Nesomyrmex anduzei

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Neotropical region from Costa Rica through Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador. Lives in Amazon lowland rainforest, nesting arboreally in tree hollows or under bark. Also found near human‐made wooden structures by water ^[1][4].
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed – whether colonies are single‐queen (monogyne) or multi‐queen (polygyne) is not documented.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Undocumented – queen not described in detail ^[3]
  • Worker: Body length unavailable, workers are one of the larger Nesomyrmex species based on mesosoma measurements. Mean mass
  • Colony: Unknown – no colony size data available
  • Growth: Unknown – no growth data available
  • Development: Unconfirmed. Based on typical tropical Myrmicinae development, estimate 4–8 weeks at 24–28°C. (Timeline is an estimate, no direct studies exist.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Warm tropical conditions needed – aim for 24–28°C. Provide a slight gradient so the colony can choose. Keepers without heating may find room temperature (20–22°C) too cool for brood development.
  • Humidity: High humidity is critical – these ants come from Amazon rainforest. Keep the nest substrate consistently moist but not dripping. Use a sealed nest with a water reservoir or regular misting. Avoid excessive moisture that causes mold.
  • Diapause: No – tropical species, no hibernation needed. Maintain stable warmth year‑round.
  • Nesting: Arboreal nester – prefers elevated, enclosed spaces like tree hollows or under bark. In captivity, Y‑tong (AAC) or plaster nests with narrow chambers work well. Test tubes can be accepted if tilted upward. Avoid deep soil nests.
• Behavior: Active foragers, arboreal but occasionally forage on the ground. Workers are tiny (
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical due to tiny size – use fine mesh (≤0.5 mm), high humidity needs can lead to mold if ventilation is poor, sensitive to cold – colony may decline if temperature drops below 24°C, founding is unconfirmed, making colony establishment uncertain

Natural History and Distribution

Nesomyrmex anduzei is a Neotropical ant found from Costa Rica to Peru and Brazil ^[1][3]. Originally described from a cave in Venezuela, it was classed as a trogloxene (cave visitor) ^[2], but later records show it is an arboreal rainforest ant. In Ecuador, specimens were hand collected on a wooden dock at Limoncocha lagoon and by canopy fogging in Amazon lowland forest at 220–250 m elevation ^[1]. The Ecuadorian morphotype (the 'Colombian variety') has a more uniform body color and slightly different sculpturing, but is not considered a separate species ^[1].

Identification and Morphology

Workers belong to the larger Nesomyrmex group. Key identification features: humeri (shoulders) are strongly angled and serrated, the mesonotum is rounded without triangular side lobes, the antennal scape exceeds the posterior head margin, antennae have 12 segments ^[1]. They differ from similar Nesomyrmex pulcher and N. sculptiventris by the serrated humeri and egg‑shaped petiole. Workers are very small, weighing less than 1 mg ^[5].

Housing and Nest Preferences

As an arboreal species, Nesomyrmex anduzei prefers elevated, enclosed nest sites. In captivity, Y‑tong (AAC) or plaster nests with narrow chambers work well. Test tubes can be used if positioned at an angle to mimic a tree cavity. Keep nests in a warm, humid environment. Avoid deep soil setups – they may reject them. Ensure all openings are sealed with fine mesh or tape to prevent escapes ^[1][4].

Temperature and Humidity Requirements

Tropical Amazon species requires warm, stable conditions. Keep temperature between 24–28°C, room temperature (20–22°C) may slow or stop brood development. Humidity should be high (70–80% RH). Achieve this by keeping the nest substrate moist – use a water reservoir or mist regularly. Ensure good ventilation to avoid mold. A humidity gradient (one damp side, one drier side) helps the colony self‑regulate.

Feeding and Diet

Specific diet is unstudied, but like most Myrmicinae they are likely generalist omnivores. Offer sugar water or honey regularly (every 2–3 days) and small protein prey 1–2 times a week, such as fruit flies or pinhead crickets. Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent mold. Because they are arboreal, place food at elevated positions in the outworld.

Behavior and Colony Care

Workers are active and forage both in the canopy and occasionally on the ground. They are not aggressive and their stinger is too small to harm humans. Their tiny size (under 1 mg) means they can escape through tiny gaps – use very fine mesh (0.5 mm or smaller) on all ventilation holes. No swimming ability has been observed ^[5]. Provide climbing structures in the outworld. Founding and colony development are undocumented, so be patient and maintain stable conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References