Pheidole susannae

Pheidole susannae

Pheidole susannae is a dimorphic Myrmicine ant native to the Neotropics, ranging from southern Mexico to southern Brazil and across the Caribbean islands. Major workers have a distinctive tapered head with a deep occipital notch and reddish-yellow coloration, while minor workers are smaller and uniformly medium yellow. This highly variable species may actually be a complex of related species. Workers are excellent recruiters, with both majors and minors readily responding to food sources. They thrive in disturbed habitats including city parks, agricultural areas, and forest edges, nesting opportunistically in small cavities whether on the ground or in the canopy. Their adaptability has made them one of the most common ants in human-modified landscapes throughout their range.

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Easy
• Origin & Habitat: Neotropical region, southern Mexico to southern Brazil, including Caribbean islands. Found in diverse habitats from city parks to mature rainforest, both on the ground and in the canopy ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Single-queen (monogyne) colonies. Pheidole species typically have one queen per colony.
  • Colony: Monogyne
  • Founding: Claustral
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Estimated 7-9mm based on genus patterns (Pheidole queens typically 6-10mm)
  • Worker: Minor workers: 1.67mm body length ^[3], Major workers: HW 1.30mm, HL 1.44mm ^[4]
  • Colony: Colonies can reach several thousand workers based on typical Pheidole patterns
  • Growth: Moderate to fast, typical Pheidole development
  • Development: 6-8 weeks at optimal temperature based on typical Pheidole genus development ^[5] (Development time follows standard Pheidole patterns, first workers (nanitics) are smaller than mature workers)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 24-28°C. As a tropical species, they prefer warm conditions but can tolerate typical room temperature (22-26°C) ^[5]
  • Humidity: Moderate humidity (50-70%). They adapt to various conditions in the wild and are tolerant of drier environments in captivity
  • Diapause: No, being a tropical species, they do not require hibernation or winter rest ^[5]
  • Nesting: Use a standard formicarium or test tube setup. They nest opportunistically in small cavities, so provide appropriately sized chambers. A Y-tong or acrylic nest with moderate-sized chambers works well. They can adapt to both naturalistic and artificial setups ^[6][7]
• Behavior: Active and aggressive foragers with excellent recruitment. Workers readily recruit both majors and minors to food sources. They are generalist omnivores and will exploit various food resources. Minor workers are small enough to potentially escape through small gaps, so use standard escape prevention. They show activity during both day and night ^[7].
• Common Issues: colonies can grow very large, ensure you have space for expansion, minor workers are small and can escape through standard barriers if gaps exist, aggressive toward other ant species, keep separate from other colonies, queen adoption can be tricky, introduce only to established, healthy colonies if combining, rapid colony growth requires increasing food portions, monitor consumption to prevent spoilage

Housing and Nest Setup

Pheidole susannae is adaptable and will accept various nest types. A Y-tong (acrylic) nest or plaster formicarium works well, providing chambers sized appropriately for their colony size. They naturally nest in small cavities, downed sticks, wall crevices, dead wood in trees, and soil at tree bases ^[6]. For founding colonies, a standard test tube setup with a water reservoir works fine. As the colony grows, transfer to a formicarium with multiple chambers. They can be kept in naturalistic setups with soil and decorative elements, which they will readily explore and excavate. Ensure the nest has some darkness, these ants prefer dimmer conditions for their brood chambers.

Feeding and Diet

As generalist omnivores, Pheidole susannae accepts a wide variety of foods. In captivity, offer protein sources like mealworms, crickets, and other small insects 2-3 times per week. They also readily accept sugar water, honey, or syrup as an energy source. Workers are excellent recruiters and will quickly mobilize to food sources, with both majors and minors participating in food transport ^[1][3]. In the wild, they forage both day and night and are considered omnivorous soil dominants ^[3]. Remove uneaten protein within 24-48 hours to prevent mold. Provide a constant sugar source and protein 2-3 times weekly for established colonies.

Temperature and Humidity

Keep your colony at 24-28°C for optimal development. Being tropical, they prefer warmth but tolerate typical room temperatures (22-26°C). If your room is cooler, use a heating cable on one side of the nest to create a gentle gradient. Avoid temperatures below 20°C for extended periods. For humidity, aim for 50-70% relative humidity. They are adaptable and tolerate varying conditions, in the wild they occur from seasonal dry forest to mature rainforest ^[1]. The substrate should be kept slightly moist but never waterlogged. A water tube in the outworld helps maintain humidity.

Colony Development

Pheidole susannae colonies grow moderately fast. From egg to first worker (nanitic) takes approximately 6-8 weeks at optimal temperature, following typical Pheidole genus development patterns ^[5]. Nanitics are smaller than mature minor workers but will quickly be replaced by normal-sized workers as the colony expands. Colonies can reach several thousand workers in time. The species is dimorphic, you will see both major and minor workers. Major workers typically appear once the colony reaches a few hundred workers. They are long-lived colonies in the wild, with documented colony durations of nearly 2 years in some cases ^[7].

Behavior and Foraging

This species is highly active and shows excellent recruitment behavior. Workers readily respond to baits, and both minor and major workers participate in food retrieval, majors often lead recruitment alongside minors ^[1][6]. They are aggressive toward other ant species and can dominate food resources. In the wild, they forage during both day and night ^[7]. They are generalists that exploit various food sources and nest opportunistically in small cavities. Their adaptability has made them successful in disturbed habitats and even urban environments. Minor workers are small (around 1.67mm) so ensure your setup has no gaps that would allow escapes.

Seasonal Care

As a tropical species, Pheidole susannae does not require hibernation or diapause. They remain active year-round in captivity if kept warm. In their natural range, they are found in both rainy and dry seasons and show no significant seasonal slowdown ^[7]. Simply maintain consistent temperature (24-28°C) and humidity throughout the year. If you keep them at room temperature, no seasonal adjustments are needed. They are not cold-tolerant, so ensure they are kept away from cold drafts in winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

References