Dolichoderus brevithorax

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: North Sumatra (Medan), Indonesia, tropical rainforest environment ^[1]
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed, colony structure has not been specifically documented for this species
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, no published measurements for queens of this species
  • Worker: 5.06-5.98 mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, no published data on maximum colony size
  • Growth: Unknown, development has not been specifically studied
  • Development: Unknown, no species-specific data available (Development timeline is unconfirmed for this species. Tropical ant species generally develop faster than temperate ones, but specific timelines are unknown.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 24-28°C, they are tropical ants from Sumatra ^[1]. A heating cable on one side of the nest creates a gradient and helps maintain warmth.
  • Humidity: High humidity preferred (70-85%). These are tropical forest ants that need moist conditions. Keep the nest substrate consistently damp but not waterlogged.
  • Diapause: No, being a tropical species from near the equator, they do not require hibernation. Maintain consistent temperatures year-round.
  • Nesting: In captivity, Y-tong (AAC) nests or plaster nests work well. They are believed to be arboreal-nesting ants in the wild, so provide vertical space and climbing structures. Test tubes with cotton water reservoirs are suitable for founding colonies.
• Behavior: Dolichoderus brevithorax is a calm, non-aggressive species typical of the genus. As herdsmen ants, they are likely to tend mealybugs or scale insects when given the opportunity, making them interesting to watch. Workers are moderately active and will forage for honeydew and small prey. They are not strong climbers but can escape through small gaps, use standard escape prevention. They have moderate escape risk due to their 5-6 mm size.
• Common Issues: limited availability, this species is rarely available in the antkeeping hobby due to its restricted range, biology is poorly documented, care recommendations are based on genus-level inference rather than species-specific research, tropical humidity requirements can lead to mold issues if ventilation is inadequate, slow colony growth compared to faster-developing species may frustrate beginners, wild-caught colonies may have parasites that are difficult to treat without species-specific knowledge

Nest Preferences and Housing

Dolichoderus brevithorax is believed to be a tree-nesting species typical of the herdsmen ant group. In captivity, they do well in Y-tong (AAC) nests or plaster nests that maintain humidity. Since they are from tropical Sumatra, they need consistent warmth and moisture. A test tube setup works well for founding colonies, use a standard test tube with a cotton ball creating a water reservoir. For established colonies, provide a nest with multiple chambers and some vertical space, as these ants may climb and explore. Avoid completely dry environments or nests that dry out quickly. Adding some climbing structures or fake plants in the outworld mimics their natural arboreal habitat and gives them enrichment. ^[1]

Feeding and Diet

As herdsmen ants, Dolichoderus brevithorax likely feeds primarily on honeydew collected from mealybugs or scale insects, supplemented with small insects for protein. In captivity, offer sugar water or honey water as a constant energy source. For protein, provide small insects like fruit flies, small crickets, or mealworm pieces. You can experiment with offering mealybugs in the setup to observe their natural herding behavior, this is one of the most interesting aspects of keeping herdsmen ants. Feed protein prey 2-3 times per week, and keep sugar water available at all times. Remove uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold. ^[2]

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Being a tropical species from North Sumatra, Dolichoderus brevithorax needs warm conditions year-round. Keep the nest area at 24-28°C (75-82°F). A small heating cable placed on one side of the nest can help maintain these temperatures, especially in cooler rooms. Do not allow temperatures to drop below 22°C for extended periods. Unlike temperate species, they do not require a winter diapause or hibernation period. Maintain consistent temperatures throughout the year, avoid drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations. Room temperature in most homes may be too cool, so monitor with a thermometer and adjust heating accordingly. ^[1]

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Dolichoderus brevithorax is a calm, non-aggressive species that builds colonies gradually. Workers are moderately active and will forage both in the nest and outworld. The species gets its name 'herdsmen' from their behavior of tending mealybugs and other hemipterans, they protect these insects and harvest their honeydew secretion. If you provide mealybugs in the setup, you may observe this symbiotic behavior. Colony size is not documented for this species, maximum worker count is unknown. Queens are unconfirmed for founding behavior, claustral founding is typical for the genus but not specifically documented for this species. ^[1]

Acquiring and Establishing a Colony

Dolichoderus brevithorax is rarely available in the antkeeping hobby due to its restricted distribution in North Sumatra. If you obtain a colony, it will likely be wild-caught. Quarantine new colonies for a few weeks and monitor for parasites or health issues. For founding colonies, use a simple test tube setup with a water reservoir. Place the tube in a dark, quiet location and minimize disturbances until the first workers (nanitics) emerge. After the colony reaches 10-20 workers, you can consider moving them to a proper nest. Be patient, this species grows at an unknown rate and may take several months to establish a strong colony. ^[2]

Frequently Asked Questions

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References