Megalomyrmex iheringi

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Atlantic Forest of São Paulo state, Brazil, specifically the Serra do Mar mountain range at elevations above 750-800 meters. They live in leaf litter, nesting under rotten logs and among bromeliads and epiphytes ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is not definitively documented. A dealated queen was collected with a colony, suggesting single-queen colonies may be typical, but this requires confirmation.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, no total length measurements in literature
  • Worker: Size data unavailable, no total length measurements in literature
  • Colony: Up to 260 workers based on field observations ^[2]
  • Growth: Unknown, no development data available
  • Development: Unknown for this species. Based on typical small Myrmicinae patterns, estimate 6-10 weeks at optimal temperature. (No direct development studies exist. Growth rate is inferred from related ants.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 22-26°C. This range is based on typical Atlantic Forest ant requirements, they prefer warm, stable conditions. Adjust based on colony activity ^[2].
  • Humidity: Keep the nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, as they are from a humid tropical region. Provide a water source and mist occasionally ^[2].
  • Diapause: No, as a tropical species, they likely do not require a winter rest period. Maintain consistent warm temperatures year-round ^[2].
  • Nesting: They naturally nest in rotten logs and soil crevices. In captivity, use a Y-tong (AAC) nest or plaster nest with small, appropriately scaled chambers. Keep the nest humid and provide a foraging area ^[2].
• Behavior: Workers are small and relatively docile. They are attracted to protein baits like tuna in field studies ^[1] and interact with fallen fleshy fruits ^[3]. They are not aggressive and pose no danger to keepers. Their tiny size means escape prevention is critical, use fine mesh and tight-fitting barriers. They forage in the leaf litter layer ^[2].
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical due to their very small size, they can squeeze through tiny gaps, limited distribution in the wild means wild-caught colonies may be rare and potentially illegal to collect in protected areas, colony sizes remain small (up to 260 workers), do not expect massive colonies, tropical species may be sensitive to temperature drops, keep warm year-round, dietary preferences are not well-documented, may require experimentation to find accepted foods

Natural History and Distribution

Megalomyrmex iheringi is one of the rarest Megalomyrmex species in Brazil, known only from the Atlantic Forest of São Paulo state. The original type locality was at Alto da Serra Paranapiacaba, collected in 1910 ^[4]. Most specimens have been collected from elevations above 800 meters in the Serra do Mar mountain range, with the southernmost record at Parque Estadual Intervales at 750 meters altitude ^[1]. They live in the leaf litter layer, nesting under rotten logs and in soil crevices among bromeliads and epiphytes. One colony was found occupying hollow spaces among crevices in soil beneath a rotten log, with no definite entrance observed ^[2]. This species is morphologically similar to Megalomyrmex goeldii but consistently differs in having a longer trunk (mesosoma) ^[1].

Nest Preferences and Housing

In the wild, Megalomyrmex iheringi nests in decaying wood and soil crevices within the forest floor. They've been found under rotten logs, among bromeliads, and in twigs with diameters around 14.77 mm ^[5]. For captive care, a Y-tong (AAC) nest or plaster formicarium works well. The chambers should be appropriately sized for their tiny workers. Keep the nest material consistently moist but not saturated. They do well with a separate outworld for foraging. Because of their very small size, escape prevention must be excellent, use fine mesh barriers and ensure all connections are sealed.

Feeding and Diet

Field studies show Megalomyrmex iheringi is attracted to protein baits, they were collected using tuna bait in Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho ^[1]. They've also been recorded visiting fallen fleshy fruits, particularly those that have been handled by frugivores ^[3]. In captivity, offer protein sources like small insects (fruit flies, pinhead crickets), and occasionally offer sugar water or honey. Based on their small size, live prey should be appropriately sized, flightless fruit flies and springtails are good options.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

As a tropical Atlantic Forest species from elevations above 750 meters, Megalomyrmex iheringi prefers warm, stable conditions. Keep the nest at 22-26°C. They are not adapted to cold temperatures and should be protected from drafts and cooling. Since they're from a region without harsh winters, they likely do not require a diapause period. Monitor colony behavior, if workers become sluggish, the temperature may be too low. ^[2]

Behavior and Temperament

Megalomyrmex iheringi workers are small and not aggressive, considered docile. The species is part of the modestus group within Megalomyrmex. Workers are uniformly bright reddish-brown in color. They forage in the leaf litter layer and are attracted to protein baits. Their small colony size means they remain relatively modest in numbers. They are not known to sting and pose no danger to keepers. The main concern for keepers is their tiny size making escape prevention challenging. ^[1][2]

Field Research and Rarity

This species has been rarely collected and documented in scientific literature. Most records come from a handful of locations in São Paulo state's Atlantic Forest: Alto da Serra Paranapiacaba, Estação Biológica de Boracéia, Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho, and Parque Estadual Intervales ^[1]. Studies comparing ant communities found them in secondary Atlantic Forest but rarely in adjacent pine plantations ^[6]. They appear to require intact forest habitat and are sensitive to environmental disturbance. This rarity makes wild-caught colonies difficult to obtain and potentially ethically concerning to collect from the wild.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References