Tetheamyrma bidentata

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Hard
• Origin & Habitat: Philippines (Luzon, Mindanao, Samar). Found in leaf litter in good secondary and primary forest at elevations 170-1300 m ^[1].
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed colony structure. Only two species are known in this genus, both recently described. Colony size in the wild is unknown.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: size data unavailable
  • Worker: size data unavailable
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony size data available
  • Growth: Unknown, no development data available
  • Development: Estimated 6-10 weeks based on typical Myrmicinae development at tropical temperatures. This is an educated guess since no specific data exists for this species. (No direct measurements exist. Estimate based on patterns for small tropical Myrmicinae.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at room temperature (22-26°C). The species comes from tropical Philippine elevations where temperatures are warm year-round. Avoid temperatures below 20°C. No specific temperature data is available.
  • Humidity: High humidity required, these are forest floor ants from humid tropical environments. Keep the nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide a water tube at all times.
  • Diapause: No, this is a tropical species from the Philippines with no cold tolerance requirement. They do not need hibernation.
  • Nesting: Y‑tong (AAC) nests or plaster nests work well for these tiny ants. The chambers should be small and tight-fitting. They prefer dark, humid conditions similar to their leaf litter habitat.
• Behavior: These are tiny, secretive ants that likely live in small colonies in forest floor habitats. They have a functional sting ^[1] and belong to a tribe (Crematogastrini) known for smearing venom rather than piercing, but the sting is still simple and functional. Given their minute size, the sting effect on humans would be minimal. They are not aggressive and will likely flee from disturbance. Escape prevention is critical due to their very small size, they can squeeze through standard barrier gels and need fine mesh or liquid barriers. They are likely nocturnal or crepuscular foragers.
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical, they are tiny and can squeeze through the smallest gaps., no captive care information exists, this is a newly described species from 2018., colony size unknown, expect small colonies based on their tiny size and leaf litter habitat., humidity management is key, too dry and they will die, too wet causes mold., wild-caught colonies may have parasites or diseases since no captive breeding lines exist.

Housing and Nest Setup

For these tiny ants, a Y‑tong (AAC) nest or plaster nest works best. The chambers should be small and tight-fitting, larger chambers will stress them. They prefer dark, humid conditions, so cover the nest with an opaque cover. Use a test tube attached to the nest for water access. Because they are so small, escape prevention is critical: use fluon (liquid PTFE) on all rim edges and fine mesh (at least 0.5 mm) on any ventilation holes. Standard barrier gels will not contain them. The outworld should be simple, a small container works given their tiny size and likely small colony size. Keep the entire setup in a warm, humid location away from direct sunlight. These recommendations are general and not based on specific literature for this species.

Feeding and Diet

The diet of Tetheamyrma bidentata has not been studied. As a Myrmicinae species, it likely accepts small protein sources like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, and other tiny arthropods. Offer small live prey items that are appropriately sized. Sugar sources like honey water or sugar water may be accepted, offer these occasionally and observe. Given its small size and recent description, be prepared to experiment with what they accept. Remove uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold. No direct dietary data is available.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Keep these ants at 22-26°C year‑round. They come from tropical Philippine elevations (170-1300 m) where temperatures are warm throughout the year ^[1]. They do not require hibernation or any cooling period. Avoid any temperature drops below 20°C, this could be fatal. A small heating cable on one side of the nest can help maintain warmth if your room temperature runs cool, but ensure the nest doesn't dry out. Room temperature in most homes (22-24°C) should be suitable. Monitor humidity closely when using heat, as it dries out the nest.

Humidity Management

These forest floor ants need high humidity. Keep the nest substrate consistently moist, it should feel damp but not have standing water. A water tube connected to the nest provides a constant moisture source. Check the nest regularly and rehydrate when the surface starts drying. Too much dryness will kill them quickly. However, avoid excessive moisture that causes condensation pooling or mold growth. The key is balance: damp but not soggy, with some drier areas available if they choose to move. Good ventilation helps prevent mold while maintaining humidity. These recommendations are based on their leaf litter habitat ^[1].

Behavior and Handling

Tetheamyrma bidentata has a functional sting ^[1] and belongs to the tribe Crematogastrini, which typically uses a smearing defense. Given their minute size (head width ~0.4-0.5 mm), any sting would be very mild, comparable to a mosquito bite at most. They are not aggressive and will likely retreat when disturbed. Their small size and secretive nature suggest they are nocturnal or crepuscular foragers, hunting small prey in the leaf litter layer. In captivity, they will likely remain hidden in their nest chambers most of the time, emerging briefly to collect food. The most important behavioral consideration is escape prevention, these ants are so small they can slip through gaps invisible to the naked eye.

Colony Establishment

Since this species was only described in 2018,there are no established captive breeding lines. Wild‑caught colonies are your only option, and they may be difficult to find. If you obtain a wild colony, watch for parasites or diseases that can affect newly collected ants. The founding process is unconfirmed, we don't know if the queen seals herself in (claustral) or must forage during founding (semi‑claustral). Based on typical Myrmicinae patterns, claustral founding is likely, but this is an educated guess. Expect slow growth given the tiny size of the workers and queen.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References