Myrmica scabrinodis - "Scabrous Ant"
Myrmica scabrinodis, often simply called the Scabrous Ant, is a common red-brown ant species with workers typically ranging from 4 to 5 mm in length. Queens are slightly larger, measuring around 5.5 to 6.5 mm. They are known for their distinctive antennal scape, which is sharply angled and sinuate near the base. This species can be quite variable in color, from yellowish-red to blackish-brown, depending on their habitat. Unlike some other ant species, Myrmica scabrinodis is not known to tend aphids in the wild. However, they are thought to steal brood from other ants, particularly the Yellow Meadow Ant (Lasius flavus), especially where their nests are close together.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Origin & Habitat: Europe, Euro-Siberian in Moderately humid habitats, often found in moist grasslands, peat bogs, and open forests, tolerating soil moisture but also needing direct sunshine. They typically build nests in the soil, under stones, in grass tussocks, or sometimes in rotten wood..
- Colony Type: Monogyne (single queen) or Oligogyne (few queens), claustral founding.
- Size & Growth:
- Queen: 5.5-6.5mm
- Worker: 4.0-5.0mm
- Colony: Medium (up to 2500 workers). Slow at first, but accelerates with multiple queens. growth.
- Antkeeping:
- Temperature: Maintain a temperature around 20-25°C, with a heated area of the nest possibly reaching 27°C for the brood. Avoid excessively high temperatures..
- Humidity: Medium to high humidity is essential. Most of the nest should be very moist..
- Diapause: Required. 3-5 months at 8-17°C.
- Nesting: This species thrives in naturalistic setups that allow for soil nesting. They prefer soil nests, or setups simulating conditions under stones, in moss, or within rotten wood..
- Behavior: Medium (towards prey and other ants, low towards handler) aggressiveness.
- Common Issues: Humidity fluctuations leading to desiccation, Overheating, Insufficient protein leading to slow growth, Inadequate diapause.
One fascinating aspect of keeping Myrmica scabrinodis is their unique foraging behavior. Unlike many other predatory ant species, these ants are known to be quite opportunistic, often scavenging for already dead insects or even stealing brood from other ant species, particularly Lasius flavus. This makes observing their interactions in an outworld quite engaging, as you might witness them 'raiding' prey items rather than actively hunting. Ensure a varied diet of both live and thawed insects to cater to this natural tendency.
While Myrmica scabrinodis workers possess a sting, it is generally considered to cause only mild discomfort to humans, and the pain typically fades quickly without serious consequences. They are not as aggressive as their close relatives like Myrmica rubra. However, when threatened or provoked, they will defend their colony. Always handle your formicarium with care to minimize stress on the colony and reduce the likelihood of being stung.
Humidity is a critical factor for the success of a Myrmica scabrinodis colony. These ants naturally inhabit moderately humid environments, and a significant portion of their nest needs to be kept quite moist. In captivity, this means providing a nest with a substantial moisture gradient. Consider formicariums with good hydration systems, or regularly moisten a large area of a soil-based setup to ensure the brood and queen have access to the high humidity they require for optimal development.
Myrmica scabrinodis colonies typically undergo diapause, a period of winter inactivity, which is crucial for their long-term health and reproductive cycle. This usually involves a cooler temperature range for a few months. Remember that even during diapause, a water source is vital to prevent desiccation, as ants can still dry out during this resting period. Gradual warming when bringing them out of diapause is also important to prevent sudden temperature shock, which can lead to issues like test tube floods in early setups.
It's worth noting that distinguishing Myrmica scabrinodis from other closely related Myrmica species can be challenging due to their morphological similarities. This often requires a close examination of specific features like the antennal scape. For hobbyists, acquiring specimens from reputable sources that can ensure correct identification is highly recommended to avoid misidentification and ensure you are providing the appropriate care for your specific Myrmica species.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I feed my Myrmica scabrinodis colony?
Your Myrmica scabrinodis ants will thrive on a diet of sweet liquids like sugar water or honey water, along with a variety of insects. They are quite fond of sweet foods due to their natural tendency to consume honeydew in the wild. Since they don't store much food, it’s crucial to feed them regularly-at least three times a week for good results. Small arthropods and thawed insects are excellent protein sources to support their colony's growth.
How large do Myrmica scabrinodis colonies get?
Myrmica scabrinodis colonies can reach a decent size, potentially housing up to around 2,500 workers. While individual colonies can vary, particularly based on habitat and queen number, they are considered a medium-sized species for antkeeping.
Do Myrmica scabrinodis need to hibernate?
Yes, Myrmica scabrinodis colonies require a period of diapause, or hibernation, typically for 3 to 5 months. This is essential for their health and ensures a proper reproductive cycle. During this time, they should be kept at cooler temperatures, ideally between 8°C and 17°C.
What kind of nest is best for Myrmica scabrinodis?
Myrmica scabrinodis prefers naturalistic setups that allow them to create their own tunnels, mimicking their natural soil nests, or nesting under stones, in moss, or within rotten wood. Formicariums with good hydration systems, such as those made of Ytong or naturalistic soil setups, are ideal for maintaining the high humidity levels they need.
Are Myrmica scabrinodis aggressive?
Compared to some other Myrmica species, like Myrmica rubra, Myrmica scabrinodis are not considered overly aggressive towards keepers. However, they are active hunters and will certainly be aggressive towards small prey items. They can sting, but the sting is generally mild and temporary for humans.
How fast do Myrmica scabrinodis colonies grow?
The initial growth of a Myrmica scabrinodis colony can be somewhat slow. However, if you have a polygynous setup (multiple queens), the colony's growth rate will accelerate significantly as more queens contribute to egg-laying.
Where are Myrmica scabrinodis found naturally?
Myrmica scabrinodis is a Euro-Siberian species, meaning they are commonly found across Europe and parts of Siberia. They inhabit a wide range of environments, from moist grasslands and peat bogs to open woodlands, preferring moderately humid conditions.
Can Myrmica scabrinodis be kept in a test tube setup for founding?
While they are claustral, meaning queens can found a colony on their own without foraging, a traditional test tube setup is suitable for the initial founding stage. However, given their preference for high humidity, ensure the test tube has an ample water reservoir and consider moving them to a more suitable nest type once the colony grows to a few workers.
What is the queen size of Myrmica scabrinodis?
Myrmica scabrinodis queens are typically larger than their workers, measuring approximately 5.5 to 6.5 mm in length.
Do Myrmica scabrinodis have different worker castes?
Myrmica scabrinodis primarily consists of a single worker caste. While there may be slight variations in worker size, they generally do not exhibit distinct minor, major, or super major castes like some other ant species.
