Myrmica wheeleri

Myrmica wheeleri

Myrmica wheeleri is a small to medium-sized Myrmica ant native to the high-elevation regions of Arizona in the United States. Workers are monomorphic, meaning they all look the same size rather than having major and minor castes. The species is polygynous, meaning colonies typically have multiple queens working together. This ant is part of the rugosa species group, which originated in the Palearctic region and dispersed to North America ^[1]. In the wild, they nest in mountainous areas at elevations between 6,000 and 9,150 feet in the Santa Catalina Mountains ^[2].

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: High-elevation Arizona mountains (6,000-9,150 ft) in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson. They inhabit cool, moist forest floor environments typical of montane habitats ^[2].
• Colony Type: Polygynous, colonies contain multiple queens working together. Workers are monomorphic (all the same size) ^[3].
  • Colony: Polygyne
  • Founding: Claustral
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Estimated 5-7mm based on genus typical sizes
  • Worker: Estimated 4-6mm based on genus typical sizes
  • Colony: Unknown maximum, but polygynous colonies typically reach several hundred workers
  • Growth: Moderate, typical Myrmica growth rate
  • Development: Estimated 6-10 weeks based on related Myrmica species at optimal temperature (Development time is inferred from genus-level data for Myrmica species, specific timeline for M. wheeleri has not been directly studied)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep cool, around 18-22°C. High elevation origin means they prefer temperatures cooler than typical room temperature. A temperature gradient allowing cooler areas is beneficial.
  • Humidity: Moderate to high humidity, mountain environment. Keep nest substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide a water source.
  • Diapause: Yes, Myrmica species require a winter hibernation period. Reduce temperature to 5-10°C for 3-4 months during winter.
  • Nesting: In captivity, they do well in test tubes, Y-tong nests, or plaster nests. They prefer narrow chambers typical of Myrmica nesting preferences. Keep nest material slightly moist.
• Behavior: Workers are moderately active and typically not aggressive. They are not known to be escape artists, but standard escape prevention is still recommended. Like other Myrmica species, they may have a mild sting but it's not significant for human keepers. They forage for honeydew and small insects.
• Common Issues: high elevation species may struggle in warm homes without cooling, polygynous colonies can be sensitive to queen manipulation, avoid combining unrelated queens, hibernation is required, colonies that don't get proper winter rest may decline, moisture needs must be balanced to prevent mold growth, slow growth compared to tropical species may frustrate beginners

Housing and Nest Preferences

Myrmica wheeleri does well in standard ant keeping setups. Test tubes work perfectly for founding colonies, use a cotton ball to separate the water reservoir from the ants, keeping the tube consistently moist but not flooded. For established colonies, Y-tong (acrylic) nests or plaster nests work well. They prefer chambers that aren't too large, Myrmica ants feel more secure in tighter spaces. A small outworld for foraging completes the setup. Because they come from high elevations, they don't need extreme humidity, but the nest material should stay damp. Avoid placing their setup in direct sunlight or near heat sources that would raise temperatures above their preferred range. ^[2]

Feeding and Diet

Like other Myrmica species, Myrmica wheeleri is omnivorous. They readily accept sugar sources such as sugar water, honey, or maple syrup, offer these in a shallow container like a bottle cap to prevent drowning. For protein, offer small insects like fruit flies, small crickets, or mealworms. In the wild, they also collect honeydew from aphids, so they may tend aphid colonies if given the opportunity. Feed protein sources 2-3 times per week, and keep sugar water available at all times. Remove any uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

This is the most critical aspect of keeping Myrmica wheeleri successfully. Being from high-elevation Arizona, they prefer cool conditions, aim for 18-22°C in the nest area. If your room temperature runs warmer, consider using a cooling method like a USB fan directed at the nest or placing the setup in a cooler part of your home. Never use heating pads with high-elevation Myrmica species as they can quickly overheat and kill the colony. During winter, you must provide a hibernation period. Reduce temperatures to 5-10°C (a refrigerator works well) for 3-4 months. This rest period is essential for colony health and triggers reproductive cycles in spring. ^[2]

Colony Structure and Multi-Queen Care

Myrmica wheeleri is polygynous, meaning colonies naturally have multiple queens. This is unusual among many ant species and affects how you should house them. Unlike monogyne species, multiple queens coexist peacefully and all contribute to reproduction. When starting a colony, you can keep multiple founding queens together, they won't fight like some species would. The colony will grow faster with multiple egg-layers. However, avoid introducing unrelated queens to an established colony unless you're experienced, as this can sometimes trigger aggression. The workers are monomorphic, meaning all workers are roughly the same size rather than having major and minor castes. ^[3]

Behavior and Handling

Myrmica wheeleri workers are not particularly aggressive and rarely sting. If threatened, they may give a mild sting, but it's not medically significant for healthy humans. They are active foragers and will readily explore their outworld looking for food. They use chemical trails to recruit nestmates to food sources, so you may see them forming lines to new food discoveries. They are not known escape artists like some tiny species, but standard barrier methods (Fluon on container rims) still work well. The colony will establish scent trails and become more active once settled into their setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

References