Hylomyrma dandarae

Hylomyrma dandarae

Hylomyrma dandarae is a midsized Myrmicinae ant native to the Andes mountains in South America. Workers measure 4.96-5.30 mm and have a distinctive shiny appearance with irregular striations on the head that diverge toward the posterior margin. The species occurs in three localities: two in southwest Colombia (Caquetá and Putumayo departments) and one in La Paz, Bolivia, at elevations between 1250 and 2048 meters ^[1]. This species was only recently described in 2021,named after Dandara, a leader in resistance against slavery during the Brazilian colonial period ^[1].

What makes H. dandarae interesting is its high-altitude Andean distribution. Unlike many tropical ants, these ants live in cooler, montane forest environments. They are ground-nesting ants collected from leaf litter and rotting wood, suggesting they prefer damp, shaded microhabitats similar to their forest floor ecology ^[2]. The genus Hylomyrma is relatively rare in antkeeping circles, making this species a unique choice for enthusiasts looking to keep something different from common genera like Camponotus or Lasius.

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Andes mountains of Colombia and Bolivia, found at elevations between 1250 and 2048 meters. They inhabit montane forest environments, nesting in fallen logs, rotten wood, leaf litter, and natural cavities in superficial soil layers ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Unknown, colony structure has not been documented in scientific literature. Related Hylomyrma species are typically monogyne (single queen), but this specific species has not been studied.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unconfirmed, queen size has not been documented for this species. Based on worker size (4.96-5.30mm), queens likely measure 6-8mm ^[1].
  • Worker: 4.96-5.30 mm total length ^[1]
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony size data available for this species
  • Growth: Unknown, no development data exists for this species
  • Development: Unconfirmed, no direct measurements available. Based on typical Myrmicinae patterns and their montane habitat, estimate 8-12 weeks at optimal temperature, but this is speculative. (This is a newly described species with no captive breeding data. Expect slower development compared to tropical species due to their high-altitude, cooler native habitat.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep cool, around 18-22°C. Their high-elevation Andean habitat suggests they prefer temperatures lower than typical room temperature. Avoid overheating, a gentle gradient with a cool side is ideal. Room temperature (20-24°C) is likely acceptable but monitor for signs of stress.
  • Humidity: High humidity preferred, they naturally inhabit damp forest floor environments. Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide a gradient with slightly drier areas for the ants to choose. Mist occasionally and ensure water is always available.
  • Diapause: Likely yes, based on their high-elevation origin (1250-2048m), they probably experience seasonal temperature drops and may require a winter rest period. However, specific diapause requirements are unconfirmed for this species.
  • Nesting: They nest in rotting wood, fallen logs, and leaf litter in nature. In captivity, a naturalistic setup with damp soil, pieces of rotting wood, and leaf litter works well. Y-tong (acrylic) nests with moist substrate also work if you provide a water reservoir. Avoid dry, compact substrate, they need access to damp microhabitats ^[2].
• Behavior: Workers forage on the forest floor, as evidenced by their collection in pitfall traps and winkler extractors ^[1]. They are likely moderate in activity level and not particularly aggressive. Their moderate size (about 5mm) means escape prevention should be taken seriously, they can squeeze through small gaps. No specific data on sting or aggression exists, but related Myrmicinae species can defend themselves. Assume they may bite if threatened. They are not known to be escape artists at the level of tiny species like Pheidole, but standard precautions (fluon on rim edges, tight-fitting lids) are still recommended.
• Common Issues: newly described species means no established captive care protocols, expect a learning curve, high humidity requirements can lead to mold problems if ventilation is poor, cool temperature needs may conflict with standard room temperatures in warm climates, no data on founding behavior makes it difficult to establish wild-caught queens, slow growth potential may frustrate keepers expecting rapid colony development, damp nesting conditions require careful balance to prevent substrate compaction or flooding

Natural History and Distribution

Hylomyrma dandarae is a recently described species from the Andes mountains, known only from three localities: two in southwest Colombia (Caquetá and Putumayo departments) and one in La Paz, Bolivia ^[1]. They inhabit elevations between 1250 and 2048 meters, placing them in montane forest environments that are cooler and more humid than lowland tropical areas.

Workers were collected using pitfall traps and winkler extractors, which are methods that sample ants moving on the forest floor and in leaf litter ^[1]. This confirms they are ground-foraging ants that nest in decomposing wood and soil cavities. Their shiny integument and distinctive striation patterns help distinguish them from related species like H. adelae, H. mariae, and H. wachiperi ^[1].

The species name honors Dandara, a leader and warrior who fought against slavery during the Brazilian colonial period as part of Quilombo dos Palmares ^[1]. This naming reflects a growing trend in taxonomy to recognize historical figures from resistance movements.

Housing and Nest Setup

In captivity, Hylomyrma dandarae benefits from a naturalistic setup that mimics their forest floor habitat. Use a mix of soil and rotting wood pieces as substrate, with leaf litter on top to maintain humidity and provide cover. A Y-tong (acrylic) nest can also work if you connect it to an outworld with damp substrate and ensure a water reservoir keeps the nest humid.

Because they come from damp environments, the substrate should remain consistently moist but never waterlogged. Place a water tube or small reservoir in the outworld to maintain humidity. Avoid completely dry setups, these ants will struggle in arid conditions.

Foraging occurs on the forest floor, so provide an outworld with a soil or sand layer where workers can search for food. Keep lighting subdued, bright lights may stress them, as they are adapted to shaded understory environments. ^[2]

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Based on their high-elevation Andean distribution (1250-2048m), H. dandarae prefers cooler temperatures than many commonly kept ants. Aim for 18-22°C in the nest area, with a slight gradient so ants can choose their preferred temperature. This is cooler than typical room temperature, so you may need to keep them in a cooler room or use a small thermostatic heater.

Avoid placing the nest in direct sunlight or near heat sources. Overheating can be fatal to these montane ants. If your room runs warm, consider using a small cooling setup or positioning the ant farm away from heat sources.

Regarding winter dormancy: their elevation suggests they experience seasonal temperature changes, so a cooler winter period (perhaps 12-15°C for 2-3 months) may benefit established colonies. However, this is speculative since no specific diapause studies exist for this species. Monitor your colony's activity, if they become less active in winter, reduce feeding and keep them cool but above freezing. ^[1]

Feeding and Diet

No specific dietary studies exist for H. dandarae, but based on their forest floor foraging behavior and typical Myrmicinae diet, they likely consume small invertebrates and tend aphids for honeydew. In captivity, offer a varied diet including:

Protein: small insects like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, mealworms, and other small arthropods. Offer protein 2-3 times per week.

Sugars: sugar water, honey, or honeydew substitutes. Provide a constant sugar source in a test tube or feeder.

They are ground-foragers, so place food on the substrate surface rather than in elevated feeders. Remove uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold.

Since this is a newly kept species, be prepared to experiment with food acceptance. Some keepers report that Hylomyrma species prefer protein over sugar sources, so prioritize offering small prey items. ^[2]

Acquiring and Establishing Colonies

Hylomyrma dandarae is extremely rare in the antkeeping hobby, as it was only described in 2021 and has a limited natural distribution in Colombia and Bolivia. You are unlikely to find captive-bred colonies for sale. Wild-caught founding queens may occasionally be available from specialty importers, but they are not common.

If you obtain a wild-caught queen, treat her as claustral (most Myrmicinae are), seal her in a test tube with moist cotton and no food. Place her in a dark, quiet location and wait 4-8 weeks for eggs to develop into workers. Do not disturb her during this founding period.

Once workers emerge, you can connect the test tube to an outworld. Wait several weeks before offering protein food, the colony needs time to establish. Growth will likely be slow, so patience is essential.

Always verify legal requirements before importing or transporting ants across borders. Many countries restrict or prohibit ant imports to prevent invasive species establishment. ^[1]

Frequently Asked Questions

References