Myrmica kothiensis

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Endemic to the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, India. Found at 2479 m altitude in patchy Cedrus forest with grass cover, on shady mountain slopes. Workers nest under stones in highly moist soil ^[2][3]. The region experiences heavy winter snow from October to mid-March ^[2].
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed – only worker caste has been described. Based on related Myrmica species, likely forms single-queen colonies, but this needs study ^[1].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unknown – queens have not been described ^[1]
  • Worker: 4.95 mm total length (holotype) ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown – no colony size data available ^[1]
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unknown – no direct development studies exist. Based on typical Myrmica patterns, possibly 6–10 weeks at optimal temperature, but this is speculative. (No species-specific timeline has been documented. Temperature near 20 °C is likely best for development.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep the nest at around 20 °C, matching the recorded natural nest temperature ^[3]. Provide a gentle temperature gradient. This high-altitude species prefers cool conditions and does not tolerate heat well.
  • Humidity: High humidity is essential. Workers were collected from highly moist soil under stones ^[2]. Keep the nest substrate consistently damp but not waterlogged. Provide a water source.
  • Diapause: Yes – the natural habitat has snow cover from October to mid-March ^[2]. Provide a winter dormancy period by reducing temperature to 5–10 °C for 3–4 months.
  • Nesting: In nature they nest under stones in moist soil. In captivity, use a naturalistic setup with soil substrate and flat stones, or a Y-tong/plaster nest with good moisture retention.
• Behavior: Myrmica species have a functional stinger, and this species likely uses it when threatened. Workers are probably active foragers, hunting small insects and tending aphids. They are moderately defensive. Escape risk is moderate for ants around 5 mm, standard barriers are sufficient.
• Common Issues: queen and colony structure unconfirmed – only workers have been described, making colony founding guidance difficult, winter dormancy is essential – failing to provide a proper diapause may weaken or kill the colony, high humidity requirements – colonies can fail if kept in dry conditions, limited availability – this is a rarely kept species with no established captive breeding history, temperature sensitivity – being a high-altitude species, they may not tolerate warm conditions

Origin and Natural Habitat

Myrmica kothiensis was discovered in Kothi, Himachal Pradesh, India, at 32.319325°N,77.197945°E, elevation 2479 m ^[1]. The area is in the foothills of the Peer-Panjal range of the Himalayas, with patchy Cedrus (deodar) forest and grass cover ^[2]. Workers were found under a stone in highly moist soil on a shady mountain slope ^[3]. The region is snow-covered from October to mid-March, indicating the species is adapted to cold winters ^[2]. One nest temperature was recorded at 20 °C ^[3].

Identification and Morphology

Workers of Myrmica kothiensis have a total length of about 4.95 mm (holotype) ^[1]. Head is longer than wide with slightly convex sides, mandibles have 8 teeth, antennae are 12-segmented with a 4-segmented club, feebly curved at base without a lobe or carina ^[1][2]. The propodeal spines are thick, long, and straight (not curved at tips) ^[1]. The body is brownish-black, while mandibles, legs, and antennae are yellowish-brown ^[2]. Only the worker caste has been described, queens and males remain unknown ^[1].

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Set the nest temperature around 20 °C, based on the only recorded wild nest temperature ^[3]. Provide a temperature gradient so workers can self-regulate. As a high-altitude Himalayan species, Myrmica kothiensis prefers cool conditions. Avoid prolonged temperatures above 25 °C. Winter diapause is critical: the natural habitat has snow from October to mid-March ^[2]. Simulate this by keeping the colony at 5–10 °C for 3–4 months during winter. Failure to provide a proper dormancy period will likely weaken or kill the colony.

Humidity and Nesting

Myrmica kothiensis requires consistently high humidity. In the wild, workers were collected from highly moist soil under stones ^[2]. Keep the nest substrate damp but not waterlogged. A test tube setup with a water reservoir works for small colonies, for larger groups, use a plaster or Y-tong nest with good moisture retention, or a naturalistic soil setup with flat stones on top. Provide a separate water source (e.g., a test tube or water dish).

Feeding and Diet

No specific dietary studies exist for this species. Based on general Myrmica behavior, workers are likely opportunistic predators and foragers. Offer small insects such as fruit flies, small crickets, or mealworms as protein sources. Sugar water or honey may be accepted, though some Myrmica show limited interest in sweets. Feed protein 2–3 times per week and remove uneaten prey after 24–48 hours to prevent mold. Honeydew-mimicking products can be tried.

Colony Structure and Development

The colony structure of Myrmica kothiensis is unknown because only the worker caste has been described ^[1]. This is one of the least-studied Myrmica species. Based on related species in the inezae group, colonies are likely monogyne (single queen), but this is unconfirmed. No data exist on colony size, growth rate, or development timeline. If queens are discovered, founding is probably claustral, as in most Myrmica. Development from egg to worker likely takes 6–10 weeks at around 20 °C, but this is an estimate from genus patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References