Temnothorax mekira

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Minami-iwo-to Island, Ogasawara Islands, Japan, at 916 m elevation on a volcano ^[1]. The natural habitat is unknown, but based on other Temnothorax species, they likely live in small cavities under stones or in rotting wood in forested areas.
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed. Typical Temnothorax species are monogyne (single queen), but no data exists for this species.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unknown, no data available.
  • Worker: 2.8 mm total length ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, estimated dozens to a few hundred workers based on genus patterns.
  • Growth: Unknown, likely moderate for a small Myrmicinae species.
  • Development: Estimated 6-10 weeks at optimal temperature, based on typical Temnothorax development. (No direct data for this species. Estimates are based on other small Temnothorax.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Unknown. Based on subtropical island origin, keep at 22-26°C. Avoid extremes.
  • Humidity: Unknown. Likely moderate to high, keep nest substrate moist but not waterlogged.
  • Diapause: Unknown. The subtropical location suggests no strong dormancy, but some related Japanese species benefit from a cool period.
  • Nesting: Use small cavities. Y-tong, plaster, or test tube nests work. Provide a moisture gradient with one damp area.
• Behavior: Peaceful and non-aggressive. Workers are active foragers that prefer to flee rather than fight. Their tiny size (2.8 mm) makes escape prevention critical. They have a spatulate stinger used to smear venom, but it is not painful to humans.
• Common Issues: tiny size makes escape likely without fine mesh (0.5 mm or smaller) on all openings, lack of species-specific care data means you must rely on general Temnothorax guidelines and adjust, overheating risk due to small colony and limited thermal mass, wild-caught colonies may have unknown parasites or diseases

Housing and Nest Setup

Because workers are only 2.8 mm ^[1], they need tight, enclosed spaces. A small test tube with a water reservoir works for founding and small colonies. For larger groups, use a Y-tong (AAC) or plaster nest with narrow chambers. Keep the nest material damp but not flooded. Escape prevention is critical: use fine mesh (0.5 mm or smaller) on all openings and check seals regularly.

Feeding and Diet

No dietary studies exist for T. mekira. Based on related Temnothorax, offer a constant source of sugar water (1:4 honey/water) and small protein items like fruit flies, springtails, or crushed mealworms. Feed 2-3 times per week and remove uneaten prey within 24 hours to avoid mold. Adjust based on colony acceptance.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Optimal temperature is unknown. The volcanic island origin suggests stable warmth. Keep at 22-26°C, avoid extremes. If your colony slows down in winter, a cool period (10-15°C for 8-12 weeks) may be beneficial, but this is unconfirmed. ^[1]

Colony Establishment

Founding type is unconfirmed. If you obtain a queen, set her up in a small test tube with water, keep it dark and undisturbed, and assume she will raise the first brood without feeding (common among Myrmicinae). Once workers appear, start offering small amounts of sugar water and tiny prey. Growth is expected to be gradual, with first workers appearing after about 6-10 weeks in optimal conditions.

Behavior and Handling

T. mekira is a peaceful ant that rarely shows aggression. It belongs to the subfamily Myrmicinae and tribe Crematogastrini, which includes species with a modified spatulate stinger used to smear venom onto enemies rather than pierce them. This defense is not painful to humans. Workers are active foragers and may use tandem running to recruit nestmates. Their tiny size means they can exploit any gap in the enclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References