature they likely nest in rotting wood, under bark, or in arboreal cavities in the rainforest. In captivity, a Y-tong (AAC) nest or naturalistic setup with wood pieces works well. They prefer tight, humid chambers.
• Behavior: Dolichoderus ants are generally not aggressive. They forage for honeydew and small insects. Workers are active and can move quickly. Their small size means escape prevention should be moderate, standard formicarium precautions apply. They lack a functional stinger but can still defend by biting and using chemical secretions.
• Common Issues: tropical species may decline if temperatures drop below 22°C, keep consistently warm, wild-caught colonies may be stressed from collection and transport, leading to colony failure, limited natural history data means care is based on genus inference rather than species-specific research, high humidity requirements can lead to mold issues if ventilation is inadequate, this species is not commonly encountered and may be difficult to acquire

Housing and Nest Setup

Dolichoderus varians does best in a Y-tong (AAC) nest or a naturalistic setup with rotting wood pieces. They prefer tight, humid chambers that mimic their natural arboreal nesting sites in tropical forests. A test tube setup can work for founding colonies, but transfer to a proper nest is recommended once the colony reaches 15-20 workers. The nest material should retain moisture well, plaster or acrylic nests with water reservoirs work better than dry setups. Provide a small outworld for foraging with a sugar water station and protein prey. ^[1][2]

Feeding and Diet

Like other Dolichoderus species, D. varians likely feeds primarily on honeydew collected from aphids and scale insects, plus small insects for protein. In captivity, offer a constant source of sugar water or honey, and provide small protein sources like fruit flies, small mealworms, or cricket pieces twice weekly. They are not aggressive predators but will scavenge small insects. Avoid large prey items that they cannot subdue. Fresh fruit can also be accepted occasionally.

Temperature and Humidity

These tropical ants require warm temperatures between 24-28°C. A heating cable placed on one side of the nest creates a thermal gradient they can regulate by moving between chambers. Temperature drops below 22°C can stress colonies and slow or stop brood development. Humidity should be high (70-80%), the nest substrate should feel consistently moist. Mist the outworld occasionally but avoid letting water pool in the nest area. Good ventilation is essential to prevent mold while maintaining humidity. ^[3]

Colony Establishment

Established colonies may be difficult to find since this species is not common. If you obtain a founding queen, provide a claustral setup, she will seal herself in a chamber and raise the first workers on her stored fat reserves. Do not disturb the founding chamber for at least 4-6 weeks. Once the first workers emerge, they will begin foraging. The colony will grow slowly at first, then accelerate as the worker force increases.

Behavior and Temperament

Dolichoderus varians is a peaceful species that rarely shows aggression. Workers are active foragers, primarily collecting honeydew but also scavenging small insects. They do not have a functional stinger but can bite and secrete defensive chemicals from their anal gland. The colony will likely establish multiple chambers for brood storage and food caching. Workers communicate using chemical trails to guide nestmates to food sources. They are not escape artists, standard barrier methods are sufficient for this species. ^[4][5]

Ecological Notes

In the wild, Dolichoderus varians has been documented as prey of the army ant Eciton hamatum in Ecuador ^[4][5]. This indicates they are part of the forest floor and lower canopy fauna that army ants prey upon. They are not commonly encountered, the species is described as 'not very common' in Colombia ^[1]. Their distribution spans the Amazon basin, with records from primary forest habitats in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and French Guiana. This was a new record for Colombia when documented in Putumayo ^[1].

Frequently Asked Questions

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References