Scientific illustration of Chelaner insolescens ant - showing key identification features including head, thorax, and gaster.

Chelaner insolescens

Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Chelaner insolescens
Tribe
Solenopsidini
Subfamily
Myrmicinae
Author
Wheeler, 1934
Distribution
Found in 1 countries

Introduction

Chelaner insolescens is a small, variably colored ant native to the monsoonal regions of northern and western Australia. Workers measure 2.5–3 mm, with a dark orange to russet head and body, and amber legs and gaster . It is notable for being almost exclusively graminivorous (feeding on grass), which is rare among ants . The species is the only member of the insolescens-group within the genus Chelaner . Its morphology is highly variable, and it likely represents a complex of several similar species .

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Status by country, from Kass et al. 2022 & Wong et al. 2023

Native Invasive Introduced (indoor) Intercepted Unknown
Data Sources
Year Range 2000 - 2026

Quick Summary

  • Difficulty: Hard
  • Origin & Habitat: Chelaner insolescens is restricted to the monsoonal zone of northern Australia, particularly the Kimberley region in Western Australia [3][4]. It inhabits arid to semi-arid environments with distinct wet and dry seasons.
  • Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed – no research has documented queen number or organization.
  • Size & Growth:
    • Queen: Size data unavailable
    • Worker: 2.5–3 mm [1]
    • Colony: Unknown – no colony size data available
    • Growth: Unknown
    • Development: Unknown – no data available (Development timeline has not been studied for this species.)
  • Antkeeping:
    • Temperature: Keep at 24–30°C. Provide a gradient so ants can self-regulate. As a species from the monsoonal tropics, they need stable warmth.
    • Humidity: Moderate humidity, allow some drying between waterings. Their natural habitat has distinct wet and dry seasons, so avoid constant saturation. Provide a water source but don't waterlog the nest.
    • Diapause: Unknown – may have a dry-season dormancy period. If activity drops, reduce feeding and lower temperature slightly (18–22°C) for a few months, but this is speculative

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References

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This caresheet is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 .