Protanilla lini

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Expert
• Origin & Habitat: Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands (Japan), Fujian and Hong Kong (China), natural and seminatural forests above 600 m altitude, Machilus-Castanopsis forest zones ^[4][3]
• Colony Type: Colonies are usually monogyne (single queen), but polygynous colonies with up to 3 dealate queens have also been found ^[5][3]
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: ~2.9 mm total length – similar in size to workers
  • Worker: ~2.5–2.9 mm total length ^[1][2]
  • Colony: Up to around 100 workers ^[4]
  • Growth: Moderate – continuous brood development with larvae of different instars present simultaneously ^[4]
  • Development: Unknown – no specific data available (Related Leptanilla species suggest 4–8 weeks, but this is unconfirmed for P. lini)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: 22–26°C – based on subtropical distribution, adjust if activity slows
  • Humidity: High – keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, they naturally nest in decaying wood and soil ^[4]
  • Diapause: Likely not required – subtropical origin, but reduce feeding if activity drops in cool months
  • Nesting: Provide a dark, humid nest with narrow chambers – Y-tong, plaster, or soil nests work well. They naturally inhabit cavities in fallen branches or soil under decaying wood ^[4][3]
• Behavior: Workers are trap-jaw ambush predators. They open mandibles 180° and snap them shut on centipedes, then sting to paralyze ^[4]. They guard nest entrances with mandibles locked open. When disturbed, they will snap aggressively and deliver powerful stings lasting up to 20 minutes ^[3]. Some colonies produce a strong, distinct odor when disturbed – possibly from adult poison or larval secretions ^[4]. Others show no noticeable smell ^[3]. Escape risk is moderate due to small size – use barrier precautions.
• Common Issues: Specialized diet – they require live centipedes (especially geophilomorphs 3–4 cm) and may refuse other prey ^[4][6], High humidity needed – dry conditions quickly lead to colony decline, Strong odor in some colonies – ensure ventilation, Painful stings – avoid direct contact during maintenance, Small colony size limits food consumption, overfeeding can cause mold, Wild-caught colonies may have parasites or fail to adapt to captivity

Housing and Nest Setup

Protanilla lini requires a dark, humid environment that mimics their natural habitat in decaying wood and soil. They nest in cavities inside fallen branches or under logs buried in soil ^[4][3]. In captivity, use a Y-tong, plaster, or soil nest with narrow chambers. Test tubes can work if kept in a humid enclosure, but they are hard to maintain humidity. Key is to keep the substrate consistently moist – a gradient with a wet area and a slightly drier area lets ants self-regulate. Always provide a dark cover, as these subterranean ants avoid light.

Feeding and Diet – The Critical Challenge

This is the hardest part of keeping P. lini. They are specialized centipede predators. In captivity, they strongly prefer geophilomorph centipedes about 3–4 cm long ^[4]. They will also accept other centipede types (lithobiomorph, scolopendromorph) and sometimes cockroaches or isopods ^[6][3]. However, they show no interest in termites or isopods ^[3]. When hunting, workers snap their mandibles onto the centipede, sting it to paralyze, then carry it to the nest where larvae attach and feed ^[4]. You must have a steady supply of live centipedes – this makes the species unsuitable for most keepers. Overfeeding can cause mold, so remove uneaten prey after a day.

Temperature and Humidity

As a subtropical forest species, they need warm, stable temperatures between 22–26°C. Avoid sudden drops – if activity slows, warm the nest slightly. Humidity is critical: keep the nest substrate moist but not soggy. A plaster or soil nest with a regular watering schedule works well. If the nest dries out, workers will struggle. Aim for a gradient with one side wetter. Use a lid or cling film to reduce evaporation. ^[4]

Trap-jaw Behavior and Defense

P. lini has a rapid trap-jaw strike: workers open their mandibles 180º and snap them shut on prey or threats ^[4]. Unlike linear-mandibled trap-jaw ants, their mandibles are triangular but still generate a powerful snap. They also guard nest entrances with mandibles locked open ^[4]. When disturbed, they will snap at you and deliver a sting that can last over 20 minutes ^[3]. Some colonies produce a strong odor, possibly a chemical defense from adults or larvae ^[4], but other colonies show no obvious smell ^[3].

Colony Structure and Growth

Most colonies have a single queen (monogyne), but colonies with up to 3 dealate queens (polygynous) have also been found ^[5][3]. Colony size is small, up to about 100 workers ^[4]. Larvae of different sizes are present at the same time, indicating that brood development is continuous rather than synchronized ^[4]. Queens are similar to workers in size and are wingless (dealate) once mated.

Seasonal Care and Overwintering

Given their subtropical distribution, P. lini likely does not require a cold diapause. Maintain them year-round at 22–26°C. If temperatures drop in winter, activity may slow, but they should not be placed in full hibernation. Reduce feeding slightly during cool periods. Avoid sudden temperature changes. ^[4]

Frequently Asked Questions

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References