Temnothorax gredosi

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Easy
• Origin & Habitat: Mountain regions of the Iberian Peninsula, Andorra, and the French Pyrenees. Found from 248m to 1,800m elevation, with strong preference for Montane and Subalpine zones (900-1,500m). Habitats range from open, sun-exposed crests to light beech forest understory, always on northern slopes ^{[1][6][7][8][4]}.
• Colony Type: Monogyne (single queen) colonies with several tens of workers ^[1]. Mating occurs inside the nest, mated winged females stay in the mother colony over winter and leave in spring to found new colonies independently.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: ~3-4mm (inferred from genus patterns, no direct data)
  • Worker: 2.5-3mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Several tens of workers (up to about 50-100) ^[1]
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Development: Estimated 6-10 weeks (based on typical Temnothorax development) (Development time inferred from genus-level data, specific timing for this species has not been directly studied.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Unknown but likely room temperature (18-24°C) suits this mountain species. Provide a slight gradient for the ants to choose. Avoid prolonged heat above 28°C.
  • Humidity: Moderate, keep the nest substrate consistently damp but not waterlogged. Allow slight drying between waterings to mimic natural soil moisture cycles.
  • Diapause: Yes, winter dormancy is essential. Reduce feeding and keep the colony at 5-10°C for 2-3 months during winter, typically November-February ^[1][6].
  • Nesting: Nests in soil, under stones, or under bark of living trees ^[1][5]. In captivity, use a Y-tong (AAC), plaster, or soil nest with small, tight chambers. Avoid large open spaces.
• Behavior: Peaceful and non‑aggressive. Workers are tiny and active, foraging for honeydew and small insects. They rarely sting humans, their sting is modified for smearing venom (a trait of the Crematogastrini tribe). Escape risk is high due to their small size, use fine mesh (≤0.5mm) on all openings. Colonies remain modest and are unlikely to overwhelm a setup.
• Common Issues: tiny workers can squeeze through tiny gaps, use fine mesh and seal all connections, colonies may fail without proper winter diapause (2-3 months at 5-10°C), wild‑caught colonies may carry the social parasite Myrmoxenus bernardi, watch for smaller, darker ants, slow colony growth requires patience, colonies only reach a few dozen workers

Housing and Nest Setup

Because Temnothorax gredosi is tiny, its nest must have tight, narrow chambers, they feel exposed in large spaces. A Y‑tong (AAC) or plaster formicarium works well, as does a naturalistic setup with a shallow soil layer and flat stones on top for cover ^[1]. The species naturally nests in soil, under stones, or under the bark of living trees ^[5]. Provide a thin layer of substrate they can tunnel through, kept moderately moist. Escape prevention is critical: use fine mesh (≤0.5mm) on all ventilation and seal every joint. A small outworld for foraging completes the setup.

Feeding and Diet

Like most Temnothorax, these ants accept both sugars and proteins. Offer sugar water or diluted honey as a constant energy source. For protein, provide small live prey like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or tiny mealworm pieces. They also collect honeydew if available. Feed small amounts 2‑3 times a week, removing uneaten protein within 24 hours to prevent mold. Because colonies are small (tens of workers), start with tiny portions and adjust.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

This mountain species prefers cooler conditions than many ants. Keep the nest at room temperature (18‑24°C), with a slight gradient if possible. Avoid prolonged heat above 28°C. Winter diapause is essential: reduce feeding and move the colony to a cool location (5‑10°C) for 2‑3 months, typically November-February. Without proper dormancy, colonies become stressed and may fail to produce new brood ^[1][6].

Colony Development and Reproduction

Colonies are monogyne, housing a single queen. Mating occurs inside the nest, and winged females overwinter in the mother colony before dispersing in spring to found new colonies independently ^[1]. Nuptial flights have been observed in June-July ^[6]. Colony growth is slow, typically only reaching a few dozen workers. The first workers (nanitics) will be smaller than mature workers and may take 6‑10 weeks to emerge from eggs at optimal temperatures.

Behavior and Temperament

Temnothorax gredosi is a peaceful, non‑aggressive species. Workers flee rather than fight when disturbed. They belong to the tribe Crematogastrini, which uses a flattened, spatulate stinger to smear venom onto enemies rather than piercing flesh, but they are harmless to humans. Their tiny size makes them excellent escape artists, check barriers regularly. They forage actively and recruit nestmates via tandem running. Colonies stay modest and are ideal for keepers who prefer compact setups. ^[1]

Ecological Notes

This species is a known host for the social parasite Myrmoxenus bernardi (formerly Temnothorax bernardi), which lives permanently inside T. gredosi colonies and uses host workers to raise its own brood ^[1][9]. If you collect colonies from the wild in Spain or Andorra, watch for smaller, darker ants that may be the parasite. Captive‑bred colonies from parasite‑free sources are recommended to avoid this complication.

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