Lepisiota thepthepae

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Unknown, this is a newly described species with no established husbandry records
• Origin & Habitat: Thailand (Chiang Mai and Sisaket Provinces), grassland habitat, soil nesting ^[1]
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed for this species
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Approximately 5-7mm total length, inferred from Lepisiota genus patterns ^[1]
  • Worker: Approximately 2-3mm total length, inferred from Lepisiota genus patterns ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony size data available for this species
  • Growth: Unknown, no development data available
  • Development: Unknown, no direct measurements exist for this species (This is a newly described species with no captive development data.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Likely 22-28°C based on Thailand origin. Start around 24-26°C and observe colony activity. If workers cluster near heat, increase slightly, if they avoid it, reduce.
  • Humidity: Moderate humidity likely preferred. Keep nest substrate lightly moist but not waterlogged. Grassland species suggest they tolerate drier conditions than forest-dwelling ants.
  • Diapause: Unknown, tropical species from Thailand may not require formal hibernation, but may slow down during cooler months.
  • Nesting: Soil-nesting species from grassland habitat. A naturalistic setup with soil or a Y-tong/plaster nest with moist substrate would likely work well. Avoid overly wet conditions.
• Behavior: Behavior is unstudied in captivity. Based on genus patterns, they are likely generalist foragers that accept sugar and protein sources. Their small size means escape prevention must be excellent, they can squeeze through tiny gaps. Exercise caution with aggression assessments until established in captivity.
• Common Issues: no established husbandry records, this species is newly described and no captive care guides exist, escape prevention is critical due to small worker size, growth rate is unknown making it difficult to predict colony development, tropical origin means temperature sensitivity is a concern in cooler climates, lack of documented diet acceptance means you may need to experiment with food options

Discovery and Taxonomy

Lepisiota thepthepae was only recently described in 2023 by Jarernkong and Jaitrong, making it one of the newest ant species in the hobby. The species was named in honor of Dr. Nopparat Thepthepa, Director of the Office of Natural Science Research in Thailand, who has supported biodiversity research in the country ^[1].

The type series was collected from soil in grassland habitats in Sisaket Province, Thailand, with additional specimens found in Chiang Mai Province. This is currently the only known distribution for the species. The workers were collected in September 2018,and the Chiang Mai specimens were found in October 2013 ^[1].

This species can be identified by its small size, distinctive coloration (dark brown head, reddish mesosoma, black gaster), and several key morphological features: smooth and shiny ventral head surface, straight propodeum dorsal outline, and notably dense standing hairs on the gaster. It is most similar to Lepisiota reticulata from China but can be separated by the smooth ventral head (weakly striate in L. reticulata) and dense gaster hairs (very sparse in L. reticulata) ^[1].

Morphology and Identification

Workers of Lepisiota thepthepae are tiny, measuring approximately 2-3mm in total length. They have a distinctly longer-than-broad head with convex lateral and posterior margins. Their eyes are moderately large and oval, containing 18-20 ommatidia along the longest axis. The mandibles have five teeth: a large apical tooth, medium-sized preapical tooth, a small tooth, medium-sized prebasal tooth, and small basal tooth ^[1].

The body coloration is distinctive: the dorsum of the head is dark brown while the ventral surface is reddish-brown. The mesosoma and petiole are reddish, while the gaster is dark brown to black. The antennae, mandibles, and legs are reddish-brown. The gaster has notably dense standing hairs, which helps distinguish this species from similar relatives ^[1].

Queens are larger at approximately 5-7mm total length. They have larger eyes with more than 25 ommatidia and a more robust mesosoma. The queen's entire body is finely punctate and colored reddish brown to dark brown ^[1].

Housing and Nesting

Since this is a soil-nesting species from grassland habitats, a naturalistic setup with a soil-filled container or a Y-tong/plaster nest with moist substrate would be the most appropriate starting point. The key is to provide conditions that mimic their natural grassland soil environment, moderately moist but not waterlogged substrate.

Given their small worker size, escape prevention is absolutely critical. Use fine mesh on any ventilation holes, ensure all connections are sealed, and consider using fluon or other barrier methods on container edges. These tiny ants can squeeze through gaps that would stop larger species.

Start with a simple setup, a test tube setup can work for founding colonies, but you may need to transition to a more naturalistic setup as the colony grows. Monitor humidity levels carefully, as grassland species typically prefer conditions that are drier than forest-dwelling ants.

Feeding and Diet

Diet preferences have not been documented for this species. Based on typical Lepisiota genus behavior, they are likely generalist feeders that accept both sugar sources and protein. Start by offering sugar water or honey as a constant sugar source, and protein sources like small insects (fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or small mealworms).

Because this is a newly described species with no captive care records, you may need to experiment to determine what foods they accept. Start with small amounts and observe what gets consumed. Remove uneaten food after 24-48 hours to prevent mold issues.

Given their tiny size, prey items should be appropriately scaled, very small insects or pre-killed arthropods work better than larger prey that could overwhelm the workers.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Being from tropical Thailand (Chiang Mai and Sisaket Provinces), this species likely prefers warm conditions. Based on their geographic origin, aim for temperatures in the 22-28°C range, with 24-26°C being a good starting point. Observe your colony's behavior, if workers cluster near any heat source, the temperature may be too cool, if they avoid heated areas, it may be too warm.

Since this is a tropical species, formal hibernation is likely not necessary. However, they may experience seasonal slowdowns during cooler months in your local climate. Monitor activity levels and reduce feeding during periods of reduced activity.

If you live in a cooler climate, you may need to provide supplemental heating to maintain appropriate temperatures year-round. A heating cable on one side of the nest can create a temperature gradient, allowing the ants to self-regulate.

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