Nylanderia steinheili

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Expert
• Origin & Habitat: Native range remains undetermined, but the species spans Central America, South America, and the West Indies ^[2][3]. It has been introduced to Florida, the Galápagos Islands, and other Caribbean locations ^[4][5][6]. You will find them in lowland areas below 400 meters elevation, typically in forest patches, agricultural land, and human-modified environments ^[2][3][6].
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed. Based on Nylanderia patterns, colonies are likely polygynous (multiple queens) in established populations, but this remains unverified.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: ~3.20-3.40 mm ^[1]
  • Worker: ~1.70-2.30 mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, likely moderate based on related species.
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Development: Unknown, likely several weeks based on Nylanderia patterns. (Development speed depends on temperature. Warmer conditions likely speed up growth.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep warm at 24-30°C. This tropical species tolerates brief exposure to 45°C ^[7]. Maintain consistent warmth year-round.
  • Humidity: Keep the nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide a humidity gradient with a dry area and a small moist zone.
  • Diapause: No. This tropical species does not require hibernation or diapause.
  • Nesting: Ground-dwelling species that nests under stones, logs, and rotting wood ^[6]. They also nest opportunistically in dried leaves and other exposed, ephemeral surfaces ^[8]. Use a Y-tong (AAC) nest, plaster nest, or soil nest. Avoid acrylic nests.
• Behavior: Nylanderia steinheili is an omnivorous generalist that forages for liquid carbohydrates and insects ^[7]. They actively attend aphids for honeydew ^[9]. Activity patterns shift with habitat: they share activity rhythms in agricultural land but become primarily nocturnal in forests ^[7]. Workers rarely persist at food sources after competitors arrive, suggesting they lose out in direct competition. Workers do not integrate between nests in most trials, indicating territorial behavior ^[10][11]. Escape risk is high due to their small size. WARNING: Nylanderia steinheili is an invasive species in Florida, the Galápagos Islands, and parts of the West Indies. It is NOT recommended to keep this species in countries where it is not native. If kept, extreme precautions must be taken to prevent any escape, as established invasive populations can cause severe ecological damage. This species should NOT be released under any circumstances.
• Common Issues: invasive species status requires extreme escape prevention and legal compliance, small size makes escape highly likely without fine mesh barriers, sensitive to cold temperatures below 20°C, wild-caught colonies may carry parasites or pathogens, competitive exclusion at feeding sites by larger ant species

Housing and Nest Setup

Nylanderia steinheili nests on the ground under stones, logs, and rotting wood ^[6]. They also use ephemeral sites like dried leaves ^[8]. You should provide a Y-tong (AAC) nest, plaster nest, or soil nest. Keep the substrate slightly moist to match their natural forest and agricultural habitats. Avoid acrylic nests. Provide a humidity gradient so the ants can choose their preferred moisture level. Add hiding spots like small stones or bark to mimic their natural environment.

Feeding and Diet

This species is an omnivorous generalist. They forage for liquid food in agricultural areas and grasslands, but switch to insect prey in forest environments ^[7]. They actively tend aphids, including Toxoptera citricidus on Crescentia cujete in Costa Rica ^[9]. Offer a constant source of sugar water or honey. Provide protein sources like small insects (fruit flies, pinhead crickets, mealworms) two to three times per week. Their adaptability makes them easy to feed in captivity.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Keep Nylanderia steinheili at 24-30°C. This tropical species thrives in warm conditions and tolerates brief exposure to 45°C ^[7]. You do not need to provide a winter diapause period. Maintain consistent warmth year-round. Avoid temperatures below 20°C, as cold stress can harm the colony. A heating cable on one side of the nest creates a temperature gradient for thermoregulation.

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Nylanderia steinheili shows flexible behavior depending on habitat. They share activity patterns in agricultural land but become nocturnal in forests ^[7]. These ants are medium-sized guild foragers and rarely persist at baits after competitors arrive. Workers do not integrate between nests in most trials, which suggests territorial behavior ^[10][11]. They produce pumiliotoxins as a chemical defense, which also serves as a dietary source for poison frogs ^[12][13]. They are not aggressive toward humans and do not pose a sting risk.

Field Notes and Ecological Significance

Nylanderia steinheili is one of the most abundant ant species in the Neotropics ^[13]. They play important ecological roles as prey for poison frogs (Dendrobates pumilio) and blindsnakes (Typhlops platycephalus) ^[12][14]. The species has established populations in Florida and the Galápagos Islands ^[4][6]. In the Galápagos, they occupy gardens, forests, and open areas but are not considered a major threat to native tortoises ^[15]. If you collect this species from the wild, never release them outside their documented range.

Common Challenges

The main challenges involve their small size and specific temperature needs. Workers measure 1.70-2.30 mm, so you must use fine mesh barriers to prevent escapes. As a tropical species, they suffer from cold temperatures below 20°C. Wild-caught colonies may carry parasites or pathogens, so quarantine new colonies. They lose food competitions to larger ant species, so monitor feeding situations carefully. Colony structure remains unconfirmed, so establishing colonies may require patience. ^[10][11][1]

Frequently Asked Questions

Report an Issue

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