Solenopsis papuana

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Expert
• Origin & Habitat: Native to Papua New Guinea and Pacific islands (Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, French Polynesia, etc.) ^[11][2]. Lives in wet to mesic forests between 300-1,100 m elevation, nesting under rocks or wood on the ground ^[12].
• Colony Type: Polygyne (multiple-queen) colonies can contain over 1,000 workers ^[12]. This ground-nesting species spends most of its time in soil and leaf litter ^[3].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: size data unavailable
  • Worker: ~1.5 mm ^[3][4]
  • Colony: up to 1,000+ workers ^[12]
  • Growth: Moderate (estimated from genus patterns)
  • Development: Unknown, likely around 5-7 weeks at warm temperatures based on related Solenopsis (No species-specific data available. Maintain stable warmth.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep warm and stable, roughly 24-28°C. Avoid temperatures below 20°C for long periods.
  • Humidity: Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. They naturally live in damp forest floor conditions. ^[3]
  • Diapause: No, tropical species, no hibernation required. Maintain warmth year-round.
  • Nesting: Ground-nesting species. Use test tubes for founding, then Y-tong (AAC), plaster, or soil nests for established colonies. Provide dark, humid chambers with moist substrate. ^[3][9]
• Behavior: Generalist feeders: prey on small insects, scavenge, and tend honeydew-producing Hemiptera ^[3]. They can sting, the sting is described as painful in some regions, but Hawaiian specimens have not caused reported complaints ^[13][14]. Workers recruit vigorously to food and defend resources with stings ^[5]. They approach baits from underneath and forage only short distances from the nest ^[9]. Escape risk is extreme due to tiny size (1.5mm), use fine mesh and tight seals.
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical because workers are only 1.5mm and can squeeze through tiny gaps, use fine mesh (0.5mm or smaller) and seal all connections, tendency to stay in substrate means you may rarely see workers unless the foraging area is set up with open space, this species is invasive in Hawaii, never release in non-native regions, and extreme containment measures are required, wild-caught colonies may carry parasites or face acclimation issues, can form large colonies quickly, ensure adequate space as the colony grows

Housing and Nest Setup

Because Solenopsis papuana is only 1.5mm, escape prevention is your top priority. Use fine mesh (0.5mm or smaller) on all ventilation openings and apply fluon to connections. A standard test tube setup with a water reservoir works well for founding a colony. For larger colonies, use a small formicarium with moist soil, plaster, or Y-tong (AAC) blocks. They naturally nest under rocks or wood in damp forest floor conditions, so keep the nest dark and the substrate moist ^[12][3]. Provide a small foraging arena since they forage only short distances ^[9].

Feeding and Diet

These ants are generalists that will take a variety of foods. Offer small live prey such as fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or other tiny insects. They also scavenge dead insects and accept protein baits like SPAM or peanut butter, which attract them strongly in field tests ^[9]. Sugar sources (honey water, sugar water) are readily consumed. In the wild they also tend honeydew-producing insects ^[3]. Feed small amounts every 2-3 days and remove uneaten prey after 24 hours. Their small size means all food items must be very small.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

As a tropical Pacific species, Solenopsis papuana prefers warm conditions around 24-28°C. It does not need any cooling or hibernation period, keep temperatures stable year-round. If your room is cooler, use a heating cable on one side of the nest to create a gentle warmth gradient. Avoid letting the nest drop below 20°C for long periods. Humidity should be maintained by keeping the nest substrate damp but not waterlogged, mimicking the moist forest floor they inhabit ^[12][3].

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Colonies are polygyne, meaning multiple queens can coexist, and mature nests can hold over 1,000 workers ^[12]. Workers spend most of their time in the soil and leaf litter, only occasionally climbing tree trunks up to 2m ^[3]. When food is found, they recruit nestmates quickly and defend the resource with stings ^[5]. They often approach food from underneath, which is a distinctive behavior ^[9]. In Hawaii, this species has been shown to reduce native spider populations ^[10] and impact the reproduction of picture-winged flies ^[3]. Colony growth is moderate.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

WARNING: Solenopsis papuana is an invasive species in Hawaii and has caused serious damage to native arthropod populations ^[3][10]. It has also been intercepted at New Zealand borders ^[15][4]. Because of this, you must take extreme care to prevent any escape. NEVER release this species into the wild. If you can no longer keep the colony, freeze it humanely or pass it to another responsible keeper. In regions where it is not native, keeping this species may be illegal or require permits, check local regulations. Responsible antkeeping means preventing any accidental introduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References