Polyrhachis jerdonii

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Endemic to Sri Lanka, found only in the wet zone ^[3]. They nest arboreally in trees and shrubs, using silk ^[2].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed for P. jerdonii.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable
  • Worker: Up to 5.29 mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unconfirmed, based on related Polyrhachis species, likely 6-8 weeks at tropical temperatures (No specific development data, tropical conditions may accelerate growth.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep warm, roughly 24-28°C, based on tropical habitat ^[3].
  • Humidity: Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, based on wet zone distribution ^[3].
  • Diapause: No, as a tropical species from Sri Lanka ^[3].
  • Nesting: Arboreal setup required, using silk for nest construction ^[2].
• Behavior: Polyrhachis jerdonii is generally peaceful and non-aggressive. They use formic acid spray for defense, as typical for Formicinae ants. Workers are excellent climbers and forage actively. Their small size requires careful escape prevention.
• Common Issues: limited availability, this species is rarely available in the antkeeping hobby due to its restricted range, escape risk, small size requires fine mesh barriers and secure enclosures, arboreal setup complexity, they need vertical space and silk-nesting materials, which is more involved than ground-nesting setups, humidity management, maintaining proper humidity without causing mold requires attention, lack of species-specific care data, most care recommendations are inferred from related species

Housing and Nest Setup

Polyrhachis jerdonii requires an arboreal-style setup since they naturally nest in trees and shrubs. You need vertical space and materials for silk nest construction. Use a naturalistic setup with live or artificial plants, branches, or cork bark. A Y-tong formicarium with added vertical elements works well. Ensure all connections are tight-fitting to prevent escapes due to their small size ^[1]. Provide a water source and maintain humidity through occasional misting.

Feeding and Diet

Specific diet data is unavailable for P. jerdonii. Based on related Polyrhachis species, they are likely omnivorous. Offer sugar sources like honey water constantly, and protein such as fruit flies or small insects several times a week. Remove uneaten food after 24 hours to maintain hygiene.

Temperature and Humidity

Maintain temperatures around 24-28°C with minimal fluctuations. A heating gradient can be provided using a cable on one side of the nest. For humidity, keep the nest substrate moist but not waterlogged, as they are from Sri Lanka's wet zone ^[3]. Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent mold.

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

This species is part of the Myrmhopla subgenus, known for silk-nesting behavior ^[2]. Workers cooperate to spin silk for nest construction. They are diurnal foragers and generally non-aggressive, using formic acid spray for defense. Colonies are likely small, and workers are excellent climbers ^[1]. Avoid housing with predatory insects due to their small size.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References