Polyrhachis subpilosa

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Native to South and Southeast Asia, documented in India, Myanmar, and China. Inhabits tropical forests, nesting in soil or under stones ^[1][2][3].
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed, no specific data on queen number or social structure.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, no total length measurements in research.
  • Worker: Size data unavailable, no total length measurements in research.
  • Colony: Estimated up to several hundred workers, inferred from genus patterns.
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Development: Estimated 6-8 weeks, inferred from related Formicinae species. (Development time is inferred, specific timing not documented for this species.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep warm, roughly 24-28°C, based on tropical distribution.
  • Humidity: Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  • Diapause: No, tropical species do not require diapause.
  • Nesting: Use Y-tong, plaster, or soil nests with moisture access.
• Behavior: Workers are active foragers, not aggressive toward keepers but will defend the nest. They spray formic acid as a defense mechanism. Escape risk is moderate due to their size, standard barriers work well.
• Common Issues: colonies may fail if kept too dry, monitor humidity levels consistently, slow founding phase means new keepers may lose patience and disturb the queen, wild-caught colonies may carry parasites that can decimate the colony in captivity, overheating can be fatal, avoid temperatures above 32°C, insufficient escape prevention can lead to escapes despite their moderate size

Housing and Nest Setup

For founding colonies, use a test tube setup with water and cotton. For established colonies, Y-tong, plaster, or soil nests with moisture reservoirs work well. Provide a dark, humid chamber and an outworld for foraging. Place the nest in a stable, warm area away from direct sunlight. ^[3]

Feeding and Diet

These ants are omnivorous with a preference for protein. Offer small insects like fruit flies or mealworms twice weekly. Provide sugar sources like honey water occasionally. Remove uneaten food after 24-48 hours to prevent mold. Always provide clean water.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Maintain temperatures around 24-28°C for optimal growth. A heating cable can create a gradient. Avoid temperatures above 32°C or below 18°C. No diapause is needed due to tropical origin. ^[1][2]

Colony Founding and Growth

Founding behavior is unconfirmed. If claustral, the queen would seal herself in and rely on fat reserves. First workers may emerge in 6-8 weeks. Colony growth is moderate, reaching up to several hundred workers over time.

Behavior and Defense

Workers are active and alert, foraging on ground and vegetation. They spray formic acid as a defense mechanism, typical of Formicinae ants. They are not highly aggressive but will protect the nest. Escape risk is moderate, use fluon barriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References