Nylanderia faisonensis

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Easy
• Origin & Habitat: Eastern United States, ranging from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Texas and Arkansas. Inhabits mesic deciduous forests and pine forests, nesting in leaf litter, rotten wood, and shallow soil ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Single-queen colonies (monogyne), based on observations of a single queen living deep under leaf litter ^[4].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: ~3.37-4.14 mm ^[1]
  • Worker: ~1.85-2.56 mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Up to 150 workers ^[5][3]
  • Growth: Moderate
  • Development: Estimated 6-8 weeks (Reproductives are reared August through December, overwinter in the nest, and conduct nuptial flights between March and May, with southern populations flying earlier ^[1].)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at room temperature, roughly 20-24°C, but avoid temperatures above 30°C due to low heat tolerance (CTmax 37°C) ^[6][7].
  • Humidity: Keep the nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, reflecting their natural habitat in leaf litter and rotting wood ^[1][2].
  • Diapause: Yes, provide a winter dormancy period of 2-3 months at 10-15°C during winter ^[1].
  • Nesting: Prefer shallow nests in leaf litter, rotten wood, or soil. In captivity, use Y-tong, plaster, or soil nests with narrow chambers, avoid acrylic nests ^[1][4].
• Behavior: Workers are submissive and non-aggressive toward other ants, relying on fast food discovery. They are tiny (under 3 mm), so escape prevention is critical with fine mesh barriers. They do not sting and are peaceful toward humans ^[1][3].
• Common Issues: tiny size means escapes are likely without fine mesh barriers, they can squeeze through small gaps ^[1], low heat tolerance, keep away from direct heat sources and avoid temperatures above 30°C ^[6][7], colonies are small (max ~150 workers) so expect limited growth ^[5][3], shallow, fragmented natural nests may not suit deep formicarium setups, prefer surface-level nesting ^[4], wild-caught colonies may be targeted by an undescribed social parasite in northern Florida ^[1]

Nest Preferences

In the wild, Nylanderia faisonensis nests in shallow, temporary locations in leaf litter, rotten wood, and soil ^[1]. Nests are often fragmented, with a single queen deep under leaf litter and workers near the surface ^[4]. For captive care, replicate this with a naturalistic setup using moist soil or peat mixed with rotting wood and leaf litter, or use Y-tong or plaster nests with narrow chambers ^[1][4][2]. Avoid tall, open spaces.

Feeding and Diet

This species is a dietary generalist, foraging for sugars, proteins, and small insects ^[3]. They discover food quickly, with a high discovery rate compared to other forest ants ^[8]. In captivity, offer sugar water or honey constantly, and protein like small crickets or mealworms twice weekly ^[3][2]. Remove uneaten prey to prevent mold.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

This species has low heat tolerance, with a CTmax of 37°C ^[6][7]. Keep temperatures at 20-24°C and avoid above 30°C. They require winter diapause: reproductives overwinter and fly in spring (March-May) ^[1]. Provide 2-3 months at 10-15°C during winter ^[1].

Behavior and Temperament

Workers are submissive and non-aggressive, relying on fast food discovery rather than fighting ^[1][3]. They are tiny and active, with high escape risk, use fine mesh barriers. They do not sting and are peaceful toward humans ^[1].

Colony Structure and Growth

Colonies are small, with up to 150 workers at maturity ^[5][3]. Growth is moderate, with reproductives reared August-December, overwintering, and flying in spring ^[1][4]. New colonies establish from mated queens in spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References