Myrmica incompleta

Myrmica incompleta - "Incomplete Ant"

Myrmica incompleta is a cold-climate Myrmica ant native to northern North America. Workers measure 3.5-5.0mm and are dark brownish-black to black with lighter legs, mesosoma, and antennae. The species has coarse sculpture on the head and mesosoma, with a distinctive clypeus that bulges outward and has a concave margin. This ant inhabits deciduous forests and moist open habitats like bog edges, fens, and wet meadows, where it forms large polygynous (multi-queen) colonies that can be polydomous (spread across multiple nests). It feeds on honeydew from root-feeding aphids and is a host for the social parasite Formicoxenus provancheri. The species was formerly known as Myrmica incompleta before being synonymized.

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Cold climates across Canada and northern United States, from Maritime Provinces west to Alaska, with extensions down the Rocky Mountains to New Mexico. Found in moist, open or semi-open habitats including bog edges, fens, wet meadows, and deciduous forests ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Polygynous (multi-queen) colonies with documented worker monomorphism. Colonies can be very large and often appear to form large unicolonial populations. Polydomous, nests spread across multiple connected locations ^[1][3][2].
  • Colony: Polygyne
  • Founding: Claustral
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Estimated 5-7mm based on typical Myrmica genus patterns
  • Worker: 3.5-5.0mm ^[4]
  • Colony: Very large colonies possible, polygynous colonies can develop large populations ^[1][2]
  • Growth: Moderate, based on typical Myrmica development
  • Development: 6-10 weeks at optimal temperature (estimated based on related Myrmica species) (Development time follows typical Myrmica patterns, exact timeline for this species unconfirmed)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 18-22°C. This is a cold-climate species that prefers cooler temperatures than many tropical ants. Room temperature is often suitable, but avoid overheating ^[1][2].
  • Humidity: Requires high humidity, moist soil conditions. Keep substrate consistently damp but not waterlogged. This species naturally inhabits bogs and wet meadows, so humidity is important ^[1][5].
  • Diapause: Yes, requires winter hibernation. This cold-climate species needs a diapause period of several months at cold temperatures (around 5-10°C) to simulate winter conditions ^[1].
  • Nesting: Natural nesting in moist soil, under stones, and in moss hummocks. In captivity, test tube setups or plaster nests with good moisture retention work well. Y-tong nests also suitable. Keep nest material consistently moist ^[1][5].
• Behavior: Workers are moderately aggressive and will sting if threatened. Forages actively for honeydew and small insects. This is a cold-climate specialist that remains active at cooler temperatures than most ants. Workers vary more in size than typical Myrmica species. Escape risk is moderate, standard containment is sufficient for ants in this size range ^[1][6].
• Common Issues: cold-intolerant, keep away from heat sources above 25°C, colonies may fail if humidity drops too low, monitor substrate moisture, hibernation failure is common, ensure proper cold period of several months, large polygynous colonies can be difficult to manage, plan for colony expansion, wild-caught colonies may introduce parasites like Formicoxenus provancheri

Housing and Nest Setup

Myrmica incompleta does well in test tube setups or plaster nests that retain moisture. Since they naturally nest in moist soil and moss, keep the nest material consistently damp but not waterlogged. A test tube with a water reservoir works well, fill about one-third with water, stuff cotton to create a chamber, and place your queen or colony inside. Cover the tube with a dark cloth for the first week to reduce stress. For larger colonies, a Y-tong or acrylic formicarium with a water chamber maintains humidity. These ants don't need elaborate setups, simple is often better as long as moisture is maintained ^[1][5].

Feeding and Diet

In the wild, Myrmica incompleta feeds heavily on honeydew from root-feeding aphids and coccids. They also scavenge and hunt small insects. In captivity, offer sugar water or honey as a constant energy source, and provide protein like small crickets, mealworms, or fruit flies twice weekly. Since they're associated with at least 21 different aphid species in the wild, they have a broad diet. Drop the food directly into the outworld or on a flat surface near the nest entrance. Remove uneaten protein after 24-48 hours to prevent mold ^[7][5].

Temperature and Seasonal Care

This is a cold-climate species, keep temperatures between 18-22°C. They can tolerate cooler conditions better than heat. Avoid temperatures above 25°C, which can stress or kill colonies. During winter, they require a true diapause (hibernation) period of 3-4 months at temperatures around 5-10°C. This mimics their natural cycle in northern habitats. To hibernate, move the colony to an unheated garage or refrigerator (not freezer) from late fall through early spring. Gradually warm them back up in spring. Failure to provide proper hibernation often leads to colony decline ^[1][2].

Colony Structure and Growth

Myrmica incompleta forms polygynous colonies with multiple reproductive queens working together. Colonies can become very large, sometimes appearing unicolonial over large areas. Workers are monomorphic (all the same size), though this species shows more size variation than typical Myrmica. Growth is moderate, expect 6-10 weeks from egg to first worker at optimal temperature. Once established, colonies grow steadily and can reach thousands of workers. The presence of multiple queens means colonies are resilient to queen loss, but also means you shouldn't combine unrelated colonies as they may not integrate peacefully ^[3][1].

Frequently Asked Questions

References