Bothriomyrmex pubens

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Expert
• Origin & Habitat: North Africa, confirmed from Tunisia (Le Kef) and Algeria. Inhabits Mediterranean and semi-arid regions of the Palaearctic zone ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Temporary social parasite. Queens invade host colonies (primarily Tapinoma species), eliminate the host queen, and use host workers to raise their first brood.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: size data unavailable, no specific measurements for this species
  • Worker: size data unavailable, no specific measurements for this species
  • Colony: unknown for this species
  • Growth: unknown
  • Development: unknown for this species (Development depends on host colony resources during the parasitic phase. First workers are raised by host workers.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at room temperature, roughly 20-26°C. Mediterranean species prefer warm conditions but can tolerate normal indoor temperatures.
  • Humidity: Moderate humidity. These ants inhabit Mediterranean regions with dry-to-moderate conditions. Allow the nest to dry partially between waterings.
  • Diapause: Likely, most North African Mediterranean species enter a winter rest period. Reduce temperature to 10-15°C for 2-3 months during winter.
  • Nesting: Cannot found colonies independently. Requires a host Tapinoma colony to establish. In captivity, you must introduce the queen to an established Tapinoma colony. Natural nests are within host colonies.
• Behavior: Non-aggressive by nature, they rely on host workers and avoid confrontation. Workers are small and not particularly defensive. Escape risk is moderate due to small size. They spend most of their time within the host nest.
• Common Issues: establishment failure, getting the queen accepted by host colony is extremely difficult and often fails, host colony rejection, Tapinoma workers may kill the invading queen, colony collapse, if host queen is not eliminated properly or if host workers reject the parasite brood, identification difficulty, requires confirmed Tapinoma host colony for successful keeping, very limited availability, this species is rarely available in the antkeeping hobby

Understanding Temporary Social Parasitism

Bothriomyrmex pubens is a temporary social parasite, this is the most critical aspect of keeping this species. Unlike most ant species where the queen founds a colony alone, Bothriomyrmex queens must invade an established colony of their host species (typically Tapinoma species) to establish their colony. The parasite queen enters the host nest, locates and kills the host queen, then uses the host's worker force to raise her own brood. Once the first workers of the parasite species emerge, they gradually replace the host workers until the colony becomes purely Bothriomyrmex. This process can take several months to over a year. In captivity, you cannot start a colony from a single queen, you must introduce her to an existing, healthy Tapinoma colony. Even experienced keepers report high failure rates with this method.

Host Colony Requirements

Successful keeping of Bothriomyrmex pubens requires a healthy Tapinoma colony as the host. Tapinoma species are small, fast-moving ants that readily accept sugar and protein foods. They are common in the Mediterranean and some species are kept by hobbyists. You will need to maintain both the host colony and the parasite queen simultaneously. The host colony should be well-established with many workers before introducing the parasite queen. Some keepers report better success by introducing the queen during the host's nuptial flight season when the colony is most receptive to new queens. The introduction method typically involves placing the parasite queen near the host colony's queen chamber or directly onto the brood pile, though success rates vary significantly.

Feeding and Nutrition

During the parasitic phase, Bothriomyrmex pubens does not forage for itself, host workers provide all nutrition. Once established, workers will likely accept similar foods to their hosts: sugar water, honey, and small protein sources like fruit flies or small mealworm pieces. Feed the host colony standard ant foods, the parasite colony will consume through trophallaxis (food sharing between ants). Sugar sources should be available constantly. Protein should be offered several times per week. Remove uneaten food promptly to prevent mold.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Bothriomyrmex pubens originates from Tunisia and Algeria, which have hot summers and mild winters. Keep the colony at room temperature, ideally 22-26°C during the active season. They can tolerate temperatures down to 15°C without issues. During winter (roughly November through February in the Northern Hemisphere), reduce temperatures to 10-15°C to simulate natural conditions. This winter rest period is important for colony health and may trigger reproductive behavior. Do not let temperatures drop below 5°C or exceed 30°C. ^[1]

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Bothriomyrmex pubens has a limited distribution in North Africa. It is not commonly available in the antkeeping hobby, and established colonies are rarely traded. If you obtain a queen or colony, ensure it was legally collected and exported. Never release this or any non-native ant species in regions where they are not native, they could become invasive or disrupt native ecosystems. If you can no longer keep your colony, consider offering it to another experienced keeper rather than releasing it. ^[1][2]

Frequently Asked Questions

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References