Temnothorax rottenbergii

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Sicily and surrounding Mediterranean regions including Croatia, Greece, Turkey, and Montenegro. This is a xerothermophilous species found in open, sunny habitats such as mountain pastures, grasslands, and edges of forests at elevations up to 1,300 meters ^[1][3].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is uncertain. Based on typical Temnothorax patterns, likely monogyne (single queen), but this has not been confirmed for this species.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: 4.2-4.4 mm ^[2]
  • Worker: 2-4 mm (inferred from Temnothorax genus)
  • Colony: Unknown, likely up to several hundred workers based on genus patterns
  • Growth: Unknown, moderate based on similar Temnothorax
  • Development: Unknown, estimated 6-8 weeks based on typical Myrmicinae at room temperature (Development times are unconfirmed for this species.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 20-24°C. As a Mediterranean species from warm, sunny habitats, they can tolerate temperatures into the mid-20s°C. Avoid temperatures below 18°C. Provide a temperature gradient with a heating cable on one side of the nest ^[1].
  • Humidity: Low to moderate. This species naturally lives in dry, rocky habitats. Keep the nest substrate slightly moist but allow it to dry out between waterings. Provide a shallow water dish for drinking. Avoid overwatering.
  • Diapause: Likely yes, winter diapause is probably required given its temperate Mediterranean range. If kept, provide 2-3 months at 10-15°C, but this is inferred from related species. No direct data available ^[1].
  • Nesting: Use a naturalistic setup with flat stones placed on a sandy-clay substrate. Alternatively, a Y-tong (AAC) or plaster nest with narrow chambers (3-4 mm tall) works well. In nature they nest under stones and in soil fissures ^[2]. Provide tight spaces as these ants feel secure in small chambers.
• Behavior: Docile and non-aggressive. Workers are small and timid, foraging individually or in small groups. They belong to the Myrmicinae subfamily which uses a 'smear' defense: a flattened stinger that wipes venom onto enemies rather than piercing. This is a general trait, not specific research on this species. Their tiny size (under 4 mm) means escape prevention is critical, use fine mesh (0.5 mm) or fluon barriers.
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical due to their very small size, use fine mesh or fluon, overwatering can be fatal, this is a dry-adapted species, wild-caught colonies may carry parasites that can decimate the colony in captivity, colonies may grow slowly, beginners should expect patience, temperature below 18°C can cause stress or death

Housing and Nest Setup

Temnothorax rottenbergii does best in a setup that mimics its rocky Mediterranean habitat. A naturalistic setup with flat stones placed on a sandy-clay substrate works well, allowing you to observe the colony under the stones just as they live in nature ^[2]. The stones absorb heat and create warm, stable conditions. Alternatively, use a Y-tong (AAC) or plaster nest with narrow chambers scaled to their tiny size, chambers should be no more than 3-4 mm tall. Avoid tall, open spaces, these ants feel secure in tight spaces. A small outworld for foraging is sufficient, they don't need large areas. Provide a water source in the outworld, such as a shallow dish with pebbles to prevent drowning.

Feeding and Diet

Like most Temnothorax, T. rottenbergii is omnivorous with a preference for protein. Offer small live prey such as fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or small mealworms 2-3 times per week. They will also accept sugar sources like honey water or diluted sugar water. Remove any uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent mold. Their natural diet in alpine meadows likely includes small insects and aphid honeydew.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

This is a warm-adapted species from the Mediterranean. Keep the nest area at 20-24°C, with a slight temperature gradient if possible. Use a heating cable on one side of the nest (on top, not underneath) to create a warm zone. During winter, a diapause period at 10-15°C is likely beneficial, though not confirmed for this species. Reduce feeding during diapause and keep the substrate slightly drier. Do not skip hibernation entirely, as it may help synchronize the colony's cycle.

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Temnothorax rottenbergii is docile and non-aggressive. Workers are small, timid, and forage individually or in small groups. They do not form large raiding parties. If threatened, they may use a 'smear' defense, rubbing venom onto enemies with a flattened stinger (a trait of the Myrmicinae subfamily). Colonies are likely monogyne (single queen), but this is unconfirmed. Founding behavior is unknown, it is not known whether the queen is claustral or semi-claustral. Mature colony size is uncertain but likely in the low hundreds.

Escape Prevention

Due to their very small size, excellent escape prevention is essential. Standard mesh may allow these ants to squeeze through. Use fine mesh with openings no larger than 0.5 mm, or apply fluon (insect barrier) to the rim of the outworld. Check for gaps in connections between nest and outworld. These ants are not strong climbers on smooth surfaces, but they will exploit any tiny gap. A moat of water or fluon around the nest entrance provides an effective barrier.

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