Pheidole bessonii

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Madagascar only, found in diverse habitats including Uapaca woodland, montane rainforest, tropical dry forest, savanna, gallery forest, and rainforest at elevations of 30-1732m ^[1].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed, Pheidole species are typically monogyne (single queen), but no specific data exists for P. bessonii.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, inferred from Pheidole genus (~5-7 mm)
  • Worker: Size data unavailable, inferred from Pheidole genus (~2-4 mm for minor workers, majors larger)
  • Colony: Up to a few thousand workers, inferred from Pheidole genus patterns ^[1]
  • Growth: Moderate, inferred from Pheidole patterns ^[1]
  • Development: Estimated 6-8 weeks, inferred from Pheidole patterns at warm temperatures ^[1] (Development time is not directly studied, estimates based on related species.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 22-26°C as a starting point, based on their natural range in Madagascar ^[1].
  • Humidity: Provide moderate to high humidity, keep nest substrate moist but not waterlogged ^[1].
  • Diapause: Unknown if hibernation is required, Madagascar has mild temperatures, so a slight cooling period may be appropriate ^[1].
  • Nesting: In captivity, use test tube setups for founding, then transition to Y-tong or plaster nests. They naturally nest in soil, rotten logs, and under stones ^[1].
• Behavior: Pheidole bessonii is generally calm and not aggressive toward keepers. Like other Pheidole, they have major workers for defense and seed processing. Primary defense is stinging, but it is less medically significant to humans. Workers are active foragers through leaf litter ^[1].
• Common Issues: colonies may fail if humidity drops too low, monitor substrate moisture regularly ^[1], slow founding phase can cause keepers to abandon colonies before workers emerge ^[1], wild-caught colonies may contain parasites that can devastate captive populations ^[1], test tube setups can flood if water reservoirs are overfilled during setup ^[1], major workers develop later than minors, don't be alarmed if early workers are all small ^[1]

Housing and Nest Setup

For founding colonies, a simple test tube setup works well. Fill a test tube with water, plug the end with cotton, and place the queen in the tube. The cotton should be damp but not soaking wet, you want moisture without flooding. Cover the tube with a dark cloth and leave it undisturbed for several weeks until the first workers emerge ^[1]. Once the colony reaches 20-30 workers, you can transition to a more elaborate setup.

For established colonies, Y-tong nests or plaster nests work well. These allow you to control humidity more easily than soil-based setups. If using a naturalistic setup, provide a layer of moist soil or coconut fiber as substrate, with pieces of rotten wood or flat stones as hiding spots. Ensure the outworld is escape-proof, these ants can squeeze through small gaps. A barrier of fluon or petroleum jelly on the rim helps prevent escapes ^[1].

Feeding and Diet

Pheidole bessonii is omnivorous. In captivity, they readily accept protein sources such as small insects (fruit flies, pinhead crickets, mealworms), and they enjoy seeds which their major workers can process. Offer a varied diet: protein every few days, and a constant sugar source like honey water or sugar water ^[1].

Their natural diet includes seeds, insects, and honeydew from aphids. Major workers specialize in seed processing. When feeding seeds, ensure they are small enough or already cracked. Remove any uneaten food after 24-48 hours to prevent mold ^[1].

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Maintain temperatures between 22-26°C for optimal colony development, based on their natural range in Madagascar ^[1]. If your room temperature falls below this, use a heating cable or mat on one side of the nest to create a gradient. Place heating on top to avoid excessive drying.

Regarding diapause: Madagascar has mild year-round temperatures, so this species may not require true hibernation. However, if activity reduces during winter, provide a slight cooling to 18-20°C. Avoid dramatic temperature drops ^[1].

Colony Development and Growth

Pheidole colonies grow through a caste system. The queen lays eggs that develop into minor workers (small, foraging ants) or major workers (soldiers with enlarged heads). Major workers typically appear after the colony is established with 50+ workers ^[1].

The founding phase can be lengthy, queens may take 2-4 weeks to lay eggs, then another 4-8 weeks for eggs to develop into workers. During this time, the queen should not be disturbed. Once workers emerge, the colony can expand rapidly if fed well ^[1].

Behavior and Observation

These ants are calm and not aggressive toward humans. Minor workers handle foraging and brood care, while major workers specialize in seed processing and defense. Primary defense is stinging, but it is less medically significant, they often flee or retreat ^[1].

Observe tandem running behavior during food discovery, one worker leads others to food sources, which is interesting to watch in established colonies ^[1].

Frequently Asked Questions

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References