Lordomyrma mewasinghi

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Unknown, too little data to assess
• Origin & Habitat: Kerala, India, specifically Pampadum Shola National Park and Karian Shola National Park in the Western Ghats. These parks sit at elevations between 650m and 1800m, featuring dense forest canopy and thick leaf litter that maintains constant moisture. Daily temperatures in the region can reach around 35°C ^[1].
• Colony Type: Unknown, this is a newly described species and only workers have been documented. The colony structure has not been studied.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unknown, queens have not been described yet ^[1]
  • Worker: Approximately 1.7mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony size data available
  • Growth: Unknown, no development data exists for this species
  • Development: Unknown, no direct measurements for this species. (This is a newly described species with no published development data.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Based on their natural habitat reaching 35°C daily, they likely prefer warm conditions. Start around 24-28°C and observe colony activity. This is inferred from habitat data, no captive studies exist yet.
  • Humidity: High humidity is essential. In their natural habitat, the dense canopy and leaf litter create constantly damp conditions. Keep the nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide a humidity gradient so ants can choose their preferred moisture level.
  • Diapause: Unknown, no seasonal data has been published. The Western Ghats have mild winters compared to temperate regions, so they may not require a true hibernation period.
  • Nesting: Based on their leaf litter habitat and collection method, they likely nest in small cavities within rotting wood, under bark, or among dense leaf litter. In captivity, a naturalistic setup with plenty of organic material or a well-humidified Y-tong/plaster nest would likely work well. The key is maintaining high ambient humidity.
• Behavior: Not documented, this species is too newly described to have behavioral observations in captivity. Based on genus patterns, they are likely cryptic forest floor ants that forage slowly through leaf litter. Their small size means they are excellent escape artists, any gaps in your setup will be exploited. Related Lordomyrma species are generally non-aggressive and peaceful. They belong to the Myrmicinae subfamily, which typically have a sting capability, though their small size likely makes it ineffective against human skin.
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical due to their tiny size, use fine mesh and tight-fitting lids, no captive husbandry information exists, this is a newly described species with no established care protocols, high humidity requirements may lead to mold problems if ventilation is inadequate, wild-caught colonies may be difficult to obtain as they are only known from specific protected areas in India, queen and colony structure unknown, keepers may face uncertainty about optimal colony setup

Discovery and Taxonomy

Lordomyrma mewasinghi was formally described in 2023 by Tarun Dhadwal and Himender Bharti, making it one of the most recently described ant species available to hobbyists. The species was discovered in two protected areas of Kerala, India: Pampadum Shola National Park (at 1300m elevation) and Karian Shola National Park (at 650m elevation). The type specimens were collected using Winkler extraction, a standard method for sampling leaf litter ant communities. The species name honors Professor Mewa Singh, an Indian primatologist. It can be distinguished from related species like Lordomyrma nima and Lordomyrma bhutanensis by its smooth mandibles, reticulate rugose pronotum, and the distinctive sharply toothed anteroventral corner of the postpetiolar node ^[1].

Natural Habitat and Distribution

This species is known only from the Western Ghats of Kerala, India, a biodiversity hotspot renowned for its endemism. The Western Ghats mountain range runs parallel to India's western coast, and the parks where these ants were found feature elevations between 600m and 1800m. The habitat is characterized by dense forest canopy that creates deep shade, combined with thick leaf litter that maintains constant moisture. Daily temperatures in these areas can reach 35°C, but the forest floor remains cooler and more stable. The combination of high humidity, warm temperatures, and abundant organic matter makes this an ideal environment for small, cryptic ant species ^[1].

Morphology and Identification

Workers of Lordomyrma mewasinghi are tiny, measuring approximately 1.7mm in total length. The body is blackish brown, while the mandibles, antennae, and legs are reddish-brown. The head is longer than it is wide, broadest at the back and narrowing toward the front, with a slightly concave posterior margin. Their mandibles are smooth and triangular with 7 teeth. The mesosoma has a distinctive reticulate rugose sculpture, while the petiole and postpetiole are densely punctate on the sides but smooth on top. Compared to related species, L. mewasinghi is less pilose, it has fewer and shorter body hairs than either L. nima or L. bhutanensis. The propodeal spines are very short, only slightly longer than the propodeal lobes ^[1].

Housing and Nesting

Since this is a newly described species with no captive husbandry history, we must infer appropriate housing from its natural habitat. The leaf litter collection method indicates these are forest floor specialists that prefer dark, humid microhabitats. A naturalistic setup with a layer of moist leaf litter or a well-humidified Y-tong/plaster nest would be appropriate. The key requirement is maintaining high ambient humidity, the forest floor where they live is constantly damp due to the dense canopy preventing evaporation. Because workers are only about 1.7mm long, escape prevention must be excellent. Use tight-fitting lids and ensure any ventilation holes are covered with fine mesh. Start with a small test tube setup and only move to a larger formicarium once the colony reaches significant size.

Feeding and Diet

The diet of Lordomyrma mewasinghi has not been documented, but based on related Lordomyrma species and their small size, they are likely omnivorous predators that forage for tiny invertebrates in leaf litter. They probably accept small live prey like springtails, fruit flies, and other micro-arthropods. Some sugar sources may be accepted, but this cannot be confirmed. For a newly established colony, offer small live prey items and occasional sugar water, then observe what they accept. Remove any uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold issues in the humid setup they require.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

The natural habitat reaches daily temperatures of 35°C, suggesting this species prefers warm conditions. However, the forest floor environment is likely more stable and cooler than the peak air temperature indicates. Aim for temperatures in the range of 24-28°C as a starting point and observe your colony's activity patterns. If they become sluggish, try slightly warmer conditions, if they avoid the heated areas, reduce temperature. Regarding diapause or winter rest, no data exists for this species. The Western Ghats have relatively mild winters compared to temperate regions, so a dramatic temperature drop may not be necessary or beneficial. Monitor your colony throughout the year and adjust based on observed behavior rather than following a strict schedule designed for temperate species. ^[1]

Frequently Asked Questions

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References