Mycetomoellerius dichrous

Mycetomoellerius dichrous

Mycetomoellerius dichrous is a small fungus-growing ant native to the Brazilian Cerrado and surrounding savanna regions of South America. Workers measure 4.5-5.1mm and display a striking bicolored appearance with a deep brown head and medium brown to ferruginous body and appendages ^[1]. This species belongs to the Attini tribe, a group of ants that cultivate fungus gardens for food, making them one of the more unusual ants you can keep. They nest deep in the soil, with one excavated nest showing a vertical tunnel extending nearly one meter underground to the fungus chamber ^[1]. Found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, these ants are typical inhabitants of the vast savannas of Central Brazil ^[2].

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Brazilian Cerrado and surrounding savanna regions in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. They inhabit tropical savanna (cerrado) environments, often in areas with specific moisture and shading conditions ^[3]. Nests are found in soil, with a vertical tunnel going nearly one meter deep to the fungus garden chamber ^[1].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is not fully confirmed. One excavated nest contained 2 dealate queens along with 384 workers, suggesting possible multi-queen colonies, though this may represent temporary pleometrosis or a polygynous system ^[1]. Further research is needed to confirm typical colony structure.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Not fully documented, only dealate queens have been recorded in excavated nests ^[1]
  • Worker: 4.5-5.1mm ^[1]
  • Colony: At least 384 workers in one excavated colony, likely larger established colonies exist ^[1]
  • Growth: Moderate, based on typical Attini development patterns
  • Development: Estimated 6-10 weeks based on typical Attini development patterns at optimal temperature (Development time is inferred from related fungus-growing ants. Actual timing may vary based on temperature and fungal conditions.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep around 24-28°C. This species comes from the warm Brazilian Cerrado, so they need tropical temperatures. A heating cable on one side of the nest creates a suitable gradient ^[2].
  • Humidity: High humidity is essential, these ants need moist conditions to maintain their fungus garden. Keep the nest substrate consistently damp but not waterlogged. The fungus garden requires humidity to survive.
  • Diapause: Unknown for this species. The Brazilian Cerrado has mild winters, so they may not require a true diapause. Consider a slight temperature reduction (to around 20-22°C) during winter months rather than full hibernation.
  • Nesting: They need deep nesting space for their fungus garden chamber. A naturalistic setup with soil or a plaster/acrylic nest with a large chamber works well. The nest should have room for the fungus garden and allow for proper humidity control. Test tubes alone are insufficient, they need a proper formicarium with space for fungal cultivation.
• Behavior: These ants are peaceful and not aggressive. As fungus growers, they are not territorial toward humans and pose no sting threat to keepers. Workers are moderately active, maintaining their fungus garden. Escape risk is moderate, at 4-5mm, they are not tiny but can still squeeze through small gaps, so standard escape prevention measures apply.
• Common Issues: Fungus garden failure is the primary risk, if the fungus dies, the colony will starve. Maintaining proper humidity and avoiding contamination is critical., Temperature fluctuations can stress these tropical ants and harm the fungus garden., Improper substrate or dry conditions will cause the fungus to die and colony collapse., These ants are sensitive to disturbance, moving the fungus garden improperly can kill it., Limited availability in the antkeeping hobby makes establishing a colony challenging.

Fungus Growing Basics

Mycetomoellerius dichrous belongs to the Attini tribe, the fungus-growing ants. Unlike most ants that eat protein and sugar, these ants cultivate a fungus garden as their primary food source. The queen carries a fungal inoculum when she founds the colony, and workers continuously tend the fungus, feeding it plant material and eating the fungal strands themselves. This makes them fundamentally different from typical ant keeping. You cannot keep them like regular ants, the fungus garden IS their food source. In captivity, you must provide suitable fungal substrate (typically leaf material, flower petals, or other organic matter the fungus can grow on). The fungus is sensitive to contamination, temperature shifts, and drying out.

Nest Setup and Housing

These ants need more specialized housing than typical ants. They require a nest with a dedicated chamber for the fungus garden that can maintain high humidity. A naturalistic setup with a deep soil chamber works well, use a mixture of soil and organic material that holds moisture. Acrylic or plaster nests with a large central chamber can work if you maintain proper humidity through a water reservoir. The key is providing enough vertical space for the deep nest they naturally form (nearly 1 meter in the wild) and ensuring the fungus garden area stays consistently moist. Avoid frequent disturbances to the nest as this can damage the fungus. ^[1]

Feeding and Nutrition

Instead of feeding the ants directly, you provide material for the fungus garden. Offer small pieces of leaves, flower petals, grass clippings, or other plant material. The ants will process this and add it to their fungus. Remove any uneaten plant material before it molds, as mold can kill the fungus garden. Some keepers also offer very small amounts of sugar water occasionally, but the primary nutrition comes from the fungus. Do not overfeed plant material, excess leads to mold problems. The amount to feed depends on colony size and how quickly they process the material.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Keep these ants warm, aim for 24-28°C consistently. They come from the Brazilian Cerrado, a tropical savanna that stays warm year-round. Use a heating cable on one side of the nest to create a temperature gradient, placing it on top of the nest material to avoid drying it out. During winter, you may reduce temperature slightly (around 20-22°C) but avoid cold conditions. Sudden temperature drops can harm both the ants and their fungus garden. Monitor colony activity, if workers become sluggish, the temperature may be too low. ^[2][3]

Humidity Management

High humidity is critical for keeping Mycetomoellerius. The fungus garden requires moist conditions to survive. Keep the nest substrate consistently damp, it should feel moist to the touch but not be sitting in water. Using a water reservoir or sponge in the nest helps maintain humidity. However, balance is key: too wet causes flooding and mold, too dry kills the fungus. Check the nest daily and adjust watering based on condensation and substrate moisture. A hygrometer near the nest can help you monitor levels. ^[1]

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

This is a peaceful species that poses no danger to keepers. Workers tend the fungus garden continuously, carrying plant material and maintaining the fungal strands. They are not aggressive and do not sting. One excavated nest contained 384 workers along with 2 dealate queens, suggesting the colony structure may involve multiple queens, though this needs further study. The colony grows moderately, expect several months before you see significant growth. These ants are sensitive to disturbance, so minimize nest inspections once the colony is established. ^[1]

Frequently Asked Questions

References