Myopias conicara

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Expert
• Origin & Habitat: Hot tropical and subtropical evergreen forests in southern Yunnan, China, and northern Vietnam, often under stones in limestone karst areas at elevations around 200-1200 m ^[1][2][3]
• Colony Type: Single-queen colonies (monogyne) with small colony sizes. Workers are monomorphic with minimal size variation between castes ^[2]
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: 10.0 mm ^[1]
  • Worker: 7.2-8.3 mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Up to 41 workers based on observed colony ^[2]
  • Growth: Slow
  • Development: Unknown, no direct data available (Development timeline has not been studied. Based on typical ponerine patterns, expect several months for first workers.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep warm, roughly 24-28°C, based on their tropical habitat ^[1]
  • Humidity: Keep substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, as they nest under stones in damp forests ^[2]
  • Diapause: No diapause required for this tropical species ^[1]
  • Nesting: Provide a dark, humid nest chamber under a stone or tile, mimicking natural under-stone nesting ^[2]
• Behavior: Workers are specialized ground predators that hunt millipedes by grasping and stinging them ventrally, then retrieving prey to the nest. Both queen and workers feed directly on prey inside the nest chamber. They are not aggressive toward humans but have functional stingers. Prey processing is methodical, taking over 12 hours per millipede ^[2][3]
• Common Issues: specialized diet makes this species extremely difficult to maintain, they refuse most standard prey like termites and cockroaches, accepting only mealworms and millipedes ^[2], difficulty of obtaining a sustainable millipede food source is the primary challenge for keeping this species, small colony size means losses have big impact, a colony with only 41 workers is fragile ^[2], queen feeds directly on prey inside nest, if prey runs out, the colony may struggle more than species where only workers forage ^[2], wild-caught colonies may have specific mite or parasite loads from their specialized habitat

Housing and Nest Setup

Use a container with damp soil or sand as substrate, at least 3-4 cm deep, with a flat stone or ceramic tile on top to create a dark, humid chamber. This mimics their natural under-stone nesting habitat ^[2]. The nest chamber should be spacious enough for multiple ants to process prey. Connect an outworld area for hunting, and use standard escape prevention like Fluon on edges ^[2]. Keep the setup at warm temperatures around 24-28°C ^[1].

Feeding and Diet

This species is a specialist predator that primarily eats millipedes. In captivity, they accept mealworms but refuse termites and cockroaches ^[2]. You will need a sustainable source of small millipedes or regular mealworms. Feeding is methodical: workers sting prey, retrieve it, lick it for 1-2 hours, then dismantle it ring by ring, taking over 12 hours per millipede ^[2][3]. Feed prey 2-3 times weekly, removing uneaten items after 24 hours. Do not offer sugar water or fruit, their diet is protein-based.

Temperature and Environmental Needs

Maintain temperatures between 24-28°C (75-82°F) to match their tropical habitat ^[1]. Humidity should be moderate to high, keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged, as they nest in damp forest understories ^[2]. No diapause is needed for this species ^[1]. Avoid cold drafts and temperatures below 20°C.

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Colonies are small and relatively docile. The queen stays near brood, walks around the nest, and feeds directly on prey alongside workers ^[2]. Workers are monomorphic and hunt millipedes by stinging them ventrally, then recruiting nestmates if needed. Prey processing involves removing the head first, then feeding larvae ring-by-ring ^[2][3].

Colony Founding

Founding behavior is unconfirmed for this species. If you obtain a newly mated queen, provide a small, dark, humid chamber and avoid disturbance. Do not offer food unless she leaves the chamber, which would indicate semi-claustral behavior. Wait several weeks before checking for eggs, and expect months for first workers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References