Plagiolepis pygmaea

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Easy
• Origin & Habitat: Mediterranean region, found throughout southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Central Asia. Prefers warm, arid areas with low vegetation such as south-facing embankments, garrigue, and dry grasslands. Nests under stones or in rock crevices ^[5][7].
• Colony Type: Highly polygynous (multiple queens per colony) and polydomous (multiple connected nests). Colonies contain up to several hundred queens and 150-5000 workers. Seasonal polydomy: colonies split into multiple nests in spring and merge for winter ^[5][8].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: ~3.4-4.5 mm ^[6]
  • Worker: ~1.6 mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Up to 5000 workers and several hundred queens ^[5]
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Development: 6-8 weeks at optimal temperature ^[9] (Brood production occurs throughout the year except winter, with peak worker production in summer ^[9].)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 20-26°C. This species is thermophilic with a critical thermal maximum around 40°C ^[10]. Provide a temperature gradient so ants can regulate brood temperature.
  • Humidity: Low to moderate. Prefers dry to semi-dry conditions. Nests under stones in well-drained soil. Avoid overly humid conditions to prevent mold ^[7].
  • Diapause: Yes, reduce activity in winter. Colonies merge into fewer nests for overwintering. In colder climates, keep at 10-15°C during dormancy ^[9].
  • Nesting: Use test tubes or small formicariums with tight-fitting lids. Provide thin substrate layers and flat stones for nesting sites. They prefer nesting under stones that absorb solar heat ^[11].
• Behavior: Peaceful and submissive temperament. This is a subordinate species that avoids conflict with other ants. They coexist well with invasive species like the Argentine ant due to non-aggressive behavior ^[12]. Workers forage individually and use group recruitment for food. Main diet is sugary liquids (nectar, honeydew) but they scavenge small insects. They are not aggressive defenders ^[13]. Escape prevention is critical due to tiny size, use fine mesh barriers.
• Common Issues: tiny size means escapes are likely without fine mesh barriers, they can squeeze through small gaps, colonies can be slow to establish due to multiple queens and complex social structure, overheating is a risk, they retreat from high temperatures and may die if unable to escape heat, wild-caught colonies may have parasites including the fungus Myrmicinosporidium durum ^[18], may be overlooked due to small size, difficult to spot and contain

Nest Preferences and Housing

Plagiolepis pygmaea nests in soil under stones, in rock crevices, and sometimes directly in dead wood ^[11]. In captivity, use test tubes with a thin water reservoir or small formicariums with plaster or soil substrates. Provide a shallow, dry nesting area with stones or flat surfaces. Ensure all connections are tight due to tiny size, they can escape through gaps smaller than 1mm. Create a temperature gradient with heating on one side of the nest ^[7].

Feeding and Diet

This species is primarily nectarivorous and omnivorous, with a preference for sugary liquids. They tend aphids for honeydew and visit extrafloral nectaries ^[14]. In captivity, offer sugar water or honey water regularly, along with small insects like fruit flies for protein. They are not strong hunters and prefer scavenging. Feed sugar sources 2-3 times per week and protein once or twice weekly. Remove uneaten food promptly to prevent mold ^[15].

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Keep colonies at 20-26°C for optimal activity. This is a thermophilic species with a critical thermal maximum around 40°C ^[10]. In summer, they may become less active as temperatures rise. In winter, reduce temperature to 10-15°C for dormancy. They are active from spring through autumn, with peak foraging in May-July ^[9].

Colony Structure and Social Organization

Colonies are polygynous with typically 15-30 queens, though some have up to several hundred ^[8]. They are polydomous, forming networks of multiple nests that can span up to 1.7 meters ^[5]. Seasonal polydomy means colonies split in spring and merge for winter. Queens are obligately polyandrous, mating with multiple males ^[16]. This complex structure requires gentle handling to avoid disturbance.

Behavior and Interactions

This is a peaceful, subordinate species that coexists with invasive ants like the Argentine ant ^[12]. They rank among the least dominant species in Mediterranean communities ^[13]. Workers forage individually and use group recruitment. They are important in aphid-ant mutualisms and attend lycaenid butterfly caterpillars. They also act as pollinators in some ecosystems ^[17].

Health and Common Problems

Main concerns are overheating and escape. Provide a cool area within the nest and use fine mesh for barriers. Wild-caught colonies may carry the parasitic fungus Myrmicinosporidium durum, visible through the integument ^[18]. Quarantine new colonies and watch for mold from uneaten food.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References