Myrmica angulinodis

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Boreal forests (taiga) of Siberia, from Kuznetsky Alatau to the Pacific Ocean, also found in Mongolia, northern China, and the Korean Peninsula. In the north of its range it lives from sea level to several hundred meters, while in the Korean Peninsula it inhabits mountain forests and subalpine meadows at 1100-2500m elevation ^[3][7].
• Colony Type: Facultatively polygyne, colonies can have multiple queens, with wild colonies documented having up to 30 queens ^[3].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: ~5-7mm, inferred from Myrmica genus
  • Worker: 4.0-4.5mm ^[1][2]
  • Colony: Up to 1700 workers ^[3]
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Development: ~6-10 weeks, estimated from typical Myrmica development (Development time varies with temperature)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 20-24°C. This is a boreal species adapted to cooler conditions. Avoid temperatures above 25°C.
  • Humidity: Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. These ants prefer damp forest floor conditions.
  • Diapause: Yes, this is a boreal species requiring winter hibernation. Provide 3-4 months at 5-10°C during winter ^[3].
  • Nesting: In nature they nest in rotten wood, soil, and under stones. In captivity, provide a naturalistic setup with rotting wood pieces or a Y-tong/plaster nest with moisture retention. They prefer enclosed dark spaces.
• Behavior: Workers are general scavengers but will attend extrafloral nectaries and collect aphid honeydew ^[8]. They are not particularly aggressive but will defend their nest. Workers forage on the ground surface and under stones. Escape risk is moderate, use standard Myrmica escape prevention.
• Common Issues: hibernation failure, colonies often die if not given proper cold period, overheating, being a boreal species, they do poorly in warm conditions above 25°C, dry nesting material, they need consistently moist substrate, wild-caught colonies may contain parasites that can devastate captive colonies

Natural History and Distribution

Myrmica angulinodis is found across Siberia from the Kuznetsky Alatau mountains to the Pacific Ocean, with populations also in Mongolia, northern China, and the Korean Peninsula ^[7]. This species is strongly associated with taiga forests dominated by spruce, larch, fir, and birch, preferring areas with more open canopy and often living in clearings and glades ^[3]. In some old-growth Siberian forests, M. angulinodis is one of the most common ant species, accounting for up to 60% of all ant nests ^[3]. The species shows ecological flexibility, in northern Mongolia about 80% of colonies live in mountain forest biotopes, with roughly two-thirds nesting in rotten wood (usually tree stumps), while the remainder use grass tussocks, soil, or shelter under stones. In drier steppe-like areas, only 15% nest in rotten wood, with the majority choosing soil or stone cover instead ^[3]. In the Korean Peninsula, this ant inhabits mountain forests and subalpine meadows at elevations between 1100 and 2500 meters ^[3]. Mating swarms have been observed in early August at hilltops around 1050m elevation ^[3].

Nest Preferences and Housing

In the wild, M. angulinodis strongly prefers nesting in rotten wood, this is their primary nesting substrate in forested areas ^[3]. They will also nest in soil and under stones, showing flexibility depending on habitat conditions. For captive care, provide a naturalistic setup with rotting wood pieces or use a Y-tong/plaster nest that can retain moisture. The nest should be dark and enclosed, mimicking their natural underground or within-wood chambers. Because they come from damp boreal forests, the nesting material should be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged. A test tube setup can work for founding colonies, but established colonies do best in setups that allow for moisture retention in wood or soil substrate.

Feeding and Diet

Like most Myrmica species, M. angulinodis are generalist scavengers that will consume a variety of foods ^[8]. In the wild they eat dead insects, attend extrafloral nectaries, and collect honeydew from aphids. In captivity, offer a balanced diet of protein sources (small insects like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, mealworms) and sugar sources (sugar water, honey, or diluted honey). Protein should be offered 2-3 times per week, with sugar water constantly available. These ants will readily accept both live and dead prey. Avoid overfeeding, remove uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold issues.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

As a boreal forest species, M. angulinodis is adapted to cooler temperatures and does poorly in warm conditions. Keep the nest area at 20-24°C. Avoid temperatures above 25°C, as this species is not heat-tolerant. During the active season (spring through fall), room temperature is usually sufficient. In winter, this species requires a proper hibernation period of 3-4 months at temperatures between 5-10°C. This cold period is essential for colony health and triggers natural reproductive cycles. Failure to provide adequate hibernation often leads to colony decline. You can achieve this by moving the colony to an unheated garage, basement, or refrigerator (in a temperature-controlled container) during winter months. ^[3]

Colony Structure and Growth

M. angulinodis forms facultatively polygyne colonies that can grow quite large. The largest wild colony excavated contained approximately 1700 workers and 30 queens ^[3]. Workers are 4.0-4.5mm in body length with a brown to dark reddish-brown coloration, often having a darker head and gaster ^[1][2]. Growth rate is moderate. Founding colonies start slowly as the claustral queen raises her first workers (nanitics) from stored body reserves. Once the first workers emerge, colony growth accelerates but remains steadier rather than explosive.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References