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

Polyrhachis cognata

Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Polyrhachis cognata
Subgenus
Myrma
Tribe
Camponotini
Subfamily
Formicinae
Author
Kohout, 2008
Distribution
Found in 1 countries

Introduction

Polyrhachis cognata is a medium to large ant species endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia . Workers have a total length of approximately 14 mm . They have a black body with dark reddish-brown legs and rusty-red pubescence combined with long black and brown hairs . This species belongs to the vestita species-group within the subgenus Myrma, distinguished by long pronotal spines and a scale-like petiole . The biology of Polyrhachis cognata is largely unknown, with no documented captive care data. Distribution is limited to Sulawesi , and nesting habits are unconfirmed.

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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: Sulawesi, Indonesia, tropical island environment [1][2]
  • Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed. Most Polyrhachis species are monogyne (single queen), but this has not been documented for P. cognata specifically.
  • Size & Growth:
    • Queen: Size data unavailable
    • Worker: ~14 mm [1]
    • Colony: Unknown
    • Growth: Moderate
    • Development: Unknown, no species-specific data (Development timeline is unconfirmed for this species.)
  • Antkeeping:
    • Temperature: Based on tropical habitat, keep warm around 24-28°C [1]
    • Humidity: High humidity preferred, Sulawesi is tropical [1][2]. Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged.
    • Diapause: No, tropical species do not require diapause [1]
    • Nesting: Unconfirmed for this species.
  • Behavior: Behavior is unstudied in captivity. Based on genus patterns, expect active foragers with moderate aggression. Escape risk is moderate due to large size.
  • Common Issues: lack of species-specific biology data means care is based on genus inference., tropical warmth requirements year-round can be challenging in cooler climates., no documented diet acceptance, experimental feeding may be needed., wild-caught colonies may have parasites or disease not yet understood., slow colony growth requires patience, large ants often take months to establish.

Morphology and Identification

Polyrhachis cognata is a member of the vestita-group, with workers having a total length of approximately 14 mm [1]. They have long pronotal spines, a scale-like petiole, and rusty-red pubescence [1]. This species is similar to P. ogatai and P. vanachterbergi but differs in size and spine length [1].

Distribution and Habitat

Polyrhachis cognata is endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia [1][2]. The vestita-group is apparently endemic to Sulawesi [1].

Care Recommendations

No specific care data exists for P. cognata. Based on its tropical habitat, keep temperatures around 24-28°C and high humidity [1]. Provide a nest with a moisture gradient and climbing structures, as inferred from related Polyrhachis species [1].

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distribution of Polyrhachis cognata?

Polyrhachis cognata is endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia [2].

What temperature is best for Polyrhachis cognata?

Based on its tropical habitat, keep nest temperatures between 24-28°C [1].

Do Polyrhachis cognata ants need hibernation?

No, being a tropical species from Sulawesi, they do not require diapause [1].

How big are Polyrhachis cognata workers?

Workers have a total length of approximately 14 mm [1].

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References

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This caresheet is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 .