Myrmicaria aphidicola

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Endemic to Mindanao Island, Philippines. Found in highland areas between 630-1,300m elevation. Unlike typical Myrmicaria that nest in soil, this species builds nests on leaf sheaths of Phragmites grass ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed, colony structure has not been documented in scientific literature
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unknown, queen caste has not been described in scientific literature
  • Worker: 5.22-7.21mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony size data available
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unknown, development has not been studied (No direct data available.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Inferred from highland Philippine habitat, likely prefers temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s°C (around 22-26°C). Avoid high temperatures typical of lowland tropics. Start in this range and observe colony activity.
  • Humidity: Inferred from leaf-sheath nesting, likely requires moderate humidity (50-70%). The nest is built on plant material, not in soil, so avoid overly damp conditions that would rot the plant matter.
  • Diapause: Unknown, tropical highland species. Likely no true diapause, but may show reduced activity during cooler periods.
  • Nesting: Unique nesting requirements, they naturally nest on plant leaf sheaths, not in soil. In captivity, a naturalistic setup with vertical surfaces works better than typical soil formicariums. They may accept Y-tong nests with narrow chambers, but providing some vertical plant-like structure is ideal.
• Behavior: Not well-documented in captivity. Based on genus behavior, they are likely moderately active foragers. Workers are medium-sized so escape prevention should be standard. The aphid association suggests they may tend honeydew-producing insects if available. This species has a functional stinger as its primary defense mechanism, belonging to the Myrmicinae subfamily which uses sting injection of venom ^[1].
• Common Issues: very limited scientific data means care recommendations are largely inferred from related species, colony size and growth rate are unknown, making it difficult to plan housing upgrades, nesting preferences are unusual, they may not accept standard soil formicariums, no data on founding behavior or queen requirements, tropical highland origin means temperature needs differ from typical temperate ants

Natural History and Distribution

Myrmicaria aphidicola is endemic to Mindanao Island in the Philippines, making it a specialized species for antkeepers. It has been recorded from several localities in the central part of Mindanao, including the Mt. Apo area and Mt. Pantaron Range in Bukidnon Province. The species is found at elevations between 630 and 1,300 meters above sea level, which is relatively high for the Philippines ^[1][3]. This highland habitat suggests they prefer cooler conditions than typical tropical lowland ants.

What makes this species particularly interesting is its unique nesting behavior. Unlike most Myrmicaria which excavate nests in soil, M. aphidicola builds its nests on the leaf sheaths of Phragmites grass (Poaceae family). The ants construct their nest using soil particles mixed with dried plant material like stems and leaves, creating a structure that extends from the ground up to the leaf sheath where the aphids are protected ^[2].

The name 'aphidicola' literally means 'aphid-dweller' and refers to this species' unique association with aphids among the Myrmicaria genus. They protect aphids by building nests over them, and in return, they feed on the honeydew secreted by these aphids. However, they are not totally dependent on honeydew, researchers have found remains of small grasshoppers and beetles in their nests, indicating they also hunt small prey ^[2].

Identification and Morphology

Workers of Myrmicaria aphidicola measure 5.22-7.21mm in total length, making them medium-sized ants. They have a distinctive reddish-brown to brown coloration with numerous long, coarse setae covering their body. The head is longer than broad and subquadrangular, with large, short, triangular mandibles. The antennae are 7-segmented with an indistinct club ^[1].

Several features distinguish this species from other Myrmicaria, particularly the similar Myrmicaria brunnea. The most diagnostic feature is the distinct basal striation on gaster tergite 1 (the first segment of the abdomen), M. aphidicola is the only described Philippine Myrmicaria with this characteristic. Additionally, M. aphidicola has all gastral segments uniformly brown, while M. brunnea has dark brown markings on the basal margins of the terminal segments ^[1][2].

Other distinctive features include prominent anteroventral pronotal spines, long propodeal spines directed dorsocaudally, and a long peduncle (stalk) on the petiole. The eyes are relatively large and break the outline of the head in full-face view. The scape (first antennal segment) is relatively long ^[1].

Housing and Nesting in Captivity

This is perhaps the most challenging aspect of keeping Myrmicaria aphidicola, as their natural nesting preferences are unusual. In the wild, they build nests on the leaf sheaths of Phragmites grass, not in soil like most Myrmicaria. This means they may not accept typical soil-based formicariums ^[2].

For captivity, consider a naturalistic setup that mimics their natural environment. A setup with vertical surfaces and some plant-like textures would be ideal. Cork bark or acrylic nests with textured surfaces may work better than smooth-walled setups. You could also provide small pieces of dried grass or plant material that they can incorporate into their nest structure.

Since this species is not well-studied in captivity, you may need to experiment. Some keepers report success with Y-tong nests with narrow chambers, but adding some vertical elements or textured surfaces may encourage natural behavior. Test tube setups can work for founding colonies, but monitor whether they accept them long-term.

Given their size, standard escape prevention measures should suffice, they cannot squeeze through typical test tube cotton or well-sealed formicarium lids, but check for any gaps in equipment.

Feeding and Diet

In the wild, Myrmicaria aphidicola has a mixed diet. While they are associated with aphids and feed on honeydew, they are not solely dependent on this sugar source. Researchers have found remains of small grasshoppers and beetles inside their nests, indicating they actively hunt small prey ^[2].

For captive care, offer a varied diet: protein sources like small insects (fruit flies, small crickets, mealworms) should be provided regularly. Sugar sources like honey water or sugar water may be accepted given their honeydew-feeding behavior, but this is not confirmed. Offer small amounts and observe acceptance.

Based on the genus being generally predatory and scavenging, they should accept a wide range of foods. Feed protein 2-3 times per week and provide sugar water continuously, removing any uneaten sugar after 24 hours. Remove prey remains promptly to prevent mold.

Temperature and Environmental Needs

Myrmicaria aphidicola comes from highland Mindanao (630-1,300m elevation), which means they likely prefer cooler conditions than typical tropical ants. Based on their natural habitat, aim for temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s°C (around 22-26°C or 72-79°F). Avoid high temperatures that would be typical of lowland tropical setups.

Since this is a relatively newly described species with limited captive data, start in this temperature range and observe your colony's activity. If workers seem sluggish, slightly increase temperature. If they avoid the heated areas or cluster away from heat sources, reduce temperature. The key is to provide a stable, moderate temperature rather than extreme conditions.

Humidity requirements are not well-documented, but since they nest on plant material rather than in soil, they likely prefer moderate humidity (around 50-70%) rather than very damp conditions. Avoid overly wet substrates that could cause mold or rot any plant materials in their enclosure. ^[1]

Frequently Asked Questions

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References