Paratrachymyrmex intermedius

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Native to Central America and northern South America, found in Belize, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico (including Hidalgo, Oaxaca, Tabasco, and Veracruz states) ^[1][6]. They occur in wet forests and have been recorded in dry forests and agroforestry systems ^[7][8]. This is a tropical species from the Neoattine clade that evolved in wet forest environments ^[9].
• Colony Type: Based on Paratrachymyrmex patterns, likely monogyne (single queen colonies). Founding behavior involves a queen carrying a fungal fragment to start a new garden.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, no total length measurements in context
  • Worker: ~4-6mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Maximum colony size unknown, no specific data available
  • Growth: Moderate, limited by fungal growth
  • Development: Unknown, no specific data available (Development is tied to fungal establishment, growth may be slower than typical ants)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep warm, roughly 24-28°C, inferred from tropical wet forest habitat ^[2]. Use a heating cable on one side to create a gradient.
  • Humidity: Keep humidity high, as they are from wet forests ^[2]. Maintain moist substrate without waterlogging, using a water reservoir if possible.
  • Diapause: No, tropical species do not require hibernation ^[2].
  • Nesting: Use Y-tong, plaster, or soil nests that maintain humidity. Provide a small outworld for foraging. Ensure ventilation to prevent mold.
• Behavior: Based on genus patterns, typically calm and non-aggressive. Workers forage for organic debris and tend the fungal garden. Escape risk is moderate, use standard barriers.
• Common Issues: fungal death is the primary risk, if the fungus dies, the colony starves ^[2]., starting a colony requires a fungal fragment from an established colony, you cannot start from just a queen ^[2]., high humidity can lead to mold if ventilation is inadequate., slow growth may frustrate keepers due to fungal cultivation requirements., wild-caught colonies may carry Escovopsis fungal parasites that can kill the garden ^[2].

The Ant-Fungus Relationship

Paratrachymyrmex intermedius is a fungus-farming ant in the tribe Attini. Workers do not eat food directly, they cultivate a fungal garden for nutrition. Workers forage for organic debris like dead leaves or insect parts and feed it to the fungus, which produces nutrient-rich structures called gongylidia that the ants eat ^[2].

This species can cultivate both Leucoagaricus gongylophorus and clade B fungi, sometimes in nearby nests ^[5]. The fungus is vulnerable to parasites like Escovopsis, so keeping the garden clean is essential in captivity ^[2].

Housing and Nest Setup

Use a nest that holds humidity well, such as Y-tong, plaster, or soil nests. Connect a small outworld for foraging. The fungus chamber needs a substrate like moist cotton or soil for the fungal fragment to establish. Ensure ventilation to prevent mold while maintaining humidity. Standard Fluon barriers are sufficient for escape prevention.

Feeding Your Colony

Feed the fungus, not the ants directly. Offer small pieces of organic matter like fruit scraps, dead leaves, or crushed insects. Remove uneaten food before it molds. Fresh water should always be available, such as in a test tube with a cotton plug ^[2].

Temperature and Humidity

As a tropical species from wet forests, keep temperatures warm, roughly 24-28°C, with a gradient using a heating cable ^[2]. Humidity is critical, keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged, as the fungus needs consistent moisture ^[2]. Balance humidity with ventilation to avoid mold.

Colony Founding

Starting a colony is challenging because queens need a fungal fragment from their mother colony to start a new garden ^[2]. You cannot found a colony from a lone queen. If you obtain a queen with fungus, keep her in a humid setup and offer tiny organic pieces once workers emerge. Growth is slow initially as the fungus establishes.

Common Problems

Fungal death is the biggest threat, prevent it by maintaining consistent humidity, removing moldy food, and avoiding temperature extremes ^[2]. Mold from uneaten food is a major risk, so clean the outworld regularly. Escovopsis parasites can infect wild-caught colonies, so quarantine new colonies ^[2]. Slow growth is normal due to fungal cultivation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References