Myrmecina nomurai

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Vietnam (Cao Bang Province and Vinh Phuc Province) at elevations around 900m. They inhabit soil in forested areas and have been recorded in leaf litter extraction samples from urban areas in Macao. ^[1][2]
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed for this species.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, queens have not been described
  • Worker: 2.24-2.34mm total length ^[1]
  • Colony: Maximum colony size is unknown for this species
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unconfirmed (No development data exists for this species.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at stable room temperature in the low-to-mid 20s°C. Being a Vietnamese species, they likely prefer warmer conditions.
  • Humidity: Keep the nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. These soil-nesting ants prefer humid conditions similar to forest floor environments.
  • Diapause: Unlikely, being a tropical Vietnamese species, they probably do not require a true hibernation period.
  • Nesting: Y-tong (AAC) nests or plaster nests work well for these tiny soil-nesters. Provide moist substrate chambers scaled to their small size. Test tubes can work for founding colonies but require careful humidity management.
• Behavior: These ants are very small and relatively docile. Workers forage individually rather than in large trails. Their tiny size means they are excellent escape artists, you must use fine mesh barriers and tight-fitting lids. They likely feed on small insects, honeydew, and nectar like other Myrmecina species.
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical due to their extremely small size, they can squeeze through standard mesh, humidity management can be challenging, too wet causes mold, too dry causes desiccation, slow growth may frustrate keepers expecting rapid development, virtually no species-specific care information exists, much is inference from genus patterns, wild-caught colonies may be difficult to establish due to unknown founding requirements

Housing and Nest Setup

Myrmecina nomurai is a tiny soil-nesting ant that requires careful housing choices. For founding colonies, a test tube setup works well, fill it about one-third with water, plug with cotton, and place the queen inside. The cotton provides humidity while preventing flooding. For established colonies, Y-tong (AAC) nests or plaster nests with moist chambers work best. The chambers should be small and tight-fitting, these ants are only about 2.3mm long and will feel exposed in large open spaces. Provide a connected outworld for foraging. Because of their minute size, use fine mesh on any ventilation holes. Escape prevention is critical, these ants can squeeze through gaps that seem impossible. ^[1]

Feeding and Diet

Like other Myrmecina species, these ants are likely omnivorous with a preference for small protein sources. Offer small live prey such as fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or tiny mealworms. They will also likely accept sugar water or honey. Feed small amounts every few days and remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent mold. Because of their tiny size, prey items should be appropriately sized. Sugar sources should be provided regularly. Remove any moldy food immediately. The exact dietary preferences of this species have not been studied.

Temperature and Humidity

Being a Vietnamese species from around 900m elevation, Myrmecina nomurai likely prefers warm and humid conditions. Keep temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s°C range, this is typical for Southeast Asian Myrmicinae. A heating cable on one side of the nest can create a temperature gradient, allowing workers to self-regulate. Keep the nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. The substrate should feel damp to the touch but not squishy. A water tube connected to the nest helps maintain humidity through evaporation. Avoid both excessive dryness and excessive moisture. ^[1]

Colony Establishment and Growth

This species was only described in 2020,so established captive husbandry practices do not yet exist. Queens have not been described for this species. Do not disturb the queen during founding, stress can cause her to eat her brood or abandon the nest. Keep the setup in a dark, quiet location. ^[1]

Behavior and Temperament

Myrmecina nomurai workers are tiny and relatively docile. They do not have a painful sting, their stingers exist but are too small to penetrate human skin effectively. Workers likely forage individually or in small groups rather than forming large trails. Their very small eyes suggest they may prefer dim conditions. They are not aggressive and will likely flee rather than fight when threatened. The main concern for keepers is their tiny size making them prone to escaping, inspect all connections and use barriers like Fluon on test tube rims. ^[1]

Frequently Asked Questions

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References