Dolichoderus inferus

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Australia, mainly the Sydney region in New South Wales, with an additional record from southern Victoria. They live in dry sclerophyll forest, occasionally wet sclerophyll ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed. Based on typical Dolichoderus patterns, they may form single-queen colonies, but this has not been directly studied ^[1].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unconfirmed, no measurements available
  • Worker: Unconfirmed, total body length not reported in literature. Head length is 1.44–1.54 mm but body size is unknown ^[1].
  • Colony: Unconfirmed, typical Dolichoderus colonies reach several hundred workers, but direct data for this species is lacking ^[3]
  • Growth: Unconfirmed
  • Development: Unconfirmed, likely 6–10 weeks based on typical Dolichoderus development patterns (Direct study has not been done. Estimate is from genus-level data.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at room temperature, roughly 20–26°C. Based on their temperate Australian habitat, they can handle cooler conditions too. Provide a gentle temperature gradient if possible ^[1][2].
  • Humidity: Moderate to low humidity. Since they come from dry sclerophyll forest, keep the nest substrate lightly moist but allow it to partly dry between waterings. Avoid constantly wet conditions ^[1][2].
  • Diapause: Likely required, they are from temperate Australia with cool winters. Reduce temperature to 10–15°C for 2–3 months during winter (June–August in the Northern Hemisphere) ^[1][2].
  • Nesting: In the wild they nest in soil under rocks, in rotten wood, or in dead branches ^[3][2]. In captivity, provide a Y‑tong (AAC) or plaster nest with a moisture gradient. A simple test tube works for founding colonies.
• Behavior: Diurnal foragers that move in columns ^[3]. They are general scavengers and also tend aphids for honeydew ^[3]. Not particularly aggressive. Their small size (unknown exact length, but head is about 1.5 mm) means they can escape through tiny gaps – use fine mesh and secure barriers.
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical – their small size lets them squeeze through tiny gaps, wild-caught colonies may carry parasites that can kill the colony, overheating – avoid direct sunlight and heat sources, excessive humidity – they prefer drier conditions than many ants, colony growth may be slow initially – be patient during founding

Housing and Nest Setup

For a founding colony, a test tube setup works well. Once the colony has around 10–20 workers you can connect the test tube to an outworld. For established colonies, use a Y‑tong (AAC) or plaster nest with a moisture gradient – one side slightly moist, the other dry. Workers will choose their preferred zone. Since they naturally nest in soil or rotten wood ^[3][2], you can also use a soil‑based nest. The outworld can have sand, branches, or small plants for climbing.

Feeding and Diet

Dolichoderus inferus is a generalist feeder ^[3]. Offer sugar water, honey, or diluted syrup as a constant energy source. For protein, give small insects like fruit flies, small crickets, or mealworms. Feed protein 2–3 times per week. Remove uneaten prey after 24–48 hours to prevent mold. They are diurnal, so offer food during daylight hours for best acceptance ^[3].

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Keep your colony at 20–26°C. They come from temperate Australia, so they handle cooler temperatures better than tropical ants ^[1][2]. During winter, reduce temperature to 10–15°C for 2–3 months to mimic their natural seasonal cycle. Do not let them freeze. Avoid placing the nest in direct sunlight or near heating vents.

Behavior and Observation

These ants are active during the day and travel in columns between nest and food ^[3]. They are not aggressive and focus on foraging. Their small size makes them easy to observe in a compact setup. Watch for them climbing on branches or plants in the outworld – this reflects their natural foraging on low vegetation and trees ^[3].

Colony Establishment

Founding behaviour has not been documented for this species. If you obtain a queen, place her in a test tube with a water reservoir. Follow standard care for claustral founders: do not disturb her during the first few weeks. Once the first workers appear (after several weeks), offer tiny amounts of sugar water and small prey. Wait until there are at least 10–20 workers before connecting an outworld. Wild‑caught colonies may carry parasites – quarantine them first.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References