Lordomyrma stoneri

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Unknown, likely Medium to Hard due to limited data
• Origin & Habitat: Endemic to Fiji, specifically the mountains of southeastern Viti Levu near Suva. Found in tropical forest habitats, collected from leaf litter ^[1][3].
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed, colony structure has not been documented in scientific literature
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unknown, queen measurements not documented
  • Worker: 4.21–5.52 mm ^[1][2]
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony size data available
  • Growth: Unknown, estimated Moderate based on worker size
  • Development: Unknown, estimated 6–10 weeks based on typical Myrmicinae development at tropical temperatures (No direct development data exists for this species. Estimates based on related Lordomyrma species and typical Myrmicinae patterns.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Estimated 22–26 °C – start in this range and observe colony activity. As a tropical Fiji species, they likely prefer warm, stable conditions.
  • Humidity: High humidity likely required – forest floor litter dwellers typically need 70–85% humidity. Keep substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  • Diapause: Unlikely – tropical species from Fiji does not require hibernation. May have seasonal slowdowns related to wet/dry seasons.
  • Nesting: Based on litter collection, they likely nest in soil or decaying wood in forest floor environments. A naturalistic setup with moist substrate or a Y‑tong/plaster nest works well. Provide small chambers scaled to their moderate size.
• Behavior: Behavior is poorly documented. They are likely moderate foragers that search leaf litter for small prey. Escape risk is moderate due to their 4–5 mm size – use standard barrier methods. No sting data available, but Myrmicinae typically have stingers though many are too small to penetrate human skin effectively.
• Common Issues: limited availability – this species is rarely available in the ant trade due to its restricted endemic range, no established care protocols – keepers will be pioneering husbandry methods, escape prevention needed despite moderate size – they can still squeeze through small gaps, humidity management is critical – forest floor species are sensitive to drying out, wild‑caught colonies may have parasites or disease that can cause captive failures

Natural History and Distribution

Lordomyrma stoneri is endemic to the island of Viti Levu in Fiji, specifically restricted to a narrow mountain range in the southeastern part of the island near Suva ^[1][3]. This extremely limited distribution makes it one of the more geographically restricted ant species in Fiji. The species was originally described in 1925 by Mann as a subspecies of Lordomyrma tortuosa, later elevated to species rank by Sarnat in 2006 ^[4]. It forms a species complex with two close relatives, Lordomyrma tortuosa and Lordomyrma desupra, with which it shares its range ^[5]. All Lordomyrma species in Fiji are found in forested habitats, and Lordomyrma stoneri specifically has been collected by sifting leaf litter from the forest floor ^[1][3], indicating it nests in soil or decaying organic matter at ground level.

Identification and Appearance

This is one of the larger Lordomyrma species in Fiji, with workers measuring 4.21–5.52 mm in total length ^[1][2]. The most distinctive features are its shiny reddish-brown integument, massive and strongly convex promesonotum that visibly bulges above the level of the head and propodeum, and strong upturned propodeal spines ^[3]. The body has reduced sculpturing compared to related species, giving it a notably shiny appearance. The propodeal spines are triangular, divergent, and roughly as long as the width of the procoxae when viewed in profile ^[1]. It can be distinguished from Lordomyrma tortuosa by its weaker face sculpture, and from Lordomyrma desupra and Lordomyrma vuda by its strongly upturned spines. The only other Fiji species with similarly upturned spines is Lordomyrma curvata, which is nearly half the size ^[3].

Housing and Nesting

Since this species has been collected from leaf litter ^[1][3], they likely nest in moist soil or decaying wood in forest floor environments. For captive care, a naturalistic setup with consistently moist substrate works well – think damp forest floor conditions rather than dry setups. A Y‑tong (AAC) nest or plaster nest with small chambers scaled to their 4–5 mm worker size would be appropriate. Provide a water reservoir to maintain humidity, and consider adding a layer of leaf litter or small debris in the outworld to simulate their natural forest floor habitat. Since they are a ground‑nesting species, ensure the nest chambers are not too large or open – tighter spaces help them feel secure. Use standard escape prevention methods, while not tiny, they can still squeeze through small gaps.

Feeding and Diet

The diet of Lordomyrma stoneri has not been documented, but based on typical Myrmicinae behavior and their forest floor habitat, they likely forage for small invertebrates and may tend aphids for honeydew. Offer a varied diet including small live prey like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or mealworms, along with sugar sources such as honey water or sugar water. Since they are collected from leaf litter, they probably prefer protein‑rich foods. Start with offering protein prey once or twice weekly and sugar water constantly. Remove uneaten prey after 24–48 hours to prevent mold. As this is a poorly studied species, keepers may need to experiment to determine preferred foods.

Temperature and Humidity Requirements

As a tropical species from Fiji, Lordomyrma stoneri likely requires warm and humid conditions. Their tropical forest habitat ^[1][3] suggests a temperature range of roughly 22–26 °C – start in the middle of this range and adjust based on colony behavior. If workers become sluggish, increase temperature slightly, if they avoid the heated areas, reduce it. Humidity is particularly important for this species given their leaf‑litter habitat. Aim for 70–85% humidity by keeping the nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow some drier areas in the outworld so ants can self‑regulate. Avoid both excessive dryness and stagnant, overly wet conditions which can lead to mold.

Colony Development and Growth

No specific development data exists for this species. Based on typical Myrmicinae patterns and their moderate worker size (4–5 mm), estimate an egg‑to‑worker timeline of 6–10 weeks at optimal tropical temperatures. Queens have not been documented, so colony founding behavior is unknown. Colony size is also unknown – related Lordomyrma species typically form colonies of several hundred workers. Growth is likely moderate – faster than tiny Cryptoneirus but slower than fast‑growing Camponotus species. Patience will be required when establishing colonies.

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