Myrmecina undulata

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Hard
• Origin & Habitat: Sumatra and Laut Island (Southeast Borneo), Indonesia, tropical rainforest environment ^[1][2]
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed colony structure. Colonies appear small, typically under 150 workers based on related species ^[3].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Size data unavailable, queen measurements not described in original description ^[4]
  • Worker: Approximately 2-4mm, inferred from Myrmecina genus range ^[3]
  • Colony: Up to 150 workers based on related Myrmecina species ^[3]
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unconfirmed (No direct data exists for this species.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 24-28°C, tropical species requiring warm, stable conditions. Use a heating cable on one side of the nest to create a gentle gradient if room temperature is below this range.
  • Humidity: High humidity preferred (70-85%). Keep the nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. These ants likely inhabit damp forest floor environments in nature.
  • Diapause: No, as a tropical species from Indonesia, they do not require hibernation. Maintain year-round warm conditions.
  • Nesting: No specific data exists, but Myrmecina species typically nest in soil, rotting wood, or under stones in humid forest habitats. A naturalistic setup with moist substrate or a Y-tong/plaster nest works well.
• Behavior: Behavior is unstudied for this species. Based on genus patterns, they are likely docile and non-aggressive, with specialized predatory behavior toward oribatid mites. Workers are small and may be prone to escaping through small gaps. Their small colony size means colonies remain manageable but grow slowly.
• Common Issues: no specific biological data exists, all care is estimated from genus patterns, small colony size means colonies are fragile and slow to recover from losses, escape prevention is important given their tiny worker size, tropical humidity requirements can lead to mold issues if ventilation is poor, specialized diet requirements (mite predation) may be difficult to meet in captivity

Appearance and Identification

Myrmecina undulata workers are small ants, approximately 2-4mm in length, with a shiny black body and distinctive long, bristly hairs covering their body ^[3]. The most notable identification features include a clypeus (the area above the mandibles) with a distinctly concave anterior edge, and propodeal spines that are relatively short but distinct, pointing backward rather than forward ^[1]. The mandibles have 7-8 acute teeth along the masticatory margin. Queens are described from the original type series but their exact measurements are not recorded ^[4]. These ants can be distinguished from similar species like Myrmecina graminicola by their very acute eumetanotal spine which is smaller than that of M. graminicola ^[2].

Distribution and Habitat

This species is known only from Sumatra and Laut Island (Southeast Borneo) in Indonesia ^[1][2]. The original type specimens were collected by Elio Modigliani from Si Rambé in Sumatra and Pulo Laut (Laut Island) ^[4]. As a tropical species from the Indonesian archipelago, these ants inhabit rainforest environments with high humidity. The specific microhabitat preferences are unknown, but Myrmecina species in general are typically found in soil, under stones, or in rotting wood in damp forest areas ^[3]. The Indomalayan region, including Sundaland where this species occurs, contains at least 6 Myrmecina species and is a biodiversity hotspot for this genus ^[3].

Feeding and Diet

The diet of Myrmecina undulata specifically is unknown, but two Japanese species in this genus have been observed specializing in predation on oribatid mites (tiny soil mites) ^[3]. This suggests the species may be a specialized predator. In captivity, you should attempt to culture or provide small oribatid mites or other micro-arthropods. General Myrmicinae diet recommendations include small insects, but avoid large prey items given their tiny worker size. Sugar sources may be accepted but should not be the primary food. Start with small live prey like springtails or micro-arthropods and observe acceptance. Do not rely on sugar water unless acceptance is confirmed through trial and error.

Temperature and Humidity Requirements

As a tropical species from Indonesia, Myrmecina undulata requires warm and humid conditions. Keep the nest area at 24-28°C with a heating cable on one side if your room temperature falls below this range. Place the heating on top of the nest to create gentle warmth without excessive drying. Humidity should be maintained at 70-85%, the substrate should feel consistently moist but never waterlogged. Provide a water tube for drinking access. Since these are tropical ants, they do not require hibernation or diapause. Maintain stable year-round conditions similar to their native Sumatra/Borneo rainforest habitat.

Colony Structure and Growth

Based on related Myrmecina species, colonies of this species are expected to remain small, typically containing up to 150 workers ^[3]. The colony type (single queen vs multiple queens) is unconfirmed for this species. Queen polymorphism has been observed in some Myrmecina species, but whether M. undulata exhibits this is unknown ^[3]. Growth rate is unknown. The timeline from egg to first worker is unconfirmed. Nanitics (first workers) will likely be smaller than normal workers, as is common in the genus.

Nesting in Captivity

No specific nesting data exists for this species, but Myrmecina ants typically nest in soil, under stones, or in rotting wood in humid environments. For captivity, a naturalistic setup with moist substrate works well, or a Y-tong (AAC) nest with narrow chambers scaled to their small size. Plaster nests can also work well given their humidity requirements. Ensure the nest has adequate ventilation to prevent mold while maintaining high humidity. The chambers should be appropriately sized for a small colony, avoid large, open spaces. A test tube setup can work for founding colonies, but monitor humidity carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References