Dolichoderus extensispinus

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: South-eastern Queensland, Australia. Found in forests from dry sclerophyll to rainforest. Nests under stones, forages on low vegetation and trees ^[1][3].
• Colony Type: Not documented for this species. Based on typical Dolichoderus patterns, single-queen colonies are likely, but this hasn't been confirmed.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Not documented, likely 6–8 mm (inferred from related Dolichoderus species).
  • Worker: ~4–5 mm (inferred from Dolichoderus genus) ^[1].
  • Colony: Not documented, based on related species, likely up to a few thousand workers.
  • Growth: Moderate – inferred from typical Dolichoderus development.
  • Development: Estimated 6–10 weeks at warm temperatures (inferred from genus patterns). (Not directly studied for this species.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 22–28°C. They come from subtropical Queensland, so they like it warm. A gentle heat gradient is helpful. Avoid letting temps drop below 15°C ^[1].
  • Humidity: Moderate to high. They inhabit forests ranging from dry sclerophyll to rainforest, so provide a gradient: keep the nest substrate moist but not waterlogged, with some drier areas available ^[1].
  • Diapause: Probably only a mild winter slowdown, given their subtropical origin. Queensland winters are mild, so true hibernation is unlikely. Specific requirements are unknown ^[1].
  • Nesting: Natural nests are under stones in soil or rotten wood ^[1][3]. In captivity, use a naturalistic setup with soil and flat stones, or a Y‑tong (AAC) / plaster nest with good moisture retention. Keep chambers small and dark.
• Behavior: Diurnal and generally calm. They are generalist scavengers that also tend aphids for honeydew, so they accept both protein and sugar. They forage in columns, making them active and visible during daylight. They are not aggressive and rarely sting, when threatened, Dolichoderus emit a strong acetone-like odor as a chemical defense. Moderate escape risk – they climb well, so barriers are needed.
• Common Issues: rare in the hobby due to restricted range in south-eastern Queensland., colony founding is slow – expect several months before first workers appear., humidity control is important: brood desiccates if too dry, mold grows if too wet., wild-caught colonies may carry parasites that reduce survival in captivity., foraging columns means they test barriers constantly – nest connections must be truly tight.

Housing and Nest Setup

In the wild, Dolichoderus extensispinus nests under stones and in rotten wood ^[1][3]. A naturalistic setup with soil and flat stones works well. Alternatively, use a Y‑tong (AAC) or plaster nest with moisture chambers – these provide the dark, humid spaces they like. For founding, start with a test tube setup, upgrade to a larger formicarium after 30–50 workers appear. Since they forage on vegetation, include some vertical surfaces or live plants in the outworld. Make sure connections are perfectly sealed, as these ants explore every gap.

Feeding and Diet

Dolichoderus extensispinus are generalist scavengers that also tend aphids for honeydew ^[3]. In captivity, offer small crickets, mealworms, or other insects 2–3 times a week, and always provide sugar water or honey. They show strong interest in sugary foods. Remove leftover protein after 24–48 hours to prevent mold. A constant water supply is essential.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

This species comes from subtropical south‑eastern Queensland, so it prefers warmth – aim for 22–28°C ^[1]. Room temperature (20–24°C) is okay, but a small heating cable on one side of the nest helps if your home runs cooler. Queensland winters are mild, so expect only a slight slowdown in winter, not true hibernation. Keep temperature above 15°C. Adjust heat based on colony behavior: if they cluster near the heat, increase, if they avoid it, reduce.

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

These ants are diurnal and forage in columns, so you'll see lines of workers moving between nest and food during daylight ^[3]. They are not aggressive and don't sting painfully. When disturbed, Dolichoderus release a strong acetone‑like odor as a chemical defense. Colony growth is gradual. Workers are easy to identify by the long pronotal and propodeal spines that point sideways and upward – a unique combination among Australian Dolichoderus ^[1].

Acquiring and Establishing a Colony

Dolichoderus extensispinus has a very restricted range in south‑eastern Queensland and is rarely available in the antkeeping hobby. If you get a colony, it will probably come from a breeder, not wild caught (which would be illegal without a permit). For a founding colony, use a simple test tube with a water reservoir. Keep it dark and undisturbed for the first few months. Once workers appear, you can connect a small outworld. ^[1]

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