Myrmica excelsa

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Southern Russian Far East, northeastern China, Korean Peninsula, and Japan. In Russia, inhabits fir and mixed forests, in Korea, prefers deciduous and mixed forests (oak, beech, sweet chestnut, pine) at 100-650m altitude, in Japan, found in grasslands at 500-1500m elevation ^[2][3][4].
• Colony Type: Likely single-queen (monogyne) colonies based on typical Myrmica genus patterns. No specific research on colony structure for this species.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: ~5.1mm total length ^[1]
  • Worker: 4.0-4.4mm total length ^[1]
  • Colony: Up to several hundred workers, typical for Myrmica species
  • Growth: Moderate, typical for Myrmica genus
  • Development: 6-10 weeks at optimal temperature based on genus-level Myrmica data (Development time inferred from related Myrmica species, specific data for M. excelsa unavailable)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep around 20-24°C. This is a thermophilous (warmth-loving) species but not extreme, provide a gentle temperature gradient ^[2].
  • Humidity: Moderate to high, they naturally inhabit forest floors with leaf litter. Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, with some drier areas available.
  • Diapause: Yes, requires a winter hibernation period. Nuptial flights occur in August-September, indicating a temperate seasonal cycle ^[2].
  • Nesting: In captivity, they do well in test tubes initially, then can be moved to Y-tong or plaster nests. Provide damp substrate and consider adding small stones or pieces of wood to simulate their natural dead wood/under-stone nesting sites.
• Behavior: Workers are very cryptic and secretive, they forage under leaf litter and rarely venture into open spaces. They are not aggressive and typically avoid confrontation. Escape prevention is important as they can squeeze through small gaps. They show typical Myrmica foraging behavior, searching for small prey and sugar sources near the nest entrance.
• Common Issues: colonies can fail if kept too dry, their forest floor habitat requires consistent moisture, their cryptic foraging means you may not see them much, leading to underfeeding if food is not monitored, hibernation is essential, skipping winter rest can weaken or kill colonies, slow growth compared to tropical species may frustrate beginners who overfeed and cause mold problems, tiny foragers can escape through standard test tube cotton if not properly sealed

Housing and Nest Setup

Myrmica excelsa does well in standard test tube setups for founding colonies. Use a test tube with a water reservoir sealed with cotton, the ants will drink from the water section and maintain humidity through the tube. Once the colony reaches 15-20 workers, consider moving to a Y-tong or plaster nest that allows you to maintain moderate humidity. These ants naturally nest under stones or in dead wood, so adding small stones or wood pieces to the outworld can make them feel more at home. Because they are cryptic foragers, keep the outworld relatively simple with leaf litter or a thin soil layer where they can forage without feeling exposed. ^[2]

Feeding and Diet

Like most Myrmica species, M. excelsa is omnivorous. Offer sugar water or honey as a constant energy source, and provide protein in the form of small insects like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or mealworms. They are not aggressive hunters, so prey should be small and easy to capture. In the wild, they forage under leaf litter for tiny arthropods, so their prey drive is moderate rather than intense. Feed protein 2-3 times per week and keep sugar sources available at all times. Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent mold.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

This is a thermophilous species, meaning it prefers warmer conditions than many temperate ants, but it still needs a distinct winter rest period. Keep the nest around 20-24°C during the active season, with a slight gradient if possible. In late autumn (around October-November), gradually reduce temperature to simulate winter, aim for 5-10°C for 3-4 months. This hibernation period is critical for colony health and triggers reproductive behavior. Nuptial flights occur in August-September in the wild, so timing the hibernation right helps prepare colonies for mating flights. ^[2]

Behavior and Observation

M. excelsa workers are among the more secretive Myrmica species. They rarely forage in open areas and prefer to stay under cover, leaf litter, stones, or debris. This makes them less exciting to watch than some ant species, but their subtle behaviors are still fascinating. They are not particularly aggressive and will typically flee rather than fight when threatened. In the nest, they maintain typical Myrmica social structure with a single queen and workers caring for brood. Because of their small size and cryptic nature, excellent escape prevention is important, even small gaps can allow workers to slip through. ^[2]

Frequently Asked Questions

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References