Pheidole umphreyi

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Hard
• Origin & Habitat: Neotropical region: Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia ^[2][1]. Found in coffee plantations and tropical forests, nesting under bark and in rotting wood ^[1].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, inferred from Pheidole genus as small ants.
  • Worker: Size data unavailable, majors and minors are polymorphic ^[1].
  • Colony: Maximum colony size unknown, but typical Pheidole colonies can have up to hundreds of workers.
  • Growth: Estimated moderate.
  • Development: Estimated 6-10 weeks. (Development time is estimated from related species in the genus.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep warm, around 24-28°C, based on Neotropical origin.
  • Humidity: Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, based on nesting in rotting wood ^[1].
  • Diapause: No diapause required, as a tropical species.
  • Nesting: Use wood-based or plaster nests that retain moisture ^[1].
• Behavior: Pheidole species are generally docile and not aggressive toward keepers. Escape risk is moderate due to small size.
• Common Issues: no captive husbandry data exists, this is an essentially unknown species in the antkeeping hobby., small colony size at founding makes colonies vulnerable to stress., rotting wood nesting preference means they need humid, wood-based housing which can mold if ventilation is poor., wild-caught colonies may carry parasites or diseases that can cause captive failures., lack of species-specific care information means keepers must rely on general Pheidole husbandry.

Nest Preferences

In the wild, Pheidole umphreyi nests under bark and in rotting wood ^[1]. This indicates a preference for humid, wood-based nesting sites. For captive care, provide a nest that mimics these conditions, such as a naturalistic setup with rotting wood pieces, a Y-tong formicarium with moisture-retaining substrate, or a plaster nest kept consistently humid. The nest should have chambers scaled to their small size. Avoid completely dry setups as this species depends on moisture for brood development. Some ventilation is necessary to prevent mold, but excessive airflow will dry out the nest.

Feeding and Diet

Specific feeding data for Pheidole umphreyi does not exist, but Pheidole species are generalist omnivores. They typically consume small insects, seeds, and honeydew. In captivity, offer a varied diet including small live prey like fruit flies, protein sources such as mealworms, and sugar sources like honey water. Minor workers handle most foraging, while majors help break down larger food items. Feed protein 2-3 times per week and provide constant access to sugar water. Remove uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold.

Temperature and Care

As a Neotropical species, this ant requires warm temperatures. Aim for 24-28°C in the nest area, with a slight gradient allowing workers to self-regulate. Room temperature may be sufficient if your home stays in this range. If needed, use a heating cable on one side of the nest. Do not provide hibernation, this species does not experience cold winters in its native range. Maintain year-round activity with consistent warmth.

Behavior and Colony Structure

Pheidole umphreyi displays the characteristic dimorphic worker caste of the genus, major workers with larger heads and minor workers with smaller heads. This polymorphism is functional: majors defend the colony and process hard food, while minors handle daily tasks. Colonies likely start with a single queen, but founding behavior is unconfirmed. The first workers will be smaller than normal. This species is not aggressive toward humans and poses no danger due to its tiny size.

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