Crematogaster philippinensis

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Philippines (Luzon, Negros) and Brunei, found in canopy of lowland dipterocarp forests ^[2]. Tropical arboreal environment.
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed for this species.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, no documented measurements for queens
  • Worker: Size data unavailable, only head measurements documented (HW 0.45-0.46mm) ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown for this species
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unconfirmed, no species-specific development data exists (No direct development data exists for this species.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 24-28°C, they are a tropical species from Southeast Asia. A gentle gradient with a heating cable on one side works well.
  • Humidity: Moderate to high, aim for 60-80% humidity. Their arboreal nesting habits mean they prefer conditions that prevent desiccation but aren't waterlogged.
  • Diapause: No, as a tropical species, they do not require hibernation. Keep temperatures stable year-round.
  • Nesting: Twig-nesting species, they prefer small cavities in dead wood, hollow twigs, or similar arboreal spaces. In captivity, a Y-tong (AAC) nest with narrow chambers or a small naturalistic setup with twigs works well. Avoid large open spaces, they prefer tight, enclosed chambers.
• Behavior: These ants are active foragers that search for food both day and night ^[3]. They are not particularly aggressive but will defend their nest if threatened. Their small size makes them quick and agile. They have a tendency to raise their abdomen when disturbed, a typical Crematogaster defense display involving their modified stinger used to smear venom. Escape prevention is critical due to their tiny size, they can squeeze through remarkably small gaps. Use fine mesh barriers and ensure all openings are sealed.
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical due to their very small size, they can slip through gaps that seem impossible, wild-caught colonies may have parasites that kill them in captivity, test tube setups may dry out too quickly, monitor moisture levels closely, their small size makes them difficult to feed properly, prey items must be tiny, limited species-specific care information available

Nest Preferences and Housing

Crematogaster philippinensis belongs to the Orthocrema subgenus, which is known for twig-nesting behavior. In the wild, they colonize small hollow spaces in dead twigs, fallen branches, and similar arboreal cavities. This means they prefer nests with tight, narrow chambers rather than large open spaces. A Y-tong (AAC) formicarium with appropriately scaled chambers works well, or you can create a naturalistic setup using actual twigs or small wooden pieces. The key is providing enclosed spaces that mimic their natural twig-nesting habitat. Avoid acrylic nests with large chambers, these ants feel exposed and stressed in overly spacious enclosures. Test tube setups can work for founding colonies but monitor them closely as the small chambers dry out faster. ^[1][2]

Feeding and Diet

Like most Crematogaster species, these ants are omnivorous with a preference for protein-rich foods. They likely feed on honeydew from aphids and scale insects in the wild, along with small insects and other arthropods they encounter while foraging. In captivity, offer small live prey such as fruit flies, pinhead crickets, and other appropriately sized insects. They will also accept sugar sources like honey water or sugar water, though protein should make up the majority of their diet. Feed them small prey items several times per week, and keep a constant sugar water source available. Due to their tiny size, prey items must be very small, even fruit flies may need to be killed first for newly established colonies.

Temperature and Environmental Needs

As a tropical species from the Philippines and Brunei, Crematogaster philippinensis requires warm, stable temperatures. Keep the nest area between 24-28°C, with a slight gradient allowing the ants to choose their preferred temperature. A heating cable placed on one side of the nest can create this gradient. Avoid temperatures below 22°C for extended periods, as this could stress the colony. They do not require hibernation or diapause, maintain consistent tropical conditions year-round. Humidity should be moderate to high (60-80%), as their arboreal nesting habits mean they are not adapted to dry conditions. Monitor substrate moisture and provide water access through a test tube water reservoir.

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Studies show these ants are active both during day and night, making them diurnal and nocturnal foragers ^[3]. This is unusual among ants and suggests they are flexible in their foraging patterns. When disturbed, Crematogaster species typically raise their abdomen in a defensive posture, this is a warning display. Their small size and arboreal nature make them quick colonizers of new spaces. Colonies likely grow slowly at first, expect several months to a year before seeing significant worker numbers. Due to their canopy-dwelling nature in the wild, they may prefer elevated positions in captivity.

Handling and Escape Prevention

The most critical aspect of keeping this species is escape prevention. These ants are very small and can squeeze through gaps that would stop larger ants. Use fine mesh on all ventilation holes. Check all lid seals and connection points regularly. When feeding, work carefully and close enclosures immediately after. A thin barrier of fluon or petroleum jelly around the top of the nest can help, but fine mesh is your primary defense. When observing or working with the colony, do so in a contained area, they move quickly and can easily escape onto surfaces where they are difficult to recover.

Acquiring and Establishing Colonies

This species was only described in 2016, making it one of the more recently documented Crematogaster species ^[1]. Wild-caught colonies may be the most accessible option, but be aware they may harbor parasites that can devastate captive colonies. Quarantine and observe new colonies carefully before introducing them to any existing ant setups. If acquiring a founding queen, provide her with a small, enclosed test tube setup with a water reservoir. Once workers emerge, gradually introduce small prey items. Growth will be slow initially, patience is key with this species.

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