Scientific illustration of Nesomyrmex pleuriticus ant - showing key identification features including head, thorax, and gaster.

Nesomyrmex pleuriticus

Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Nesomyrmex pleuriticus
Tribe
Crematogastrini
Subfamily
Myrmicinae
Author
Kempf, 1959
Distribution
Found in 11 countries
AI Identifiable
try →

Introduction

Nesomyrmex pleuriticus is a Neotropical ant in the Myrmicinae subfamily. It has a straight anterior margin of the pronotum, an opaque mesosoma with striate sculpture, and long erect hairs on the scapes and legs . The species ranges from Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil, inhabiting tropical dry forests and Amazonian floodplain forests . These ants are arboreal, nesting in plant cavities and foraging on vegetation . This species is notable for its non-aggressive, solitary foraging behavior, which differs from many other Myrmicinae .

Loading distribution map...

Status by country, from Kass et al. 2022 & Wong et al. 2023

Native Invasive Introduced (indoor) Intercepted Unknown
Data Sources
Year Range 2000 - 2026

Quick Summary

  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Origin & Habitat: Neotropical region from Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil, found in tropical dry forests, Amazonian floodplain forests, and lowland rainforests at elevations up to 135m [1][2]. They nest in plant cavities and hollow twigs [4][3].
  • Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed. Based on related Nesomyrmex species, it is likely monogyne (single queen), but this requires direct study [3].
  • Size & Growth:
    • Queen: Size data unavailable, full body measurements not provided in literature.
    • Worker: Size data unavailable, full body measurements not provided in literature.
    • Colony: Unknown, no data on colony size in the research context.
    • Growth: Unknown, no data on growth rate.
    • Development: Unconfirmed. Based on similar small tropical Myrmicines, estimate 6-10 weeks from egg to first worker at optimal temperature. (Direct development data unavailable. Estimate based on genus-level patterns for small tropical Myrmicinae.)
  • Antkeeping:
    • Temperature: Temperature needs are unclear, start around 24-28°C and observe, as this species is from warm tropical regions.
    • Humidity: Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, based on their arboreal habitat in humid forests.
    • Diapause: No, as a tropical species, diapause is not required.
    • Nesting: Arboreal setup is ideal. Use Y-tong (AAC), plaster, or naturalistic nests with small cavities to mimic plant-cavity nesting. Provide tight, small chambers scaled to their size [3][1].
  • Behavior: These ants are calm and non-aggressive, with solitary foraging behavior [3]. They forage individually on vegetation and are not defensive. Their tiny size requires excellent escape prevention, use fine mesh barriers [3]. Defense mechanism: As a member of the Myrmicinae subfamily and Crematogastrini tribe, they likely use a smear defense with a modified stinger, but this is general taxonomic knowledge and not species-specific.
  • Common Issues: tiny size makes escape prevention critical, use fine mesh and tight-fitting lids, arboreal nesting requires small cavities and enclosed spaces, not open soil setups, limited information means colony development may have unexpected challenges, solitary foraging may slow food discovery, place prey directly in foraging area, high humidity needs can lead to mold if ventilation is poor

Housing and Nest Setup

Nesomyrmex pleuriticus needs an arboreal setup that mimics plant-cavity nesting. Use a Y-tong (AAC) nest, plaster nest with small chambers, or a naturalistic setup with cork and twigs. Provide tight, small spaces scaled to their size, avoid large open areas. Place the nest vertically if possible. A small outworld allows for foraging. Escape prevention is critical due to their tiny size, use fine mesh on all openings [3][1].

Feeding and Diet

In the wild, they forage on vegetation for small prey and honeydew. In captivity, offer small live prey like flightless fruit flies or springtails, and sugar water or honey. Feed 2-3 times per week, removing uneaten food after 24 hours. Place food directly in the foraging area due to solitary foraging [3].

Temperature and Humidity

Maintain warm conditions around 24-28°C, with a gentle gradient if possible. Humidity should be moderate to high, keep the nest substrate moist but not waterlogged. Good ventilation prevents mold while maintaining moisture.

Colony Development and Growth

Direct data on development is limited. Expect moderate growth rates, first workers may take 6-10 weeks from egg at optimal temperature. Colony size is unknown, but growth may be slow. Monitor worker activity and brood production for health.

Behavior and Temperament

These ants are calm and non-aggressive, with solitary foraging on vegetation. They are not defensive and unlikely to bite. Their small size requires careful handling to avoid escape. Provide enrichment like twigs and leaves in the outworld [3][1].

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for Nesomyrmex pleuriticus to produce first workers?

Direct data is unavailable, but based on similar tropical Myrmicines, estimate 6-10 weeks from egg to first worker at optimal temperature (24-28°C). Patience is key as growth may be gradual.

What is the best nest type for Nesomyrmex pleuriticus?

Use an arboreal-style setup like a Y-tong (AAC) nest, plaster nest with small chambers, or a naturalistic setup with cork and small twigs. They need tight, enclosed spaces scaled to their tiny size.

Do Nesomyrmex pleuriticus ants sting?

They are not known to be aggressive, and their tiny size makes effective stinging unlikely. These ants are passive and non-defensive.

How big do Nesomyrmex pleuriticus colonies get?

Colony size is unknown, no data is available in the research context.

Can I keep multiple queens together?

Colony structure is unconfirmed. Based on typical Nesomyrmex patterns, they likely form single-queen colonies. Combining unrelated queens is not recommended without evidence.

Do they need hibernation?

No. As a tropical species, they do not require diapause. Slight temperature reduction in winter may occur naturally but is not necessary.

What do Nesomyrmex pleuriticus eat?

They are likely omnivorous. Offer small live prey (e.g., fruit flies, springtails) and sugar water or honey. Place food directly in the foraging area.

Are Nesomyrmex pleuriticus good for beginners?

They are rated as medium difficulty. Their small size and specific arboreal nesting requirements make them better suited for keepers with some experience.

Why are my Nesomyrmex pleuriticus escaping?

Their tiny size allows them to squeeze through small gaps. Use fine mesh (0.5mm or smaller), ensure all lids fit tightly, and check for gaps in your setup.

Where does Nesomyrmex pleuriticus live in the wild?

They range across the Neotropics from Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil, inhabiting tropical dry forests, Amazonian floodplain forests, and lowland rainforests, nesting in plant cavities and hollow twigs [1][2].

Report an Issue

The current care sheet is based fully on literature. See inconsistencies, or something that's incorrect? Please , 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

Creative Commons License

This caresheet is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 .