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

Protanilla jongi

Monogynous Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Protanilla jongi
Tribe
Leptanillini
Subfamily
Leptanillinae
Author
Hsu <i>et al.</i>, 2017
Distribution
Found in 1 countries
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Introduction

Protanilla jongi is a trap-jaw ant native to central Taiwan, found at elevations around 840 meters in tea gardens near secondary forests . Workers are blind and very small, but exact body size is unknown . Queens are slightly darker brown . This species has a trap-jaw mechanism, allowing workers to open mandibles 180 degrees for hunting . They are extreme specialists, feeding only on geophilomorph centipedes .

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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: Expert
  • Origin & Habitat: Central Taiwan (Nantou) at 840m altitude in tea garden near secondary forest. Nesting chamber in soil at approximately 20cm depth, covered by a stone [1].
  • Colony Type: Single-queen colony observed in laboratory, but social structure unconfirmed [1].
  • Size & Growth:
    • Queen: size data unavailable
    • Worker: size data unavailable
    • Colony: Up to 25 workers [1]
    • Growth: Slow
    • Development: Unknown, no development data available (No specific data on development timeline.)
  • Antkeeping:
    • Temperature: Unknown, no specific data available.
    • Humidity: Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, based on their soil-nesting habitat [1].
    • Diapause: Unknown, no documented diapause behavior.
    • Nesting: Soil-nesting species. Natural nesting chamber at 20cm depth in soil under stone [1]. In captivity, provide deep, moist soil or a plaster nest with moisture reservoir.
  • Behavior: Workers are specialized predators with trap-jaw mandibles that open 180 degrees [1]. They guard nest entrances with mandibles locked in striking position [1]. Colony produces a strong odor [1]. Escape prevention is critical due to small size.
  • Common Issues: extreme prey specialization makes feeding difficult, they only accept certain centipedes [1]., small size means escapes are likely without fine mesh barriers., strong odor may be unpleasant in enclosed spaces [1]., slow colony growth requires patience., no available information on founding behavior or development timeline makes captive breeding challenging.

Housing and Nest Setup

Protanilla jongi is a soil-nesting ant that requires deep, humid substrate. In the wild, colonies nest about 20cm below the surface in chambers under stones [1]. For captivity, create a naturalistic setup with at least 10-15cm of moist soil or use a plaster nest with a water reservoir to maintain humidity [1]. Because workers are tiny, escape prevention must be excellent, use tight-fitting lids and fine mesh on any ventilation holes.

Feeding and Diet

This species has extreme prey specialization: they only accept geophilomorph centipedes approximately 3-4cm in length [1]. All other prey types are rejected [1]. You will need a reliable source of live geophilomorph centipedes.

Trap-Jaw Hunting Behavior

Workers can open their mandibles to 180 degrees and snap them shut during predatory interactions [1]. They grab centipede appendages with mandibles and sting to paralyze prey [1]. Workers guard nest entrances with mandibles locked in striking position [1].

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Specific temperature requirements are not documented. Aim for moderate temperatures based on their habitat, but observation of colony activity is the best guide [1]. No documented diapause requirement exists.

Colony Dynamics and Odor

The studied colony had up to 25 workers and one dealated queen [1]. Colonies are likely small. A strong, distinct odor is produced by the colony [1].

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Protanilla jongi ants eat?

They only eat live geophilomorph centipedes approximately 3-4cm in length. All other prey is rejected [1].

How long does it take for Protanilla jongi to develop from egg to worker?

This is unknown, no development data exists for this species.

Can I keep Protanilla jongi in a test tube setup?

A test tube is not ideal. This is a soil-nesting species that requires deep, moist substrate [1].

Do Protanilla jongi ants sting?

Yes, workers have a long sting used to paralyze prey [1].

Are Protanilla jongi good for beginners?

No, this is an expert-level species due to extreme prey specialization and small size.

How big do Protanilla jongi colonies get?

Based on studied colony, up to 25 workers [1].

Do Protanilla jongi need hibernation?

Unknown, no documented diapause behavior.

Why are my Protanilla jongi dying?

Most likely causes: wrong prey, improper humidity, or temperature issues. Also check for escape due to small size [1].

Can I keep multiple Protanilla jongi queens together?

Not recommended, the studied colony had a single queen [1].

What makes Protanilla jongi unique compared to other ants?

They have a trap-jaw mechanism for hunting, are extreme specialists feeding only on centipedes, and produce a noticeable colony odor [1].

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References

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This caresheet is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 .