Tapinoma sahohime

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Native to Japan (Amami Islands) and South Korea, found in southern coastal forests ^[2]. Nests in dead branches of evergreen trees, also in soil and hollow twigs ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Polygynous (multiple queens) and polydomous (multiple nests in multiple branches of a single tree) ^[2]. Queens can be fully winged or brachypterous, with the latter likely mating near the colony and budding to form new polydomous nests ^[2].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, no published measurements for queens.
  • Worker: 1.3mm total length ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, no published data on colony size for this species.
  • Growth: Unknown, no published data, based on related Tapinoma species, likely moderate.
  • Development: Estimated 5-8 weeks at optimal temperature based on typical Tapinoma patterns (Direct development data unavailable for this species, estimate based on general Tapinoma biology.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 22-26°C, they inhabit warm coastal regions ^[2]. A gentle temperature gradient is recommended.
  • Humidity: Provide moderate humidity, keep the nest substrate moist but not waterlogged. Since they nest in dead wood, allow some drying between waterings. Avoid condensation.
  • Diapause: Likely required, South Korean populations experience cold winters. Based on geographic range ^[2], provide 2-3 months of cool storage at 10-15°C during winter.
  • Nesting: Best kept in naturalistic setups with dead wood, branches, or Y-tong/plaster nests. They naturally nest in hollow twigs and dead branches ^[1][2].
• Behavior: Workers are tiny (1.3mm) and fast-moving. They are not aggressive and lack a functional stinger, like all Dolichoderinae, they exude sticky, foul-smelling compounds from an anal gland (smear defense) when threatened. They are arboreal and likely forage on trees. Escape prevention is critical due to their size, they can squeeze through standard test tube cotton. Colonies are polydomous and may establish secondary nests.
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical, tiny 1.3mm workers can squeeze through standard barriers, polydomous nature may lead to colony spreading beyond intended nest space, founding behavior and queen rearing conditions are unconfirmed, making initial care uncertain, likely requires winter diapause, but exact conditions unknown, incorrect handling can stress the colony

Housing and Nest Setup

Tapinoma sahohime naturally nests in dead branches, hollow twigs, and soil ^[1][2]. For captive care, a naturalistic setup with cork, dead wood, or a Y-tong/plaster nest works well. Because they are arboreal, providing vertical space and branches for them to explore is beneficial. The colony is polydomous, meaning they may establish secondary chambers or satellite nests, this is normal behavior and you should not try to prevent it. Use a well-secured outworld as they will explore and may attempt to establish additional nest sites.

Given their tiny 1.3mm size, escape prevention is critical. Standard test tube cotton may not be sufficient, use tight-fitting lids, fluon barriers, and fine mesh on any openings. They can squeeze through gaps that seem impossibly small.

Feeding and Diet

Direct dietary data for Tapinoma sahohime is unavailable. Based on typical ant (especially arboreal Tapinoma) feeding habits, offer sugar sources (honey water, sugar water) regularly and small live prey (fruit flies, pinhead crickets, springtails) for protein. Because they are tiny, prey items must be appropriately sized, even small mealworms may be too large.

In their natural habitat, they forage in trees and likely tend aphids or collect honeydew ^[2]. A varied diet with both sugar and protein is recommended. Remove uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Keep colonies at 22-26°C, reflecting their native warm coastal habitat in Japan and South Korea ^[2]. A slight temperature gradient allows the colony to self-regulate. During summer, room temperature should be suitable.

For winter, South Korean populations experience cold seasons. Based on their temperate range ^[2], provide a winter diapause: 2-3 months of cool storage at 10-15°C. This mimics their natural seasonal cycle. Reduce feeding during this period and ensure the nest remains slightly moist but not wet.

Colony Structure and Reproduction

This species has an unusual colony structure: polygynous (multiple queens) and polydomous (multiple nests spread across different branches of a single tree) ^[2]. This means a single colony can have several egg-laying queens across multiple nest sites.

Alates (reproductives) emerge in July in South Korea ^[2]. Queens can be either fully winged or brachypterous (short-winged). Brachypterous queens are thought to mate near or inside the colony and then bud off to form new polydomous nest sites rather than dispersing through nuptial flights ^[2]. For keepers, this means your colony may naturally split into multiple nest sites, this is normal, not a sign of colony failure.

Identification and Similar Species

Tapinoma sahohime is the only yellow Tapinoma species in South Korea, which aids identification ^[2]. It was formerly identified as Ravavy indicus in Japan but can be separated by its smaller size and yellow coloration ^[1]. Workers are extremely small (1.3mm total length) with very small eyes (only 6 facets in the longest row) and a relatively long head (1.14 times longer than wide) ^[1]. The antennal scape is short, just reaching the posterior margin of the head ^[1].

The small eyes are a key feature, they are always shorter than the distance from the eye to the anterior clypeal margin, which distinguishes this species from the ghost ant (Tapinoma melanocephalum) ^[2]. Phylogenomic analysis places Tapinoma sahohime in a clade with Ravavy indicus ^[3].

Frequently Asked Questions

Report an Issue

The current care sheet is based fully on literature. See inconsistencies, or something that's incorrect? Please report here, it will be resolved after review from an admin. Contributing to the blogs tab also helps providing information, to make us be able to further improve the caresheets. Thank you for your support!

References