Pheidole smythiesii

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Easy
• Origin & Habitat: Native to the Himalayan and Indo-Chinese subregions, including India, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, and southern China. Typically inhabits woody habitats and sometimes open areas, nesting in soil ^[1]. Found at elevations from 550m in Yunnan secondary forests to 3000m in the Himalayas ^[2][3].
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed, the research context does not explicitly state the colony structure.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, inferred from Pheidole genus (~6-8mm)
  • Worker: Size data unavailable, inferred from Pheidole genus: minor workers typically 1-2mm, major workers 2-3mm
  • Colony: Up to several hundred workers, inferred from typical Pheidole colonies
  • Growth: Moderate, inferred from genus patterns
  • Development: Estimated 6-8 weeks at optimal temperature, inferred from Pheidole genus patterns (Development may vary with temperature, first workers (nanitics) are smaller than normal.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep the nest at warm temperatures, roughly 22-26°C, based on typical antkeeping practices for similar species.
  • Humidity: Keep the nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, as this species nests in soil.
  • Diapause: Yes, a winter cool period is recommended based on seasonal activity data ^[4]. Provide 2-3 months at 10-15°C during winter.
  • Nesting: Soil-nesting species. In captivity, use test tube setups for founding, and Y-tong, plaster, or soil nests for established colonies ^[1].
• Behavior: Workers are active foragers with seasonal variation in activity ^[4]. They tend aphid colonies for honeydew ^[1]. Major workers are not particularly aggressive, but escape prevention is critical due to small minor workers.
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical, minor workers are very small and can squeeze through gaps, colonies may struggle if kept too cold, activity drops in winter months ^[4], overfeeding can lead to mold in test tube setups, foundating queens may abandon nests if disturbed too frequently, lack of protein sources may limit colony growth

Housing and Nest Setup

Pheidole smythiesii is a soil-nesting species that adapts well to standard antkeeping setups. For founding colonies, a test tube setup with a water reservoir works well. Once the colony reaches a moderate size, move them to a formicarium such as Y-tong (AAC), plaster, or soil nests. Because minor workers are very small, ensure excellent escape prevention with tight-fitting lids and barriers ^[1].

Feeding and Diet

This species is omnivorous. In the wild, workers tend aphid colonies for honeydew ^[1]. In captivity, offer sugar water or honey water constantly, and provide protein sources like small insects 2-3 times per week. Remove uneaten prey to prevent mold.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Keep the nest at warm temperatures, roughly 22-26°C, for optimal growth. This species shows seasonal activity patterns, with lower activity in winter ^[4]. Provide a 2-3 month diapause at 10-15°C during winter months.

Colony Development

Colony growth is moderate. First workers emerge in 6-8 weeks under warm conditions, inferred from Pheidole genus patterns. Major workers develop as the colony matures and help with defense and food processing.

Behavior and Observation

Workers are active foragers and show seasonal variation in activity ^[4]. They tend aphid colonies, demonstrating farming behavior ^[1]. Major workers use their large heads for defense, but the species is not aggressive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Report an Issue

The current care sheet is based fully on literature. See inconsistencies, or something that's incorrect? Please report here, it will be resolved after review from an admin. Contributing to the blogs tab also helps providing information, to make us be able to further improve the caresheets. Thank you for your support!

References