Temnothorax variabilis

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Hard
• Origin & Habitat: Endemic to Crete, Greece, found in dry open areas and occasionally in litter of deciduous forests ^[1][2]
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed, likely single-queen colonies (monogyne) based on typical Temnothorax patterns
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unknown, queens have not been described in the literature ^[1]
  • Worker: Size data unavailable, only head length is known (0.556-0.654 mm), total body length is not given in any publication ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, likely under a few hundred workers based on genus patterns
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: 6-10 weeks (estimated from related Temnothorax species) (Development timeline has not been directly studied for this species)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at room temperature, roughly 20-24 °C ^[1]. These are Mediterranean ants from Crete, so they don't need extra heat. A gentle temperature gradient across the nest lets workers pick their preferred spot.
  • Humidity: Moderate to low, these ants are adapted to dry Mediterranean habitats ^[1][2]. Let the nest dry out partially between waterings. Provide a small damp area (e.g., a cotton plug with a little water) but avoid keeping things constantly moist.
  • Diapause: Likely yes, Crete has mild winters, so a 2-3 month cooling period around 10-15 °C is recommended from November to February ^[1][2].
  • Nesting: Prefers small, enclosed cavities, test tubes, Ytong nests with narrow chambers, or plaster nests with tight spaces work well. In the wild they nest under stones or in small crevices in dry areas ^[1].
• Behavior: Generally peaceful and non-aggressive, typical of Temnothorax. Workers are very active foragers but their tiny size makes them excellent escape artists, standard fine mesh (under 0.5 mm) is essential for outworlds and ventilation holes. As a member of Myrmicinae, they have a modified stinger used for smearing venom rather than stinging (a common defense in the tribe Crematogastrini). They pose no real threat to humans.
• Common Issues: tiny size means escapes are likely without extremely fine mesh barriers, limited availability, only described in 2018 and endemic to Crete, so colonies are hard to find, dry habitat requirements, overwatering can quickly kill the colony, very little captive care information exists, so keepers must rely on genus-level guesses, wild-caught colonies may carry endemic parasites that are not well understood

Housing and Nest Setup

Temnothorax variabilis is a very small ant, so your nest should be scaled accordingly. A test tube with a water reservoir and cotton plug works well for a founding colony. Keep the tube partially horizontal so the ants can move between the water source and dry areas ^[1]. For an established colony, use a Ytong (AAC) nest with narrow chambers or a small plaster nest. Avoid big, open spaces that can stress the colony. Their Mediterranean origin means the nest should not stay wet. Let the substrate dry out between water additions, a small damp cotton plug is enough. Place the nest in a quiet spot away from vibrations and direct sunlight ^[1][2].

Feeding and Diet

Like most Temnothorax, these ants are omnivorous. Offer sugar water or honey water on a cotton ball as a constant carbohydrate source ^[1]. For protein, provide tiny prey such as fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or small mealworms. Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent mold. They likely feed on aphid honeydew and small insects in the wild ^[1]. Feed small amounts twice a week, and watch whether the colony accepts different foods. Because they are so small, prey must be appropriately sized, not larger than the workers themselves.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Keep your colony at room temperature, ideally 20-24 °C ^[1]. These ants come from Crete, which has mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. They don't need extra heat. A gentle temperature gradient across the nest (one side slightly warmer) lets workers choose their preferred zone. During winter (November to February), reduce temperatures to 10-15 °C to mimic their natural seasonal cycle ^[1][2]. This simulated winter rest is likely important for long-term health. Don't feed heavily during this cool period, the ants will naturally slow down. Return to normal temperatures gradually in spring.

Behavior and Observation

Workers are active and forage readily, but their tiny size makes them easy to overlook. They are not aggressive and show no defensive reaction to gentle handling ^[1]. Their primary defense is a modified stinger that smears venom, rather than stinging, a trait shared with many members of the tribe Crematogastrini. Escape prevention is the biggest challenge: use baby powder or fluon on outworld walls, and cover all ventilation holes with mesh no larger than 0.5 mm. They naturally prefer to nest in small, enclosed spaces like cavities under stones or in dry twigs ^[1]. Since this species was only described in 2018,every observation you make in captivity can add to our knowledge of this rare island endemic ^[1][2].

Acquiring and Legal Considerations

Temnothorax variabilis is endemic to Crete, it occurs nowhere else in the world naturally ^[1][2]. Because of its restricted range and rarity, wild collection on Crete is not recommended and may be illegal. If you obtain a colony, make sure it comes from a reputable breeder who has propagated it in captivity. Check local regulations on keeping non-native ants in your country. Never release this species into the wild outside its native range, as it could become invasive or disrupt local ecosystems ^[1][2].

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