Lordomyrma diwata

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Philippines (Luzon), specifically Mount Isarog National Park in Camarines Sur. Found in leaf litter at elevations around the Panicuason Village area (13°39'28.5'N,123°20'11.2'E) ^[1]. This is a tropical forest environment with high humidity.
• Colony Type: Unknown colony structure. Only worker caste has been documented. No information on queen number or colony organization is available.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unknown, queen has not been described in scientific literature
  • Worker: 2.8-3.4mm total length ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony size data available
  • Growth: Unknown, no development studies exist
  • Development: Unknown, no direct measurements available (Development timeline is unconfirmed for this species.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Tropical species, keep warm, roughly 24-28°C. Start at mid-20s and observe colony activity.
  • Humidity: High humidity required, these are leaf litter ants from humid tropical forest. Keep substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide a gradient with a damp side and slightly drier area.
  • Diapause: No, this is a tropical species from the Philippines. They do not require hibernation. Maintain consistent temperatures year-round.
  • Nesting: Naturalistic setup with moist substrate works best. Y-tong or plaster nests with small chambers scaled to their tiny size. Keep nest material damp but allow some drying between rehydrations.
• Behavior: Very limited behavioral data exists. Workers are found in leaf litter both during the day and night, suggesting flexible activity patterns ^[2]. They are small ants that likely forage in the substrate layer. Escape prevention is important due to their small size, use fine mesh and tight-fitting barriers. Temperament is unknown but related species are generally non-aggressive. As Myrmicinae, they have a stinger but it is too small to penetrate human skin effectively.
• Common Issues: small size means escapes are likely without fine mesh barriers, no data on founding behavior makes claustral vs semi-claustral determination difficult, humidity requirements are high, too dry causes colony decline, development timeline is unknown, making growth expectations difficult, no queen description available, wild colonies are the only source

Natural History and Distribution

Lordomyrma diwata is known only from Mount Isarog in Luzon, Philippines, a volcanic mountain with rich biodiversity. The species was described in 2012 by Robert Taylor from specimens collected in leaf litter at the Panicuason Village area of the national park ^[1]. The type locality sits at approximately 13°39'N latitude, placing it in a tropical climate zone with year-round warmth and high humidity.

The species name 'diwata' honors Filipino folklore, diwata are mythical forest nymphs or spirits, a fitting tribute to an ant discovered in Philippine cloud forest ^[1]. Only the worker caste has been documented, and the species remains known only from this single population. Related Lordomyrma species (Lordomyrma emarginata and Lordomyrma idianale) share the same mountain, making Mount Isarog a hotspot for this genus in the Philippines ^[1].

Appearance and Identification

Workers are small but distinctive, measuring 2.8-3.4mm in total length ^[1]. The most striking feature is their unusually smooth and glossy body, unlike most Lordomyrma species which have rougher sculpturation, L. diwata has highly reflective surfaces with reduced texture. This smoothness readily distinguishes it from other Philippine and Asian Lordomyrma species ^[1].

The body is dark mahogany-brown, with noticeably lighter brown antennae and legs. The mesosoma (middle body section) is proportionately short with an elevated, evenly arched profile. The head has a broadly rounded back, and the antennae have relatively short scapes. Overall, the body appears polished and almost metallic in certain lighting ^[1].

Housing and Nest Preferences

In the wild, these ants live in leaf litter, which means they prefer humid, substrate-based environments. For captive care, a naturalistic setup with moist soil or a Y-tong/plaster nest works well. The chambers should be small and tight, these are tiny ants that feel exposed in large open spaces. Keep the nest material consistently damp but not waterlogged, as standing water can drown small colonies.

Because of their very small size (under 4mm), escape prevention must be excellent. Use tight-fitting lids, fine mesh on any ventilation, and consider barrier methods like fluon on edges. Their small size lets them squeeze through surprisingly tiny gaps. A test tube setup can work for founding colonies if kept humid, but a naturalistic formicarium gives them more space to develop naturally. ^[1][2]

Feeding and Diet

The specific diet of L. diwata has not been documented. For captive care, offer small protein sources like fruit flies, springtails, or tiny mealworm pieces. Sugar water or honey can be offered occasionally. Feed small amounts every few days, removing uneaten prey to prevent mold. Because they are small, even tiny prey items are substantial meals.

Temperature and Humidity

As a tropical species from the Philippines, L. diwata requires warm, humid conditions. Aim for temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius (roughly 24-28°C). Room temperature in most homes may be suitable, but monitor colony activity, if workers seem sluggish or cluster together, consider adding gentle heat via a heating cable on one side of the nest.

Humidity is critical, these are leaf litter ants from a humid tropical environment. Keep the nest substrate consistently moist. A humidity gradient helps, with one area damper than another so ants can choose their preferred zone. Mist occasionally, but base rehydration on substrate moisture rather than a fixed schedule. Too dry causes desiccation, too wet causes mold problems.

Colony Development and Growth

No specific development data exists for this species. The queen has not been described scientifically, so founding behavior is unknown. Colony size in the wild is unknown. Growth expectations are difficult to predict without data. If you obtain a wild colony, acclimate them gradually to captive conditions and maintain stable humidity and temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References