Dorymyrmex xerophylus

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Colombia (La Guajira and Magdalena departments). Found in dry forests at low elevations (96-240m), including restored opencast coal mines and areas disturbed by logging ^[1][2][3].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed. Only known from worker caste, queen caste has not been described ^[1].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Undescribed, queen measurements not available in scientific literature
  • Worker: ~3-4mm, inferred from Dorymyrmex genus patterns
  • Colony: Unknown, colony size has not been documented
  • Growth: Unknown, no development data available for this species
  • Development: Unconfirmed, no direct development studies exist for this species. (Development timeline is unconfirmed for this species.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 24-28°C. This species comes from lowland tropical Colombia, so warmth is important. A heating cable on one side of the nest creates a gradient for the colony to self-regulate.
  • Humidity: Low to moderate, this is a dry forest species from arid environments. Keep the nest substrate slightly moist but allow portions to dry out. Avoid overly damp conditions.
  • Diapause: Unknown, no studies on overwintering requirements. Given its tropical origin (Colombia), diapause is likely not required, but a cool period (18-20°C) during winter months may be beneficial.
  • Nesting: Natural nesting occurs in dry forest soil, often in disturbed/open areas. In captivity, a Y-tong (AAC) nest or plaster nest works well. Provide a mix of damp and dry areas in the outworld for foraging. These are ground-nesting ants, so deeper nest chambers are appropriate.
• Behavior: Dorymyrmex xerophylus is an active forager, with documented activity peaks during mid-morning in the wild. Workers are small but fast-moving, patrolling their territory and recruiting nestmates to food sources. Like all Dolichoderinae, they lack a painful sting but possess effective chemical defense, they can spray defensive compounds and release alarm pheromones when threatened. This may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals but is not dangerous. They are not particularly aggressive toward humans but will defend their nest if provoked. Escape prevention should be moderate, their small size means they can slip through standard barriers, but they are not as prolific escape artists as some tiny species. They are generalist omnivores, likely foraging for nectar, honeydew, and small insects.
• Common Issues: colony structure is unknown, queen caste has not been described in scientific literature, development timeline is unconfirmed, expect slower growth than more commonly kept species, humidity management is tricky, too wet causes fungal problems, too dry may stress the colony, limited availability, this is a rarely kept species with little captive breeding, queen has not been described, wild-queen adoption may be difficult to confirm

Nest Preferences and Housing

Dorymyrmex xerophylus naturally nests in dry forest soils in lowland Colombia. They prefer open areas with some ground disturbance, which suggests they adapt well to varied substrates. In captivity, provide a nest with chambers deep enough for the colony to create their typical tunnel systems. Y-tong (AAC) nests work well for Dolichoderinae, as do plaster nests that allow you to control moisture gradients. The key is providing a moisture gradient within the nest, some areas damp, some dry, so the ants can self-regulate. For the outworld, use a standard foraging area with easy access to food and water. Because they are small workers, ensure any connections between nest and outworld are not too large, though escape risk is moderate rather than extreme. ^[1]

Feeding and Diet

This species is a generalist omnivore, like other Dorymyrmex. In the wild, they forage for nectar, honeydew from aphids, and small insects. Documented bait preferences include protein sources (sausage), collected between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. ^[1]. In captivity, offer a varied diet: sugar water or honey as a constant energy source, and protein sources like small crickets, mealworms, or other small insects 2-3 times per week. Since they are small ants, prey items should be appropriately sized, tiny fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or small mealworm pieces work well. Remove uneaten prey within 24-48 hours to prevent mold. Fresh water should always be available.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

As a lowland Colombian species from dry forests, Dorymyrmex xerophylus requires warm conditions. Keep the nest area at 24-28°C, with a slight gradient if possible. A heating cable placed on top of (not under) the nest can help maintain warmth without over-drying the substrate. Room temperature may be sufficient if your home is naturally warm, but monitor colony activity, if workers seem sluggish, increase heat slightly. Regarding seasonal changes, this species likely does not require a true diapause given its tropical origin. However, a slight reduction in temperature during winter months (dropping to 20-22°C) may simulate natural seasonal patterns and could benefit colony health. Avoid temperatures below 18°C for extended periods. ^[1]

Behavior and Defense

Dorymyrmex xerophylus is an active forager, with documented activity peaks during mid-morning in the wild. Workers are small but fast-moving, patrolling their territory and recruiting nestmates to food sources. Like all Dolichoderinae, they lack a functional stinger but possess effective chemical defense, they can spray defensive compounds from a slit-like opening at the tip of the abdomen when threatened. This may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals but is not dangerous. They are not particularly aggressive toward humans but will defend their nest if provoked. In the colony, they maintain typical ant social structures with workers tending brood, foraging for food, and maintaining the nest. The small worker size means some care is needed with escape prevention, though they are not among the most problematic escape artists. ^[1]

Acquisition and Colony Founding

This is a rarely kept species in the antkeeping hobby. Dorymyrmex xerophylus was only formally described in 2011,and there is limited information about its colony structure in the wild. The queen caste has not been described in scientific literature, which means wild-queen adoption may be challenging to confirm ^[1]. If you can obtain a colony, expect it to start slowly, development times are unconfirmed. The best approach is to acquire an established colony from a keeper who has successfully bred this species, rather than attempting to found from a wild queen. Patience is essential with this species, as there is limited captive husbandry knowledge compared to more common ants.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References