8 replies to this topic

[Ants4fun]

Today, while looking in my garden, I found what I believe to be a Strumigenys queen right by a large Ponera pennsylvanica colony. At first I thought it was just a worker, but then I noticed a particularly large thorax. I looked closer, and saw that it was in fact larger than her head. I saw these ants all the time in Costa rica, so I knew the difference. What do you guys recommend for care? She is ridiculously small, like a tiny bit more than a milimiter... 

Edited by Ants4fun, July 12 2015 - 12:49 PM.

[Ants4fun]

Though it might also be Pyramica due to the lack of trap jaws...

Edited by Ants4fun, May 21 2015 - 1:53 PM.

[123LordOfAnts123]

Extraordinarily small formicarium, and even smaller food items. Arthropod eggs, Mites, and springtails are their natural foods of choice - the last two of which can easily be cultured. I don't know of anyone who's attempted to keep them; their diminutive size and inconspicuous nature probably having something to do with that. I've always assumed Strumigenys to be the owner of the traps jaws as you said, with Pyramica having wedge or tweezer like mandibles, though I doubt this is entirely the case. Ideally, you'll need a microscope to perform accurate identifications.

 

EDIT: Seems like Pyramica is now regarded as a junior synonym - disregard what I said earlier about the two genus's being separate.

Edited by 123Lord Of Ants123, May 21 2015 - 3:01 PM.

[Ants4fun]

Thanks, do you know if they are fully or semi-cloustral?

[Jonathan21700]

Really interesting. Can you get some pictures?

Keep this updated.

[Ants4fun]

I will try... due to there small extremely size however, it might not be possible...

[123LordOfAnts123]

Certainly semi-claustral.

[Ants4fun]

Thanks. I put some mites in there for her to eat.

[Ants4fun]

I let her go after she never laid eggs.