Nylanderia bourbonica

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Expert
• Origin & Habitat: Native to Southeast Asia (Indomalayan realm), now pantropical through human commerce. Found across Asia, Pacific islands, Africa, Americas, and Southern Europe. Strongly associated with human disturbance, found in leaf litter, rotting wood, under stones, and on building walls ^[1][2][5].
• Colony Type: Polygynous, colonies contain multiple queens working together, contributing to invasive success ^[8].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: ~2.6-3.2 mm ^[2]
  • Worker: ~2.11-3.04 mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Up to several thousand workers (estimated based on polygynous structure)
  • Growth: Fast, typical for tropical tramp species
  • Development: 4-6 weeks at optimal temperature (estimated based on Formicinae patterns) (Development is rapid given tropical origin and opportunistic lifestyle)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep warm, roughly 22-28°C, based on tropical species patterns and cold tolerance observed in Hawaii ^[9].
  • Humidity: Moderate to high, provide a humidity gradient with consistently moist but not waterlogged substrate, based on nesting habits in leaf litter and rotting wood ^[1].
  • Diapause: No, tropical species do not require hibernation.
  • Nesting: Highly adaptable. Test tubes work well for founding colonies. For established colonies, use Y-tong, plaster, soil, or 3D-printed nests with naturalistic setups mimicking leaf litter and rotting wood ^[6].
• Behavior: Active and fast-moving with erratic foraging patterns. Workers are opportunistic generalists, collecting honeydew from aphids and scale insects, hunting small insects, and scavenging ^[10]. Not aggressive toward humans but defend food sources. Small size (2-3 mm) requires escape prevention with barriers like fluon. Polygynous structure means multiple queens coexist ^[8]. WARNING: This species is invasive in many regions, never release outside native range.
• Common Issues: colonies can become very populous quickly, regular feeding prevents pest behavior, small size means escape prevention is critical, use standard barriers, they may tend unwanted aphids on houseplants near the nest, overheating is more dangerous than cold, keep away from direct heat sources, as an invasive species, accidental release can cause ecological harm, never release colonies

Housing and Nest Setup

Nylanderia bourbonica is adaptable to various nest types. For founding colonies, a simple test tube setup works well, the queen seals herself in and raises first workers alone. Once the colony reaches 20-30 workers, transition to a small nest made of Y-tong, plaster, soil, or 3D-printed materials. Naturalistic setups with moist soil and decaying organic material mimic their preferred nesting sites in leaf litter and rotting wood ^[1][6]. Provide a humidity gradient within the nest and always include a water source. Outworld space should include substrate for foraging, as they naturally scavenge in leaf litter.

Feeding and Diet

As opportunistic generalists, they accept a wide variety of foods. Protein sources include small insects like fruit flies and pinhead crickets, offered 2-3 times per week. Sugar sources like honey water, sugar water, and ripe fruit should be constantly available. In the wild, they tend aphids and scale insects for honeydew ^[10]. Remove uneaten food after 24 hours to prevent mold. Prey items should be appropriately sized for their small stature.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Keep temperatures between 22-28°C for optimal activity. They show cold tolerance in introduced ranges, surviving at elevations above 900 m in Hawaii ^[9]. Room temperature is generally suitable. No diapause is required due to tropical origin. Avoid direct heat sources to prevent overheating. A gentle temperature gradient allows workers to self-regulate.

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Workers forage individually with erratic, fast movements. The polygynous structure means multiple queens contribute to egg production, leading to rapid colony growth. Colonies can reach several thousand workers in favorable conditions. Workers defend carbohydrate sources aggressively against other ants. They are primarily diurnal but may forage at night. Small size requires escape prevention with barriers like fluon on container rims. ^[8][2]

Invasive Status and Legal Considerations

Nylanderia bourbonica is a documented invasive species in Florida, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and many Pacific islands. NEVER release this species outside its native Southeast Asian range. If you no longer wish to keep your colony, find another keeper or humanely euthanize them. Responsible antkeeping prevents ecological harm. Check local laws regarding invasive species. ^[2][7]

Common Problems and Solutions

Colonies grow quickly due to multiple queens, ensure regular feeding to prevent pest behavior. Escape prevention is critical due to small size. They may tend aphids on houseplants, so keep nests away from susceptible plants. If colony seems sluggish, try raising temperature slightly. Primary concern is preventing accidental release in non-native areas. ^[2][7]

Frequently Asked Questions

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References