Hylomyrma reginae

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Hard
• Origin & Habitat: Tropical rainforests of northern South America (Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname) at elevations 60-1051 m. Found in Amazon and Inselberg forests, both primary and secondary growth ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed. Intercastes have been documented, suggesting flexibility in caste development, but whether colonies are single-queen or multi-queen is unknown ^[1].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: 5.63-6.64 mm ^[1]
  • Worker: 4.71-5.60 mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony size data available
  • Growth: Unknown, no development data available
  • Development: Unknown, development has not been studied for this species. (No data on egg-to-worker time. Tropical species may develop faster, but this is speculative.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: As a tropical rainforest species ^[1], keep warm year-round. Estimated ideal range 24-26°C. Provide a temperature gradient with a heating cable on one side of the nest. Avoid temperatures below 20°C.
  • Humidity: High humidity is needed. Maintain 70-85% relative humidity and keep the nest substrate moist but not waterlogged. Frequent misting or a water reservoir helps.
  • Diapause: No, as a tropical species from lowland rainforests ^[1], they do not require hibernation. Keep warm year-round.
  • Nesting: In nature, nests are in fallen logs, rotten wood, between leaves, or in cavities in the upper soil layers ^[2]. In captivity, use a naturalistic setup with deep (5-8 cm) moist soil/peat mix, or a Y-tong/plaster nest with chambers scaled to their medium size. Provide plenty of hiding spots and leaf litter cover.
• Behavior: Behavior is largely unknown due to lack of biological studies. This is a leaf-litter species, so it likely spends most time hidden in substrate. Escape risk is moderate for medium-sized ants (standard barriers work), but no specific aggression data exists.
• Common Issues: high humidity is critical, dry conditions likely cause colony death ^[1]., no confirmed founding method or diet data, so experimentation is needed., wild-caught colonies may have parasites that are hard to treat., growth rate is unknown, so patience is required.

Natural History and Distribution

Hylomyrma reginae is endemic to northern South America, with records from Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname ^[1][2]. It inhabits tropical rainforests, including both Amazon and Inselberg (rocky outcrop) forests, at elevations between 60 and 1051 m. It is found in primary and secondary forests. Specimens are most often collected by sifting leaf litter, suggesting nests are hidden in fallen logs, rotten wood, between leaves, or in natural cavities just below the soil surface ^[2]. Intercastes (intermediate forms between workers and queens) have been documented in some Guyanan populations, hinting at unusual caste development flexibility, but the overall colony structure remains unknown ^[1].

Identification and Morphology

Hylomyrma reginae can be distinguished from other Hylomyrma by its prominent, subtriangular subpostpetiolar process. Workers are medium to large, total length 4.71-5.60 mm, with a shiny body. The head has regular to slightly irregular longitudinal striae that diverge toward the posterior margin, the striation crests are punctuated. On the mesosoma, striae go in multiple directions, making the interspaces hard to see. The pronotum, mesonotum, and metanotal groove have semielliptical to V-shaped striae. The petiole has a continuous, convex dorsal margin and a subtriangular projection on its lower front surface. The first gastral segment has striation only at the base. Queens are larger (5.63-6.64 mm) with larger eyes and were first described in 2021 ^[1].

Housing and Nest Setup

Because Hylomyrma reginae is a leaf-litter species ^[2], a naturalistic setup works best. Use a formicarium with at least 5-8 cm of a moist soil/peat mixture that mimics the forest floor. Add pieces of rotting wood, bark, and dried leaves to provide cover and nesting material. Alternatively, a Y-tong (AAC) or plaster nest with chambers sized for medium ants can work if kept moist. The outworld should have plenty of hiding spots (leaf litter, bark) and low lighting, as these shy ants prefer dark conditions. Keep the nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. A water test tube or cotton reservoir helps maintain humidity.

Feeding and Diet

The natural diet of Hylomyrma reginae has not been studied. No specific dietary data is available. For captive feeding, try offering small protein sources like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or pieces of mealworm, along with sugar water or honey. Start with small prey and observe acceptance. Remove uneaten food after 24-48 hours to prevent mold. Acceptance of various foods may vary, be prepared to experiment.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Hylomyrma reginae lives in tropical rainforests ^[1], so it needs warm conditions year-round. Aim for 24-26°C, but exact temperature tolerance is unknown. Provide a gradient with a heating cable on one side of the nest so ants can self-regulate. Avoid direct heat on the nest material to prevent drying. Do not let temperature drop below 20°C for extended periods. As a tropical species, diapause is not required. Keep the colony warm all year and do not expose to air conditioning drafts.

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Virtually nothing is known about the behavior of Hylomyrma reginae in the wild or captivity. It is a leaf-litter dweller, so it likely stays hidden in the substrate and forages in the upper soil layers. No data exists on aggression, defensive behavior, or activity patterns. The presence of intercastes in some populations suggests flexibility in caste development, but the significance is unknown ^[1]. Colony structure and size are unstudied. Keepers should expect a secretive lifestyle and be prepared for surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References