Ochetellus glaber

Ochetellus glaber - "Ant"

Ochetellus glaber is a small, dark ant species native to Australia and New Caledonia. Workers measure 2-2.5mm and are black with a shiny appearance, sometimes showing metallic reflections on the gaster. Their antennae and legs are brownish, and they have very little body hair ^[1][2]. This species has spread widely through human commerce and is now found across much of Asia, the Pacific, and parts of North America. In its introduced range, it often nests in dead twigs, rotting wood, and under stones in grasslands and forest margins ^[3][4]. The Japanese population was formerly known as Ochetellus glaber but has been synonymized with O. glaber, though some researchers suggest it may be a separate native species ^[5]. These ants are known for aggressively attacking wasp nests in dead bamboo stems and are considered a minor pest in some regions due to their tendency to invade structures.

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Easy
• Origin & Habitat: Native to Australia and New Caledonia. Found across warm regions of Asia, the Pacific, and introduced to Hawaii (1977), Florida, and New Zealand. In Japan, common south from Kanto district in grasslands and forest margins ^[6][3][7].
• Colony Type: Monogyne, single queen colonies. Research from the Ryukyu Islands confirms monogynous colony structure ^[8].
  • Colony: Monogyne
  • Founding: Claustral
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: 4.6-4.8mm ^[1]
  • Worker: 2-2.5mm ^[1][2]
  • Colony: Unknown for captive colonies, likely several hundred workers based on typical tramp ant patterns
  • Growth: Moderate, inferred from related Dolichoderinae
  • Development: 6-8 weeks (estimated based on typical Dolichoderinae development in warm conditions) (Development time not directly studied for this species. Estimates based on related genera in warm climates.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 22-26°C. This species thrives in warm conditions and is found in tropical to subtropical regions. Room temperature within this range works well.
  • Humidity: Moderate humidity around 50-70%. They nest in dead wood and under stones, so provide some moisture but avoid waterlogging. A damp substrate works better than dry conditions.
  • Diapause: No, these ants are adapted to warm climates and do not require hibernation. They remain active year-round in captivity.
  • Nesting: Prefers nesting in dead twigs, rotting wood, and under stones. In captivity, a Y-tong (AAC) nest or plaster nest works well. They are somewhat arboreal and will use vertical spaces. Provide nest chambers with some damp substrate.
• Behavior: These ants are opportunistic foragers that recruit nestmates to food sources. They forage singly but can recruit groups to rich food sources ^[9]. They are known to bite when threatened and will aggressively defend their nest. They tend aphids for honeydew and collect small insects. They are excellent climbers and can invade structures through small openings. Escape prevention should be taken seriously due to their small size, use fine mesh barriers.
• Common Issues: small size means escapes are likely without fine mesh barriers, colonies can become pests if they invade indoor spaces, may bite when threatened, generally not aggressive toward keepers but will defend nests, can be outcompeted by more aggressive ant species in multi-species setups

Housing and Nest Preferences

Ochetellus glaber is versatile in its nesting preferences, naturally nesting in dead twigs, rotting wood, and under stones ^[3][4]. In captivity, they do well in Y-tong (acrylic) nests or plaster nests that can hold some moisture. They are somewhat arboreal and will explore vertical spaces, so include some vertical passages in the nest design. Since they are small (2-2.5mm), ensure your formicarium has appropriately sized chambers and passages. A test tube setup can work for founding colonies, but they will need more space as the colony grows. They do not require large territories, a medium-sized nest is sufficient for a mature colony.

Feeding and Diet

These ants are opportunistic feeders with a varied diet. They collect honeydew from aphids and other plant-sucking insects, and they hunt small insects including larvae ^[1][9]. In captivity, offer sugar water or honey as a constant energy source. For protein, provide small insects like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or mealworm pieces. They show preference for protein when brood is present ^[10]. Feed them small prey items 2-3 times per week, adjusting based on colony size. Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent mold. They are not particularly picky eaters and will accept most standard ant foods.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Ochetellus glaber originates from warm regions and does best at temperatures between 22-26°C. They are found in tropical to subtropical areas across their range and do not require any hibernation period. In fact, they remain active year-round even in their introduced range in places like Hawaii and Japan. Keep them at room temperature within this range, no special heating is typically needed unless your room is particularly cool. They can tolerate brief temperature fluctuations but prefer stable conditions. Avoid temperatures below 18°C for extended periods. ^[6]

Behavior and Temperament

These ants are active foragers that work both alone and in groups. They recruit nestmates to good food sources through chemical communication ^[9]. While not particularly aggressive toward keepers, they will bite if their nest is threatened or if they feel cornered. Their small size makes them difficult to contain, they can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps, so use fine mesh on any escape barriers. In their invasive range, they are known to be a minor pest species, invading homes and tending aphids on garden plants. They are good climbers and may explore vertical surfaces. Overall, they are a manageable species that is active and interesting to watch.

Colony Development

Queen size is 4.6-4.8mm, making them moderately-sized queens for their worker size ^[1]. The founding process is likely claustral based on typical Dolichoderinae behavior, the queen seals herself in a chamber and raises the first workers alone on her stored fat reserves. Development time from egg to worker is estimated at 6-8 weeks based on related species in warm conditions, though this has not been directly studied for O. glaber. The first workers (nanitics) will be smaller than mature workers. Colonies grow moderately fast once established, reaching several hundred workers over time. They are monogynous with a single queen per colony ^[8].

Frequently Asked Questions

References