Camponotus boriquen

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands (Greater Antilles). Found in tropical rainforest habitats at elevations around 200m, nesting in dead twigs and stems ^[2].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed. Camponotus species typically form single-queen colonies, but specific data for C. boriquen is not available.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: 6.8-8.1mm total length ^[2]
  • Worker: 4.2-6.8mm total length (minors 4.2-5.4mm, majors 5.8-6.8mm) ^[2]
  • Colony: Colony size data unavailable for this species
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Development: Estimated 6-8 weeks based on typical Camponotus patterns (Development time is inferred from genus-level data, as no species-specific study exists.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep around 24-28°C. As a tropical Caribbean species, they prefer warm conditions. A gentle gradient allowing them to move between warmer and cooler areas is ideal.
  • Humidity: Moderate to high humidity (60-80%). Their natural habitat in Puerto Rico rainforest is humid. Keep the nest substrate moist but not waterlogged, with some drier areas available.
  • Diapause: No true diapause required. Being tropical, they do not experience cold winters. However, a slight seasonal reduction in temperature (room temperature over winter months) may simulate natural conditions.
  • Nesting: Test tubes work well for founding colonies. For established colonies, Y-tong (AAC) nests or wooden formicaria mimic their natural twig/stem nesting preferences. They prefer tight, narrow chambers scaled to their size.
• Behavior: Typical Camponotus temperament, generally calm and not aggressive. Workers are moderately active foragers. Escape risk is moderate, standard barriers work well for ants of this size. As Formicinae ants, they lack a functional sting and instead bite and spray formic acid from their acidopore as defense.
• Common Issues: limited availability, this is a newly described species and may be difficult to find from suppliers, humidity control is important, being tropical, they may suffer in dry conditions, slow colony growth means patience is required, Camponotus species are not fast growers, wild-caught colonies may carry parasites or not adapt well to captive conditions

Nest Preferences

In the wild, Camponotus boriquen nests exclusively in twigs, dead branches, and stems. The type series was collected from a dead branch in a Tabonuco rainforest in Puerto Rico at 200m elevation, and specimens from St. John have been found in sea grape stems. This makes them a classic twig-nesting ant within the Pseudocolobopsis subgenus. For captive care, test tubes work perfectly for founding colonies. Once established, Y-tong (AAC) nests or wooden formicaria with narrow chambers mimic their natural preferences. Avoid large, open spaces, they prefer tight, enclosed chambers that match the dimensions of their natural twig homes. ^[1][2]

Feeding and Diet

Like most Camponotus species, they are omnivorous. In captivity, they readily accept sugar sources (honey water, sugar water) and protein foods (mealworms, crickets, other insects). Their natural diet likely includes honeydew from aphids and scale insects, plus small insects they capture. Feed them a few drops of sugar water twice a week, and offer protein prey (like cut-up mealworms or small crickets) 1-2 times per week. Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent mold.

Temperature and Care

Being native to Puerto Rico and the USVI, these ants are adapted to tropical conditions. Keep the nest area at 24-28°C (75-82°F). A heating cable on one side of the nest can create a temperature gradient, allowing workers to self-regulate by moving to warmer or cooler areas. Room temperature may be sufficient if your home stays in this range. Avoid temperatures below 20°C for extended periods. They do not require hibernation or true diapause, but a slight seasonal temperature drop during winter months (similar to indoor room temperature variation) may be beneficial. High humidity is important, aim for 60-80% relative humidity, keeping the nest substrate consistently moist but not flooded.

Behavior and Temperament

Camponotus boriquen has a typical carpenter ant temperament, generally peaceful and not prone to aggression. Workers are moderately active and will forage for food both in the nest area and in an outworld. They are not particularly defensive and rarely sting. Their moderate size (4-7mm workers) means escape prevention is straightforward, standard barrier methods work well. They are not aggressive toward keepers and make good observation ants. Workers will establish foraging trails when food is available and can be entertaining to watch as they recruit nestmates to food sources. As with all Formicinae ants, they lack a functional sting and defend by biting and spraying formic acid from their acidopore.

Colony Founding

Founding behavior has not been directly documented for this species. Camponotus queens typically seal themselves in a small chamber within a twig or stem and survive on stored fat reserves (claustral founding) until their first workers emerge. This means you can start a colony with a single queen in a test tube setup with a water reservoir. The first workers (nanitics) will be smaller than normal workers but will quickly grow as the colony establishes. Expect 6-8 weeks from egg to first worker at optimal temperatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References