Pseudomyrmex schuppi

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Expert
• Origin & Habitat: Neotropical region, Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Found in seasonally dry tropical forests, Atlantic forest fragments, and Pantanal floodplains. Arboreal, nesting in Cecropia trees and under epiphytes in forest canopies ^[8][4][2].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is not well documented. Based on related Pseudomyrmex species, probably single-queen (monogyne) colonies, but this is not confirmed in the literature ^[2].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Body length not documented – estimated around 5-6mm based on worker size and genus patterns.
  • Worker: ~4-5 mm – inferred from head width and genus proportions (head width 0.82-0.93mm) ^[1].
  • Colony: Colony size is not well documented. Based on related species and sampling data, likely moderate colonies typical of arboreal Pseudomyrmex ^[9].
  • Growth: Moderate – based on typical Pseudomyrmex development patterns ^[7].
  • Development: 6-10 weeks – estimated based on typical Pseudomyrmecinae development at tropical temperatures. (Development timeline is not specifically documented for this species. Estimates based on genus-level patterns for Pseudomyrmecinae in warm environments.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 24-28°C – these are tropical ants needing warmth. Provide a gradient so workers can choose. Avoid drops below 20°C.
  • Humidity: Moderate to high humidity – they naturally live in forest canopies with good moisture. Keep the nest damp but not waterlogged, and ensure ventilation to avoid mold.
  • Diapause: No – as a tropical species, they do not need hibernation. Keep warm year-round.
  • Nesting: Arboreal nester requiring vertical space. Use Y-tong, plaster, or 3D-printed nests with vertical chambers. Provide cork bark, branches, or natural bark for climbing. Avoid acrylic nests. Ensure excellent ventilation and escape-proof seals.
• Behavior: These ants are arboreal, fast-moving, and will aggressively defend their nest using a painful sting. They are not particularly aggressive away from the nest but will sting if handled. Workers forage along tree branches and trunks. Their small size (~4mm) means they can escape through tiny gaps – extreme escape prevention is required.
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical – use fine mesh (, tropical temperature requirements – they cannot handle cool conditions, keep warm year-round, arboreal nature means they need vertical climbing surfaces, horizontal setups may be rejected, wild-caught colonies may have parasites or fail to adapt to captivity – source from reliable breeders, invasive potential – do not release outside native range, dispose of colonies responsibly, stinging defense – handle with care, sting is painful (like a bee sting) but not medically serious

Natural History and Distribution

Pseudomyrmex schuppi is native to the Neotropical region, with confirmed records in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay ^[1][2]. It prefers forest canopies, nesting in Cecropia trees and under epiphytes ^[2]. In Brazil, researchers found a colony living in a Cecropia pachystachya tree ^[2]. It has been collected from seasonally dry tropical forests in Bahia and Minas Gerais ^[8], as well as from Atlantic forest fragments in the Alto Rio Grande region ^[9]. In the Pantanal floodplain, a single individual was caught during the rainy season ^[4]. This species also shows up in intermediate and late successional dry forests ^[3], and in one study it only appeared in 10-15 year old Atlantic forest patches ^[5]. Urban records exist from Salvador, where it turned up in road medians and squares, but only rarely (3.22% of samples) ^[6]. Ecologically, it seems to prefer established forests but can tolerate some disturbance.

Identification and Morphology

Workers are relatively large for the genus, with a head width (HW) of 0.82-0.93mm and head length (HL) of 0.96-1.18mm ^[1]. The most distinctive features are the high, broad petiole that is smoothly rounded on top when seen from the side, and the raised propodeum that sits higher than the mesonotum. The postpetiole is shifted backward in side view ^[1]. The head is densely punctured and dull, while the middle body (mesosoma) is also dull with fine wrinkles. The whole body has many standing and lying hairs, especially on the top of the middle body. Color is medium to dark brown, with lighter antennae and legs ^[1]. These ants can be told apart from the similar Pseudomyrmex oculatus by the shape of the petiole and differences in eye size ^[2].

Temperature and Care

Since Pseudomyrmex schuppi comes from warm tropical and subtropical forests, they need steady heat in captivity. Keep the nest area at 24-28°C. Create a warm zone on one side so the ants can move to cooler spots if they want. Room temperature (20-22°C) is usually too cool for them to thrive long-term. Use a heating cable or mat on the side or top of the nest – never put it underneath, as that can dry out the nest too much. Watch where the ants gather: if they all crowd in one corner, adjust the heat. These ants do not need a winter cooling period, keep them warm all year so the queen can keep laying eggs.

Housing and Nesting

Pseudomyrmex schuppi is an arboreal ant that naturally lives in tree hollows, under bark, and in epiphytes ^[2]. In captivity, give them vertical space. Avoid acrylic nests, instead use Y-tong (AAC), plaster, or 3D-printed nests with vertical chambers. You can also make a naturalistic setup with large pieces of cork bark or hollow branches. Provide climbing surfaces like cork, bark, or artificial plants so workers can move around. The outworld should include vertical elements and maybe a small branch or plant. Because workers are only about 4-5mm, they can squeeze through tiny gaps. Use very fine mesh (0.5mm or smaller) on all vents and openings. Apply fluon or PTFE barriers to the outworld walls. Seal all joints with silicone to prevent escapes.

Feeding and Diet

Based on what other arboreal Pseudomyrmex eat, Pseudomyrmex schuppi is probably omnivorous. In nature, they likely feed on honeydew from sap-sucking insects like aphids and scale insects, and also hunt small insects for protein. In captivity, offer a sugar solution (sugar water, honey, or maple syrup diluted 1:3) regularly. For protein, give small insects like fruit flies, tiny crickets, or small mealworms. Feed protein 2-3 times a week and remove anything left after 24 hours to prevent mold. Since workers are small, cut prey into small pieces or offer live prey that is appropriately sized. Watch what your colony prefers and adjust accordingly.

Chromosome and Genome Data

Genetic research on Pseudomyrmex schuppi has revealed interesting details. Males have a haploid chromosome number of n=24,with a karyotype formula of K=5M+19A (five metacentrics and nineteen acrocentrics) ^[7]. The species belongs to the oculatus species group, both by chromosomes and body shape ^[7]. Genome size measurements using flow cytometry found a mean 1C-value of 0.38 pg, which is about 371.64 million base pairs – a relatively small genome for ants ^[10]. This supports its placement in the Pseudomyrmecinae subfamily, known for compact genomes ^[10]. While these details are mainly of scientific interest, they show that Pseudomyrmex schuppi is a genetically distinct and well-studied species within its genus.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References