Myrmecina wesselensis

Myrmecina wesselensis

Myrmecina wesselensis is an extremely tiny ant species described from a single worker collected on the Wessel Islands in Australia's Northern Territory. Workers measure just 0.68mm in head length, making them among the smallest ants you could keep. They are dark brown-black with distinctive yellow-red antennae, mandibles, legs, and gaster tip. Their most unique feature is the strongly curved erect hairs on their abdomen that lie nearly parallel to the body surface, a trait not found in any other Australian Myrmecina species ^[1].

This species is part of a genus known for specialized predation on oribatid mites, with larvae having exceptionally small heads adapted to feeding on these tiny mites ^[2]. Like other Australian Myrmecina, they likely live in small colonies in forest floor habitats, nesting in soil, under rocks, or in rotting wood ^[2].

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Hard
• Origin & Habitat: Wessel Islands, Northern Territory, Australia. Found in leaf litter in forested areas ^[2].
• Colony Type: Colony structure is unconfirmed, only a single worker has been documented. Based on related Myrmecina species, colonies are small ^[2].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unknown, no queens have been documented for this species ^[1].
  • Worker: 0.68mm head length,0.77mm Weber's length ^[1].
  • Colony: Likely small, typical for the genus, possibly under 100 workers ^[2].
  • Growth: Unknown, no colony development data exists.
  • Development: Unconfirmed, no direct observations. Based on related small Myrmicinae, estimate 6-10 weeks at warm temperatures, but this is a rough guess. (No development data exists for this species. Estimates based on genus-level patterns for small Myrmicinae.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Aim for 24-28°C, warm tropical conditions matching their Northern Territory origin. A gentle heat gradient allows them to regulate temperature.
  • Humidity: Keep substrate moderately moist. These are forest floor ants that prefer damp but not waterlogged conditions. Provide a moisture gradient so ants can choose their preferred humidity.
  • Diapause: Unknown, no data on overwintering requirements. Northern Territory has minimal cold, so they likely do not require a true hibernation period.
  • Nesting: Use a small nest with tight chambers scaled to their tiny size. Y-tong nests or small acrylic setups work well. They naturally nest in soil, under rocks, or in rotting wood ^[2]. Provide moist substrate and some covered spaces.
• Behavior: These ants are extremely small and quite passive. They are likely slow-moving and not aggressive. The primary concern for keepers is their minute size, they can easily escape through standard barrier setups. Use fine mesh and excellent escape prevention. They are predacious on mites rather than typical ant fare, which makes feeding challenging.
• Common Issues: escape prevention is critical due to their extremely small size, they can squeeze through gaps that larger ants cannot, specialized diet, they likely require oribatid mites or other tiny prey, not standard ant food, slow colony growth typical of the genus means patience is essential, very limited data means keeper experimentation will be necessary for successful care, wild-caught colonies may be nearly impossible given their restricted range and single known specimen

Understanding This Species

Myrmecina wesselensis is one of the most poorly known ant species in Australia. It was described in 2009 by Steve Shattuck from a single worker collected on the Wessel Islands in the Northern Territory ^[1]. This means almost everything about its biology in captivity must be inferred from related species in the same genus.

What we do know: they are tiny (under 1mm), dark ants with yellow-red appendages, and they have a unique hair pattern that distinguishes them from all other Australian Myrmecina species ^[1]. The strongly curved hairs lying parallel to the body surface is a diagnostic feature you won't find in any close relative.

For antkeepers, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. You'll be essentially pioneering their care with minimal guidance. Expect some experimentation to be necessary.

Housing and Escape Prevention

Housing Myrmecina wesselensis requires attention to scale, these are tiny ants that can escape through gaps invisible to the human eye. Standard test tube setups may work if the cotton is packed tightly, but a small acrylic or Y-tong nest with very tight connections is preferable.

Escape prevention is your top priority. Use fine mesh barriers (nylon mesh with very small holes), apply fluon or similar barriers to all edges, and check connections between outworld and nest frequently. Even a tiny gap that wouldn't concern you with larger ants will allow these to escape.

The nest should have small chambers scaled to their size, large open spaces stress small ants. Keep the nest material moderately moist but not wet, as they naturally nest in soil and rotting wood in forested areas ^[2].

Feeding and Diet

This is the most challenging aspect of keeping Myrmecina wesselensis. The genus is specialized, Myrmecina larvae have exceptionally small heads adapted for feeding on oribatid mites, and some species are thought to be predatory on these tiny mites ^[2].

In captivity, you'll need to culture or source very small live prey. Oribatid mites are ideal but difficult to obtain. Alternatives include tiny springtails, newly hatched isopods, and other micro-arthropods. Standard ant foods like mealworms and crickets are far too large.

Adult workers may accept sugar water or honey, but the primary food should be tiny live prey. Be prepared to culture your own springtail or mite colonies to ensure a steady food supply. This is not a species that will thrive on convenient ant foods.

Temperature and Environment

The Wessel Islands in the Northern Territory have a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. Keep your colony in the warm end of what most antkeepers maintain, aim for 24-28°C with some variation allowed.

A heating cable on one side of the nest creates a temperature gradient, allowing the ants to regulate their own temperature by moving between warmer and cooler areas. This is especially important given their small size and likely shallow colonies.

Humidity should be moderate, think damp forest floor rather than rainforest. The substrate should feel moist but you shouldn't see standing water. Some drier areas in the nest allow the ants to choose their preferred conditions.

Colony Development Expectations

Given that only a single worker has ever been documented for this species, colony development in captivity is essentially uncharted territory. Based on related Myrmecina species, expect slow growth with small colony sizes, likely under 100 workers at maturity ^[2].

Development time from egg to worker is unconfirmed but likely falls in the 6-10 week range typical for small Myrmicinae at warm temperatures. Don't expect rapid growth.

If you obtain a queen (which would be a significant achievement given how rarely these ants are found), she would be claustral like most Myrmicinae, sealing herself in and living off stored fat until her first workers emerge. However, no queens have been documented for this species, so this remains an inference rather than confirmed behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

References