Lepisiota melas

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Native to the Mediterranean region, Greece (including Crete, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Ionian Islands, Peloponnese), Serbia, Turkey, and Iran. Inhabits warm, dry open habitats including olive plantations, pastures, coastal frygana, deciduous forests, and rocky areas from sea level to 766m altitude ^[1][2][3][4].
• Colony Type: Polygynous, colonies contain multiple queens (4-6 documented in wild colonies) that work together. This is a permanent multi-queen system. Queens are ergatoid (wingless) ^[5][6].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Ergatoid (wingless) queens, measurements not specified in available literature ^[5]
  • Worker: 3.3-3.6mm total length ^[3]
  • Colony: Colony size not specifically documented in available literature
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Development: Development time not documented for this species (Queens begin laying eggs immediately after mating. Cocoons measure approximately 3mm x 1.2mm ^[5].)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 22-28°C. This is a warmth-loving Mediterranean species that can tolerate high surface temperatures in the wild, including asphalt and cement. Provide a warm area in the nest with a gentle gradient ^[5][4].
  • Humidity: Low to moderate, they naturally inhabit dry Mediterranean environments. Keep nest substrate moderately dry with occasional misting. Allow areas to dry out between waterings ^[4].
  • Diapause: No, these ants remain active year-round in their Mediterranean range. The Barcelona population showed no outdoor activity November-January but resumed when temperatures reached 16°C in February, suggesting they slow down in cool weather but do not require true hibernation ^[5].
  • Nesting: Nests under flat stones and in rock rubble in the wild. In captivity, a naturalistic setup with flat stones or a Y-tong/plaster nest with narrow chambers works well. They can adapt to test tube setups but prefer tighter spaces that mimic their natural rock crevices ^[6][4].
• Behavior: Workers are small and fast-moving. They show no aggression toward conspecifics from different nests (tested in laboratory encounters) and readily coexist with other ant species in the wild. Workers forage individually and carry dead insects solitarily or in loose groups, they do not use mass recruitment trails. They are not aggressive defenders and rarely sting. Their small size means they can slip through small gaps, but they are not particularly adept escape artists ^[5][7].
• Common Issues: colonies may fail if kept too cold, they need warm conditions to remain active, small worker size means escape prevention should be taken seriously, use tight-fitting lids and fine mesh barriers, polygynous colonies can be sensitive to disturbance, avoid frequently moving nests, no hibernation required but cool temperatures will slow activity significantly, WARNING: this species is invasive in Barcelona, Spain, do not release in non-native regions

Housing and Nest Setup

Lepisiota melas adapts well to various nest types but thrives in setups that match their natural preferences. In the wild, they nest under flat stones and in rock rubble, preferring areas that stay warm and relatively dry. For captivity, a Y-tong or plaster nest with narrow chambers works well. Test tube setups can work but provide some formicarium expansion as the colony grows. These ants do not need high humidity, a naturalistic setup with flat stones on dry substrate mimics their Mediterranean habitat. The Barcelona population successfully nests under pavement and concrete, demonstrating their adaptability to urban environments. Ensure the nest has a warm area (around 24-28°C) and a cooler area for workers to self-regulate. ^[6][5][4]

Feeding and Diet

Workers are generalist scavengers and predators. In the wild, they carry dead insects (coccinellids, grasshoppers, other hymenopterans) both solitarily and in loose groups. They also tend to honeydew-producing insects and likely exploit sugar sources. In captivity, offer a varied diet: protein sources like small insects (fruit flies, pinhead crickets, mealworms) and sugar water or honey. They are not aggressive hunters but will readily consume dead prey. Feed protein 2-3 times per week and keep sugar water available constantly. Unlike some tropical ants, they do not require specialized diets, standard ant feeding protocols work well. ^[5]

Temperature and Seasonal Care

As a Mediterranean species, Lepisiota melas prefers warm conditions. Keep nest temperatures between 22-28°C, with a warm spot around 26-28°C and a gradient to cooler areas. They tolerate high temperatures well, in the wild, they colonize asphalt and cement surfaces that reach very high temperatures. Unlike temperate species, they do not require hibernation. The Barcelona population showed no outdoor activity during November-January when temperatures dropped, but resumed activity in February when temperatures reached 16°C. This suggests they can tolerate cool periods but prefer warmth. If your room temperature falls below 20°C, consider using a heating cable on one side of the nest to maintain warmth. ^[5][4]

Colony Structure and Multi-Queen Care

This is a polygynous species, colonies naturally contain multiple queens (typically 4-6 documented in wild colonies). Unlike species where multiple queens fight, these queens coexist peacefully and all contribute to reproduction. The Barcelona population showed zero aggression in laboratory encounters between workers from nests over 150m apart. When keeping this species, you do not need to separate queens, they work cooperatively. Wingless (ergatoid) queens have been observed in established colonies. Queens begin laying eggs immediately after mating. This social structure makes the species relatively forgiving of disturbance compared to single-queen species. ^[5][6]

Behavior and Foraging

Workers are small, fast-moving ants that forage individually rather than in recruitment trails. Unlike species like fire ants, they do not exhibit mass recruitment, when food is found, workers either work alone or in loose groups without the dramatic trail-forming behavior. They are not particularly aggressive and coexist peacefully with other ant species in the wild (documented living alongside at least 8 other species in Barcelona). Workers can exploit very hot surfaces and are tolerant of dry conditions. They are not known for stinging and pose no danger to keepers. Their small size and fast movement can make them seem nervous, but they are generally calm in captivity. ^[5][7]

Frequently Asked Questions

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References