Philidris myrmecodiae

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Native to the Indomalaya region, including India, Borneo, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands ^[1][2]. They inhabit tropical forest canopies, often in epiphytic ant-plants, and nest in rotting wood, tree hollows, or between branches ^[3][1].
• Colony Type: Single-queen colonies (monogyne). Studies in Sarawak found all examined colonies had a single physogastric queen ^[5].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable
  • Worker: Size data unavailable
  • Colony: Up to several hundred workers (estimated)
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Development: Estimated 6-8 weeks at optimal temperatures (25-28°C) (Development is tied to warm tropical conditions)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep warm, around 24-28°C, based on their tropical habitat ^[1]
  • Humidity: Keep humidity high with moist substrate, as they live in humid canopies ^[1]
  • Diapause: No, as a tropical species that does not hibernate ^[1]
  • Nesting: Use Y-tong or plaster nests with high humidity. Provide climbing structures as they are arboreal ^[3]
• Behavior: Aggressive defenders, workers bite when disturbed ^[3]. Arboreal and active foragers, exploring their outworld thoroughly.
• Common Issues: mold can develop if ventilation is poor due to high humidity requirements, aggressive biting makes handling challenging, they may chew through soft materials when building nests, wild-caught colonies may carry parasites from their native habitats, colony growth may be slow compared to faster-growing genera

Natural History and Symbiosis

Philidris myrmecodiae has a close relationship with ant-plants in the genera Myrmecodia and Dischidia. These epiphytic plants provide hollow chambers for the ants to nest in, and the ants benefit the plant by depositing nutrients in the cavities through their waste ^[4]. The ants also disperse Dischidia seeds by pulling them by their pappus hairs and moving them to suitable locations ^[3]. This mutualism helps both the ants and plants thrive in their canopy habitats ^[1].

Housing and Nest Setup

Provide a setup that mimics their natural epiphytic habitat. Use Y-tong (AAC) or plaster nests with narrow chambers to replicate tight spaces like Myrmecodia bulbs. Keep the nest humid by moistening the substrate or using a water reservoir. Include climbing structures like branches or cork bark in the outworld since they are arboreal. Test tube setups work for founding colonies but upgrade as the colony grows. Ensure excellent escape prevention, as they can squeeze through small gaps.

Feeding and Diet

In the wild, these ants tend mealybugs and scale insects for honeydew, and hunt small insects ^[3]. In captivity, offer sugar water or honey for energy, and protein sources like small crickets, mealworms, or fruit flies. Provide protein 2-3 times per week and keep sugar water available at all times.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

As a tropical species, maintain temperatures between 24-28°C year-round ^[1][2]. They do not require hibernation. Avoid temperatures below 22°C, as this may slow metabolism. A slight temperature gradient in the nest allows workers to self-regulate.

Behavior and Handling

Be prepared for defensive behavior, workers will swarm and bite when the nest is disturbed ^[3]. Use slow, gentle movements during inspections and consider red light to minimize disturbance. They are active foragers and arboreal, so ensure secure enclosures to prevent escapes.

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