Echinopla charernsomi

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Central and eastern Thailand (Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, and Tak provinces). Found in dry evergreen forests at low elevations. Specimens collected from lower vegetation and shrubs, suggesting an arboreal or twig-nesting lifestyle ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Unknown. Colony structure has not been documented for this species.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Not yet described, this is a recently described species (2018) ^[1]
  • Worker: Approximately 5mm total length ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony size data available
  • Growth: Unknown, no development data exists for this species
  • Development: Unknown, no direct observations. Based on related Formicinae, expect several weeks at warm temperatures. (Development timeline has not been studied for this species.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Aim for 24-28°C. This species comes from tropical Thailand, so warmth is important.
  • Humidity: Moderate humidity around 60-70%. The dry evergreen forest habitat suggests they prefer conditions that are not constantly wet but have some moisture available.
  • Diapause: Unknown, likely no true diapause given the tropical origin.
  • Nesting: Likely arboreal or twig-nesting based on collection data. A naturalistic setup with cork, twigs, or a Y-tong/plaster nest with narrow chambers would be appropriate. Provide climbing structures and vertical space.
• Behavior: Not well-documented in captivity. Based on genus behavior, these are likely moderate foragers that search for honeydew and small insects. Their small size means escape prevention is important, they can squeeze through small gaps. They are not known to be particularly aggressive but will defend their nest if threatened. Formicinae ants lack a functional stinger and defend using formic acid spray.
• Common Issues: new species means limited care information, expect a learning curve, escape prevention is important given their small size, no documented colony founding behavior, unknown if claustral or semi-claustral, diet preferences are unconfirmed, likely generalist but specific acceptance unknown, hibernation requirements are unknown, may need warm conditions year-round

Discovery and Identification

Echinopla charernsomi was described in 2018 by Tanansathaporn and Jaitrong. It was discovered in three provinces of Thailand: Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, and Tak. The species was named in honor of Dr. Kosol Charernsom of Kasetsart University, a biodiversity specialist who inspired many young taxonomists in Thailand ^[1].

Workers are distinctive among Echinopla species due to their smaller size compared to relatives like Echinopla striata. The species has fine longitudinal striations covering the head, mesosoma, and first gastral tergite, along with dense erect hairs mixed with shorter pubescence. The mesosoma is notably armed with numerous teeth along its margins, and the petiole has several large teeth on its sides ^[1].

The body is primarily black, but with distinctive reddish-brown coloration on the trochanters and the tip of the abdomen. This coloration helps distinguish it from similar species like Echinopla striata, which has entirely dark legs ^[1].

Natural Habitat and Nesting

This species is known only from Thailand, specifically from dry evergreen forest environments in the central and eastern regions. The type locality is the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station in Nakhon Ratchasima province ^[1].

The most intriguing aspect of this species' natural history is its likely arboreal lifestyle. No actual nest has ever been found, but specimens have been collected from shrubs and trees in the lower vegetation layer ^[2]. This strongly suggests they nest in twigs, hollow stems, or under bark rather than in soil like many other ants.

For antkeepers, providing vertical space and climbing structures is essential. A naturalistic setup with cork, twigs, or a Y-tong style nest would be more appropriate than a simple test tube setup.

Temperature and Care Requirements

Since this species comes from tropical Thailand, it requires warm conditions. Aim for temperatures in the range of 24-28°C, which is typical for Southeast Asian ants. Room temperature in most homes may be slightly cool, so consider using a heating cable or mat on one side of the nest to create a warm zone.

Humidity should be moderate, think of a dry evergreen forest floor, not a rainforest. Around 60-70% relative humidity is a good starting point. The nest substrate should have some moisture but should not be constantly wet. Provide a water source and allow the ants to regulate their own humidity by moving between wetter and drier areas of the nest.

Because this is a newly described species with no captive breeding history, expect some experimentation. Start with the conditions described above and observe colony behavior.

Feeding and Diet

The specific diet of Echinopla charernsomi has not been documented. As a Formicine ant, they likely have a varied diet including honeydew from aphids and scale insects, nectar from flowers, and small insects for protein.

For captive care, offer a combination of sugar sources (honey water, sugar water) and protein sources (small insects like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or mealworms). Since they may be arboreal, they might prefer foraging in elevated areas rather than on the ground.

Start with standard ant foods and observe what the colony accepts. Remove uneaten food after 24-48 hours to prevent mold.

Behavior and Temperament

The behavior of Echinopla charernsomi in captivity has not been documented, as the species is newly described and rare in antkeeping. However, we can infer some traits from the genus.

The dense covering of erect hairs on their body is a distinctive feature of this genus. In some Echinopla species, these hairs help with debris collection.

Workers are relatively small at around 5mm, so they are not large ants. They are unlikely to be aggressive toward humans but will defend their nest if threatened. Their small size also means they are good climbers and may attempt to escape if given the chance.

The numerous teeth on the mesosoma and petiole are likely defensive adaptations, making the ants appear larger and more threatening to potential predators. These ants do not have a functional stinger, Formicinae ants defend themselves using formic acid spray ^[1].

Frequently Asked Questions

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References