Protanilla beijingensis

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Expert
• Origin & Habitat: Beijing, China and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan at elevations from 1247 m to 2400-2700 m in cold temperate monsoon deciduous forest ^[1][3]
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed, only three workers and one queen have ever been collected in the wild ^[1]
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: 4.6 mm ^[1]
  • Worker: 3.9-4.0 mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, only isolated individuals have been found
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unknown, no data exists on development time (Development likely slow due to subterranean lifestyle, but unconfirmed)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Based on high-elevation temperate habitat, likely cool temperatures around 15-20°C ^[1][3]
  • Humidity: Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, based on monsoon forest habitat ^[1]
  • Diapause: Likely requires winter diapause due to temperate range, but unconfirmed ^[1][3]
  • Nesting: Provide deep substrate nesting, as collected at 30-55 cm depth ^[1]. Use Y-tong, plaster, or soil nests with deep chambers.
• Behavior: Workers are small with a well-developed sting ^[1]. Escape risk is moderate due to small size, use fine mesh barriers. Aggression level unknown.
• Common Issues: lack of captive care data makes survival uncertain, founding behavior is unconfirmed, colony size in the wild is unknown, difficulty replicating deep subterranean conditions, temperature and diet requirements are uncertain

Discovery and Rarity

Protanilla beijingensis was described in 2017 and is known from only a few specimens. The type specimens were collected using subterranean pitfall traps at 30-55 cm depth in Xiaolongmen Forest Park, Beijing ^[1]. The species was later found in northern Pakistan at elevations between 2400-2700 m, showing a wide distribution ^[3].

Identification and Appearance

Workers are 3.9-4.0 mm in total length with a reddish-brown body, black on the mesothorax and metathorax, and brownish-yellow on the mandibles, antennae, pronotum, legs, and posterior gaster ^[1]. Queens are 4.6 mm with yellowish-brown body and brownish-black markings ^[1]. The petiolar node is trapezoidal, and the subpetiolar process has an elliptical fenestra ^[1].

Subterranean Lifestyle

This species is highly subterranean, collected at depths of 30-55 cm ^[1]. Based on related Opamyrma, they may prey on soil arthropods like centipedes ^[2]. In captivity, provide deep, dark nesting areas to mimic natural conditions.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Due to their high-elevation temperate habitat, keep temperatures cool around 15-20°C ^[1][3]. A winter dormancy period may be needed, but this is unconfirmed.

Feeding and Diet

Diet is unknown, but based on related species, they may be predatory on soil arthropods ^[2]. Offer small live prey like springtails or isopods. Their mandibles have peg-like teeth, suggesting a predatory feeding method ^[1].

Housing and Nesting

Provide deep nesting substrate, at least 10-15 cm, based on collection depth ^[1]. Use Y-tong, plaster, or soil nests with dark, humid chambers. A separate outworld for feeding is recommended. Escape prevention is important due to small size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Report an Issue

The current care sheet is based fully on literature. See inconsistencies, or something that's incorrect? Please report here, it will be resolved after review from an admin. Contributing to the blogs tab also helps providing information, to make us be able to further improve the caresheets. Thank you for your support!

References