Prolasius wheeleri

Prolasius wheeleri

Prolasius wheeleri is a large, dull-colored ant native to southwestern Australia. Workers are medium-brown to blackish with a matte cuticle and distinctive stout hairs on the pronotum, and some populations also have hairs on the mesonotum. Coastal populations from white sand woodlands tend to be darker and hairier than those from the denser Darling Range forests. This species is part of the Melophorini tribe within the Formicinae subfamily. They are tree-dwelling ants, with workers commonly found foraging on Wandoo and Powderbark Wandoo tree trunks.

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Unknown, limited data available
• Origin & Habitat: Western Australia, found in the Darling Range and Swan coastal plain, typically in coastal woodlands on white sand and taller forests ^[1]
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed colony structure, likely single-queen based on typical Formicinae patterns
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unknown, not documented in available literature
  • Worker: Large medium ^[1], exact measurements not provided
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony size data available
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unknown, no development data available for this species (Development timeline has not been studied. Related Formicinae species typically develop in 6-10 weeks at optimal temperatures.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Unknown, likely moderate temperatures matching southwestern Australian climate. Room temperature (18-24°C) is likely suitable as a starting point.
  • Humidity: Unknown, the species inhabits coastal woodlands and forests, suggesting moderate humidity preferences. Provide a gradient with some damp areas.
  • Diapause: Unknown, southwestern Australia has mild winters, but diapause requirements have not been studied for this species.
  • Nesting: Arboreal/nesting in tree trunks, in captivity, provide vertical spaces or a formicarium with wood-themed materials. They likely prefer nesting in wood or under bark.
• Behavior: This is a poorly studied species with limited behavioral observations. Workers are active on tree trunks in their natural habitat. Likely generalist foragers typical of Formicinae. Escape risk assessment is unknown due to lack of size data.
• Common Issues: limited availability of wild-caught queens, this species is rarely collected, no established husbandry guidelines, keepers will be pioneers, exact temperature and humidity requirements unknown, requires experimentation, colony growth rate is unconfirmed, may be slow or fast, unknown, risk of overfeeding or wrong humidity due to lack of specific care data

Natural History and Distribution

Prolasius wheeleri is endemic to southwestern Western Australia, specifically the Darling Range and Swan coastal plain regions. The species shows some variation across its range: ants from coastal woodlands growing on white sand in the lower west coast and southwest districts tend to be darker and hairier than those collected in the thicker forests of the Darling Range. Workers have been collected from intercept traps on Wandoo and Powderbark Wandoo tree trunks at Dryandra, indicating this is a tree-dwelling or arboreal species that forages on tree bark. The species was originally described by McAreavey in 1947,with Prolasius reticulatus being recognized as a junior synonym ^[1].

Housing and Nesting

In captivity, this species will likely do well in a formicarium that accommodates their arboreal nature. Since they are found on tree trunks in the wild, consider setups with vertical spaces, wood-themed materials, or cork bark. A Y-tong (AAC) nest or plaster nest with some wood elements would be appropriate. Since specific humidity requirements are unknown, provide a moisture gradient, some damp areas and some drier areas, allowing the colony to self-regulate. Ensure excellent escape prevention as exact worker size is not documented but they are described as 'large medium' ants.

Feeding and Diet

As a Formicinae species, Prolasius wheeleri is likely a generalist omnivore. Feed a varied diet including sugar sources (honey water, sugar water) and protein (insects, mealworms, crickets). In the wild, workers forage on tree trunks, likely collecting honeydew from aphids or scale insects and hunting small invertebrates. Start with standard ant husbandry offerings and observe what the colony accepts. Fresh water should always be available.

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Specific temperature requirements are not documented for this species. They originate from southwestern Australia, which has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers. Room temperature (18-24°C) is likely suitable as a starting point. Observe colony behavior, if workers are active and foraging, the temperature is likely acceptable. Whether they require a winter diapause period is unknown. The mild climate of their native range suggests they may not need strict hibernation, but cooler temperatures during winter months may be beneficial.

Frequently Asked Questions

References