Crematogaster navajoa

Crematogaster navajoa

Crematogaster navajoa is a small to medium-sized ant native to the American Southwest desert regions. Workers measure 3.5-4.5mm and are dark brown to black with a distinctive shiny appearance. They get their common name 'acrobat ant' from their defensive behavior, when threatened, they raise their abdomen high over their head like an acrobat. Queens are robust at 9-10mm with large gasters. This species is part of the Crematogaster scutellaris group and is found exclusively in the Colorado Plateau region of northern Arizona, New Mexico, and surrounding states ^[1][2].

What makes C. navajoa interesting is its preference for wild desert habitats, research shows they are 409% more common in wildlands than in urban areas, making them sensitive to habitat disturbance ^[3]. They nest at the base of desert plants like sagebrush or under logs, with colonies containing multiple queens. They form foraging trails between nests and tend aphids in trees, showing both ground-dwelling and arboreal tendencies.

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and southern Utah, desert habitats in the Colorado Plateau region. They nest at the base of desert plants or under logs in juniper-grassland areas with rocky soil ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Polygyne, colonies have multiple queens. Field observations show colonies with multiple reproductive queens and interconnected nests forming trails between them.
  • Colony: Polygyne
  • Founding: Claustral
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: 9-10mm ^[4]
  • Worker: 3.5-4.5mm ^[4]
  • Colony: Unknown, likely moderate size typical of desert Crematogaster
  • Growth: Moderate, based on genus patterns
  • Development: Unknown, estimate 6-8 weeks based on related Crematogaster species (Development time not directly studied for this species. Related Crematogaster species typically develop in 6-8 weeks at warm temperatures.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 24-28°C. As a desert species, they prefer warmer conditions with a gentle temperature gradient ^[1].
  • Humidity: Low to moderate, desert species prefers drier conditions. Keep nest substrate relatively dry with some moisture available.
  • Diapause: Likely yes, as a species from the southwestern US with cold winters, they probably need a winter rest period. However, specifics are unconfirmed.
  • Nesting: Y-tong (AAC) nests or plaster nests work well. They naturally nest at base of plants or under logs in soil. Provide a naturalistic setup with some soil area or use a standard formicarium with moderate humidity.
• Behavior: These ants are defensive and will raise their gasters when threatened. They have a stinger but it's small, pain level is minimal for humans. Workers are active foragers and will form trails to food sources. They are good climbers and may escape if given the chance. They tend aphids and are omnivorous. Escape prevention should be moderate, they are not tiny but are agile climbers.
• Common Issues: desert species may be sensitive to overwatering, keep conditions relatively dry, colonies may be stressed by captivity if wild-caught, they are sensitive to habitat disturbance, multiple queens mean colony integration may require care, winter dormancy requirements are unclear but likely needed, slow to establish after collection from the wild

Housing and Nest Setup

Crematogaster navajoa does well in Y-tong (acrylic) nests or plaster formicariums. As a desert species, they prefer drier conditions than many other ants, keep the nest substrate relatively dry with only a small water reservoir or moisture chamber. In the wild, they nest at the base of desert plants or under logs in juniper-grassland with very rocky soil. A naturalistic setup with a soil area works well, or you can use a standard formicarium with appropriate ventilation. Because they are polygyne (multiple queens), provide enough space for a larger colony. They are good climbers, so ensure escape prevention is in place, a barrier like fluon on the rim of the outworld works well. ^[4][1]

Feeding and Diet

Like other Crematogaster species, C. navajoa is omnivorous. They will readily accept sugar sources (honey water, sugar water) and protein foods. In the wild, they tend aphids for honeydew and forage for small insects. Feed them a mix of sugar water or honey (offered on a cotton ball or small dish) and protein sources like small crickets, mealworms, or other small insects. They are active foragers, so place food in the outworld where they can find it easily. Remove uneaten protein after 24-48 hours to prevent mold. ^[4]

Temperature and Seasonal Care

As a desert species from the American Southwest, C. navajoa prefers warmer temperatures. Keep the nest area at 24-28°C during the active season. A heating cable on one side of the nest can create a temperature gradient they can choose from. During winter, they likely need a cooler period, the northern Arizona/New Mexico habitat experiences cold winters with temperatures regularly below freezing. Provide a hibernation period around 10-15°C for 2-3 months during winter, similar to other temperate ant species. Reduce feeding during this time. ^[1][2]

Colony Structure and Multi-Queen Care

This species is naturally polygyne, meaning colonies have multiple queens. In the wild, colonies have been observed with multiple reproductive queens and interconnected nests forming trail systems. This means you don't need to worry about isolating a single queen, multiple queens can coexist in captivity. However, when combining colonies or introducing new queens, observe for aggression initially. The presence of multiple queens can help the colony survive if one queen dies and may contribute to faster colony growth. ^[4]

Behavior and Defense

Crematogaster navajoa gets its common name 'acrobat ant' from its distinctive defensive behavior. When threatened, workers raise their abdomen over their head in an 'acrobat' pose, ready to deliver a sting. Their stinger is small, so pain is minimal for humans, more of a sharp prick than real pain. They are active foragers and will form trails to food sources. Workers are agile climbers and may escape if given the opportunity, so use proper barriers. They are not particularly aggressive but will defend the nest vigorously. ^[4]

Frequently Asked Questions

References