Mayriella abstinens

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Expert
• Origin & Habitat: Native to Australia (Queensland), introduced to New Zealand. Found in rainforests and dry sclerophyll woodlands, typically at elevations between 200-600 m ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed, the number of queens per colony has not been documented in scientific literature.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable
  • Worker: Size data unavailable
  • Colony: Unknown, no data on colony size available
  • Growth: Unknown, no data on growth rate
  • Development: Estimated 6-10 weeks based on typical Myrmicinae patterns, but not confirmed for this species (Development timeline is not directly studied, estimates are inferred from genus-level patterns)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep warm, roughly 22-26°C, based on tropical specialist status ^[5]. A gentle gradient allowing self-regulation is ideal.
  • Humidity: Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, with some drier areas available, as they are rainforest dwellers ^[1].
  • Diapause: No, as a tropical species from Queensland, they likely do not require hibernation ^[5].
  • Nesting: Will accept test tubes, Y-tong nests, or plaster nests. They naturally nest in soil and under objects, so a naturalistic setup works well ^[1].
• Behavior: Workers are active foragers collecting protein and carbohydrates. They are moderately alert and will defend the colony if threatened. Their sting is reduced and unlikely to penetrate human skin ^[4]. Escape prevention is critical due to their tiny size, they can slip through standard barriers ^[1]. In New Zealand, they are found almost exclusively in forest ecosystems ^[6] and can be attracted to protein baits ^[7].
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical, their tiny size means they can slip through standard barriers, WARNING: This species is introduced and established in New Zealand ^[2] and listed as potentially invasive in New Caledonia ^[3]. It is NOT recommended to keep this species in countries where it is not native. If kept, extreme precautions must be taken to prevent any escape., small colony size means slower population growth than larger ants, may be outcompeted by more aggressive ant species in multi-species setups, limited documented care information means some trial-and-error may be needed

Housing and Nest Setup

Use test tubes for founding colonies with a snug cotton barrier to prevent escapes ^[1]. For established colonies, Y-tong or plaster nests with small chambers work well. They naturally nest in soil and sometimes arboreally under bark, so a naturalistic setup with substrate is suitable. Avoid large open chambers, these tiny ants feel more secure in snug spaces. Escape prevention is absolutely critical, check that all barriers are packed tightly enough that workers cannot squeeze past ^[1].

Feeding and Diet

Mayriella abstinens is omnivorous. Offer small protein sources like fruit flies or tiny crickets 2-3 times per week, and keep a constant sugar water source available. In their native and introduced ranges, they forage on vegetation and ground, suggesting they collect honeydew and prey ^[6][7]. Remove uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold. Prey items should be appropriately sized for their tiny workers.

Temperature and Humidity

Keep the nest area at 22-26°C for optimal activity, as they are tropical climate specialists ^[5]. A heating cable can create a gentle gradient, but avoid overheating. For humidity, keep the nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, with some drier areas, as they are rainforest dwellers ^[1].

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Workers are active foragers that explore ground and vegetation. They are not particularly aggressive but will defend the nest if disturbed. Their sting is reduced and unlikely to cause pain to humans ^[4]. Colonies remain relatively small, but size data is unavailable. Handle with care during transfers due to their tiny size.

Seasonal Care and Overwintering

As a tropical species, they likely do not require diapause ^[5]. In cooler climates, activity may slow naturally. No special overwintering setup is needed, simply allow temperatures to drop slightly if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References