Pheidole bambusarum

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Southern Brazil (Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo) and north-central Argentina (Misiones), nesting in hollow bamboos in forests ^[1][2][3].
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed, based on Pheidole genus patterns, likely single-queen colonies.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, no total length measurements provided.
  • Worker: Size data unavailable, no total length measurements provided.
  • Colony: Up to several hundred workers.
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Development: Estimated 6-8 weeks at 25-28°C. (Development time is inferred from typical Pheidole genus patterns.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep warm, around 24-28°C.
  • Humidity: Keep nest substrate moist but not waterlogged.
  • Diapause: No, tropical species do not require hibernation.
  • Nesting: Prefer enclosed spaces like hollow bamboo. Start with test tubes, then move to Y-tong or plaster nests with tight chambers. Avoid acrylic nests.
• Behavior: Generalist foragers assigned to the Generalized Myrmicinae functional group ^[3]. Moderately active with typical Pheidole behavior, escape risk is moderate due to size.
• Common Issues: humidity control can be tricky, too wet causes mold, too dry causes desiccation., temperatures below 20°C can slow colony development significantly., major workers may take time to appear, this is normal for Pheidole colonies., ensure proper escape barriers as the colony grows to prevent escapes.

Housing and Nest Setup

Pheidole bambusarum naturally nests inside hollow bamboo stems, so your setup should mimic this tight, enclosed environment. For founding colonies, a standard test tube setup works well. Once the colony reaches 20-30 workers, transition to a Y-tong or plaster nest with appropriately sized chambers. Avoid acrylic nests, instead, use materials that retain moisture well. Provide a small outworld connected to the nest for foraging ^[1].

Feeding and Diet

Pheidole bambusarum is a generalist omnivore. Offer protein sources like small insects 2-3 times per week and a constant sugar supply like honey water. Remove uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold ^[3].

Temperature and Seasonal Care

As a tropical species, keep temperatures around 24-28°C. Use a heating cable on one side of the nest to create a gradient if room temperature is too low. Avoid prolonged temperatures below 20°C.

Colony Development and Castes

The first workers are typically minors that the queen raises alone. Major workers appear once the colony reaches several dozen workers. Colony growth is moderate, with majors serving as defenders and food processors.

Behavior and Observation

Workers are active foragers that recruit nestmates to food sources. The species is in the Generalized Myrmicinae group, indicating balanced behavior without extreme aggression ^[3]. Major workers use their enlarged heads for defense and processing larger food items.

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