Scientific illustration of Polyrhachis castaneiventris ant - showing key identification features including head, thorax, and gaster.

Polyrhachis castaneiventris

Monogynous Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Polyrhachis castaneiventris
Tribe
Camponotini
Subfamily
Formicinae
Author
Smith, 1858
Distribution
Found in 0 countries

Introduction

Polyrhachis castaneiventris is a medium-sized ant from the Indomalaya region, described from Borneo. Queens measure approximately 7.9 mm with a chestnut-colored thorax covered in grayish pubescence . It belongs to the subgenus Myrmhopla, known for silk-spinning behaviors . This species inhabits tropical rainforests of Borneo, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore . As an arboreal species, it nests in elevated locations and lacks a stinger but can defend itself by spraying formic acid.

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Status by country, from Kass et al. 2022 & Wong et al. 2023

Native Invasive Introduced (indoor) Intercepted Unknown
Data Sources
Year Range 2000 - 2026

Quick Summary

  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Origin & Habitat: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, tropical rainforest regions of Southeast Asia [3][4][2]
  • Colony Type: Unconfirmed, no specific data on queen number
  • Size & Growth:
    • Queen: ~7.9 mm [1]
    • Worker: Size data unavailable
    • Colony: Unknown
    • Growth: Moderate
    • Development: Unknown, no data on development time (Development time is not documented for this species.)
  • Antkeeping:
    • Temperature: Keep warm, roughly 24-28°C, based on tropical habitat [2]
    • Humidity: Maintain moderate to high humidity, keep nest substrate moist but not waterlogged [2]
    • Diapause: No, tropical species do not require hibernation [2]
    • Nesting: Arboreal setup preferred, such as Y-tong nest with horizontal chambers [2]
  • Behavior: Polyrhachis castaneiventris is generally calm and not aggressive. As Formicinae, they lack a stinger but can spray formic acid for defense [2]. Workers are medium-sized and arboreal, so ensure vertical climbing structures in the enclosure. Escape risk is standard for medium-sized ants.
  • Common Issues: maintaining warm temperatures is essential to prevent colony decline, low humidity can cause brood death and worker desiccation, arboreal nature requires vertical setup, ground-level areas may be underutilized, limited information on captive behavior may lead to unexpected issues, test tube setups are not ideal, prefer elevated nests

Housing and Nest Setup

Set up an arboreal nest for Polyrhachis castaneiventris. Use a Y-tong nest with horizontal chambers or a naturalistic setup with branches and leaves. Ensure vertical surfaces for climbing, as these ants prefer elevated nesting sites [2].

Feeding and Diet

Offer sugar water, honey, or diluted nectar for carbohydrates, and small insects like fruit flies for protein. Feed every 2-3 days, removing uneaten prey to prevent mold [2].

Temperature and Humidity

Keep temperatures between 24-28°C year-round. Maintain moderate to high humidity by misting the outworld and keeping the nest substrate slightly moist [2].

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Workers are calm and arboreal. They defend by spraying formic acid [2]. Colony growth is moderate, and they are active during daylight hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for Polyrhachis castaneiventris to produce first workers?

No specific data is available for this species. Based on genus patterns, development may take several weeks, but exact timing is unknown [2].

What temperature do Polyrhachis castaneiventris need?

Keep them at 24-28°C year-round, as they are tropical ants [2].

Can I keep multiple queens together?

This is not recommended, as colony structure is unconfirmed and unrelated queens may fight [2].

What do Polyrhachis castaneiventris eat?

They are omnivorous, accepting sugar water, honey, and small insects like fruit flies [2].

Do they need hibernation?

No, as a tropical species, they do not require hibernation [2].

Are Polyrhachis castaneiventris good for beginners?

They are rated medium difficulty due to tropical temperature and humidity requirements [2].

What size colony do they reach?

Colony size is unknown for this species [2].

What type of nest is best for this species?

An arboreal-style setup, such as a Y-tong nest with horizontal chambers, is best [2].

Why are my ants not using the ground area?

This is normal, as Polyrhachis are arboreal and prefer elevated surfaces [2].

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References

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This caresheet is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 .