Myrmica divergens

Myrmica divergens

Myrmica divergens is a small to medium-sized Myrmica ant native to Siberia and Mongolia. Workers are bicolored with a dark brown to blackish brown head and gaster, while the mesosoma, antennae, and legs are brown to reddish brown. They belong to the scabrinodis species group and have distinctive features including strongly bent antennal scapes near the base and propodeal spines that broaden at the base. This species is found across a wide elevational range from 600 to 2,400 meters in habitats ranging from riparian woodlands to dry meadows and forest steppes ^[1][2].

What makes M. divergens particularly interesting is its unusual taxonomic placement. While females show features that could place them in either the scabrinodis or lobicornis groups, genetic analysis clusters them with the lobicornis group despite their different morphology. Additionally, this species represents the most easterly distribution of Myrmica in the scabrinodis complex, positioned basally in evolutionary trees ^[3][4]. Colonies appear to have relatively few queens, as very few dealate queens have been found in nest samples ^[5].

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Native to South and East Siberia (west to Altai Mountains) and Mongolia. Found in intrazonal woodland between riparian meadows and steppe, typically at elevations of 600-2,400 meters. Nests are constructed in soil, under stones, in grass and moss tussocks, and sometimes in wet peat bogs in river valleys ^[1][2][5].
• Colony Type: Likely monogyne (single-queen colonies). Very few dealate queens have been found in nest samples, suggesting colonies are not highly polygynous ^[5].
  • Colony: Monogyne
  • Founding: Claustral
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Estimated 5-6mm based on genus typical size for scabrinodis group species
  • Worker: Head width 0.94-1.10mm (mean 1.02mm) ^[1]
  • Colony: Estimated moderate size, likely several hundred workers based on typical Myrmica scabrinodis group patterns
  • Growth: Moderate, typical Myrmica development rates
  • Development: Estimated 6-10 weeks based on related Myrmica species development ^[1] (Development time inferred from genus-level data for scabrinodis group species. Temperature-dependent, cooler temperatures slow development.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 20-24°C. As a species from Siberia and Mongolia with wide elevation range, they can tolerate cooler temperatures than tropical ants. Provide a gentle temperature gradient allowing workers to self-regulate.
  • Humidity: Moderate humidity needs. In nature they inhabit both dry meadows and wet peat bogs, suggesting adaptability. Keep nest substrate moderately moist but not waterlogged. Provide a moisture gradient with both damp and drier areas.
  • Diapause: Yes, as a species from Siberia and Mongolia, they require a winter dormancy period. Provide hibernation at 5-10°C for 3-4 months during winter months.
  • Nesting: Will readily use test tubes, Y-tong nests, or plaster nests. In nature they nest in soil, under stones, and in grass tussocks. Provide soil or sand substrate for nesting chambers. Accepts both horizontal and vertical nest orientations.
• Behavior: Myrmica divergens has a typical Myrmica temperament, not particularly aggressive but will defend the nest if threatened. Workers are active foragers, primarily hunting for small insects and tending aphids for honeydew. They have a functional stinger but their small size means stings are rarely noticeable to humans. Escape risk is moderate, use standard test tube barrier methods but they are not particularly prone to escaping compared to other Myrmica species.
• Common Issues: colonies may fail if not given proper hibernation, this is a cold-adapted species requiring winter dormancy, test tube setups can flood if water reservoirs are overfilled, use proper cotton-to-water ratios, slow founding period may cause beginners to abandon colonies before first workers arrive, humidity control is important, both overly dry and overly wet conditions can cause colony decline, wild-caught colonies may contain parasites that can devastate captive colonies

Nest Preferences and Housing

Myrmica divergens nests in soil in nature, often under stones or in grass and moss tussocks. They show flexibility in habitat choice, being found in everything from dry meadows to wet peat bogs in river valleys. For captive care, test tube setups work well for founding colonies. Once established, they readily accept Y-tong nests, plaster nests, or naturalistic setups with soil substrate. Provide a nest chamber sized appropriately for the colony size, Myrmica prefer snugger quarters than some genera. A humidity gradient within the nest allows workers to choose optimal moisture conditions. Because they come from elevations up to 2,400m in Mongolia, they tolerate a range of conditions but prefer cooler temperatures than many ant species ^[1][5].

Feeding and Diet

Like other Myrmica species, M. divergens is omnivorous with a preference for protein foods. Workers hunt small insects and arthropods in nature. They also tend aphids for honeydew and will collect sugary secretions. For captive colonies, offer protein sources such as small crickets, mealworms, fruit flies, and other small insects. Sugar water, honey, or diluted honey water should be available at all times. Feed protein prey 2-3 times per week depending on colony size, and replace sugary foods every few days. Fresh killed prey is preferred over dried. Remove uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold. During founding, queens do not forage, they survive on stored fat reserves until first workers emerge (claustral founding). ^[5]

Temperature and Seasonal Care

M. divergens comes from Siberia and Mongolia where winters are severe, so they require a proper hibernation period. Keep active colonies at 20-24°C during the warm season. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 15°C without issues. During winter (roughly November through March in the Northern Hemisphere), reduce temperature to 5-10°C and stop feeding. Place the colony in a cold garage, basement, or refrigerator during hibernation. Ensure the test tube has adequate water but not excess moisture during this period. Do not feed during hibernation. After hibernation, gradually warm the colony back to room temperature over several days before resuming feeding. This species is eurytopic, meaning it tolerates a wide range of conditions from steppe to meadow formations ^[6].

Behavior and Colony Dynamics

Workers of M. divergens are active foragers that search for prey and sugary sources. They are not particularly aggressive but will sting if the nest is disturbed, though due to their small size, the sting is rarely noticeable to humans. Colonies appear to be primarily monogyne with single founding queens, as evidenced by the very few dealate queens found in nest samples ^[5]. Sexual production occurs in late summer, sexuals (males and new queens) have been found in nests at the end of July and August. Males have been observed participating in mating swarms in early August. The species shows some flexibility in colony structure across its range, which spans from Yakutia in the north to Mongolia in the south ^[5].

Frequently Asked Questions

References