Dolichoderus bakhtiari

Dolichoderus bakhtiari

Dolichoderus bakhtiari is a small ant species described in 2022 from Northeastern Thailand ^[1]. Workers measure 3.14-3.63 mm in total length and have a yellowish-brown body with sparse dark spots on the head ^[1]. They have relatively long legs, a slightly elongated head, and dense covering of both decumbent and erect hairs ^[1]. This species was discovered foraging on shrub leaves in a primary upland evergreen forest at about 800 meters elevation in Nakhon Ratchasima Province ^[1]. It closely resembles Dolichoderus taprobanae but is larger and entirely yellowish-brown, without dark markings on the vertex or gaster ^[1].

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Native to Northeastern Thailand, specifically Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Pak Chong District. Found in primary upland evergreen forest at about 800 meters elevation, where workers forage on shrub trees ^[1].
• Colony Type: Unknown, only the worker caste has been described ^[1].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen:{.size-link} Unknown, queen caste has not been described ^[1]
  • Worker:{.size-link} 3.14-3.63 mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony size data available
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unknown, no data available (No direct data on development timeline, estimates would be based on genus patterns.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Based on their tropical habitat in Thailand ^[1], they likely prefer warm temperatures around 24-28°C. Use a heating cable to create a gradient if needed.
  • Humidity: Based on their humid forest habitat ^[1], keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide a water tube for drinking access.
  • Diapause: As a tropical species, they likely do not require diapause, but may slow activity in cooler temperatures.
  • Nesting: Based on their arboreal foraging behavior ^[1], they may prefer nests with vertical surfaces. Use Y-tong or plaster nests that retain moisture.
• Behavior: Based on Dolichoderus genus patterns, workers are active foragers that use chemical trails. They are not aggressive and lack a sting, relying on chemical defenses. Their small size (3-4 mm) means escape prevention is critical.
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical due to small size (3-4 mm) ^[1], humidity management is essential as they come from a humid forest ^[1], colony growth may be slow due to lack of established husbandry, queen availability is unknown, making colony acquisition difficult ^[1]

Discovery and Taxonomy

Dolichoderus bakhtiari was described in 2022 by Z. Barabag and W. Jaitrong ^[1]. Only the worker caste is known, the queen and male castes have not been described ^[1]. The type series was collected from a single colony found foraging on shrub leaves in a primary upland evergreen forest at about 800 meters above sea level ^[1].

Identification and Appearance

Workers measure 3.14-3.63 mm in total length and have an entirely yellowish-brown body ^[1]. The head is slightly longer than broad, and the body is covered with dense short white decumbent hairs mixed with longer brown erect hairs ^[1]. The longest erect hairs on the pronotum are about three times as long as those on the gastral tergites ^[1].

Natural Habitat and Foraging

This species lives in primary upland evergreen forest at approximately 800 meters elevation in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand ^[1]. Workers were observed foraging on leaves of shrub trees, indicating arboreal foraging behavior ^[1]. The habitat is consistently humid with moderate temperatures year-round ^[1].

Housing and Nest Setup

Based on their natural habitat and foraging behavior ^[1], they likely prefer humid nest setups. Use Y-tong or plaster nests that retain moisture. Provide vertical surfaces in the outworld since they forage on leaves. Keep the nest substrate consistently moist but avoid flooding.

Feeding and Diet

While specific feeding preferences are unknown, Dolichoderus ants are typically omnivorous. They likely accept sugar sources like honey water and protein foods such as fruit flies or small insects. Offer sugar water constantly and protein 2-3 times per week.

Temperature and Humidity Requirements

Based on their tropical habitat ^[1], they likely need warm temperatures around 24-28°C and high humidity. Use a heating cable for temperature gradient and keep nest substrate moist but not waterlogged.

Frequently Asked Questions

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References