Temnothorax augusti

Temnothorax augusti

Temnothorax augusti is a small, slender ant species native to central Mexico. Workers are medium brown with yellowish tarsi, measuring approximately 3-4mm. They belong to the salvini clade of the genus Temnothorax and are distinguished by their moderately long antennal scapes, short propodeal spines, and subquadrate petiolar node that overhangs the caudal cylinder. This species is exceptionally rare in the ant-keeping hobby, known only from the type series collected from a Tillandsia epiphyte near Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. The epiphyte nest was shared with Crematogaster crinosa and Cephalotes wheeleri, making T. augusti one of the few arboreal-nesting Temnothorax species. The species was originally described as Temnothorax foreli but was renamed twice due to homonym conflicts, finally becoming T. augusti in honor of Swiss myrmecologist Auguste Forel.

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Expert
• Origin & Habitat: Central Mexico (Morelos: Cuernavaca) at mid elevation. Found nesting in Tillandsia epiphytes, making this an unusual arboreal-nesting species within a genus that is primarily ground-nesting^[1].
• Colony Type: Unknown. Colony structure has not been documented for this species. Based on related Temnothorax species, likely single-queen colonies, but this is unconfirmed.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Approximately 4.5mm (estimated from measurements: CS 1.285mm)
  • Worker: Approximately 3-4mm (CS 0.913-0.957mm)
  • Colony: Unknown. Related species typically reach 100-500 workers.
  • Growth: Unknown. Likely moderate based on typical genus development patterns.
  • Development: Unconfirmed. Based on related species in the salvini clade, likely 6-10 weeks at optimal temperature. (Development timeline has not been directly studied. Estimates based on genus-level patterns.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Unclear. As a Mexican species from mid elevation, likely prefers warm conditions in the low-to-mid 20s°C range. Start around 22-26°C and observe colony activity.
  • Humidity: Moderate to high. As an epiphyte nester, likely prefers humid conditions. Keep nest substrate moderately moist but not waterlogged.
  • Diapause: Unknown. Mexican species from Morelos may have reduced activity during cooler months but true diapause requirements are unconfirmed.
  • Nesting: Unique among Temnothorax, this species nests in epiphytes (Tillandsia). In captivity, a small naturalistic setup with tight chambers or a Y-tong nest with fine passages would likely work. Provide some vertical space and climbing structures.
• Behavior: Not documented. Based on related species, likely peaceful and non-aggressive. Workers are small and likely forage individually or in small groups. Escape prevention should be moderate, their small size means they could squeeze through small gaps, but they are not known escape artists.
• Common Issues: this species is extremely rare in the hobby and captive colonies are essentially unavailable, nesting in epiphytes means their exact housing requirements are uncertain, guesswork based on related species, no information on founding behavior or colony development in captivity, wild-caught colonies may have parasites or may not adapt to captive conditions, slow growth and small colony sizes typical of the genus may frustrate beginners

Discovery and Naming History

Temnothorax augusti has a complicated taxonomic history spanning over a century. William Morton Wheeler originally collected the type series from a Tillandsia epiphyte near Cuernavaca, Mexico around 1910. The species was first described as Temnothorax foreli by Forel in 1901,but this name was already used for a fossil species, so it was replaced with Temnothorax foreli in 1931. That name was also preoccupied, so finally Baroni Urbani renamed it T. augusti in 1978 in honor of Auguste Forel, the Swiss myrmecologist who originally described it. The species was moved from Leptothorax to Macromischa and finally to Temnothorax as taxonomic understanding evolved. ^[1]

Unique Nesting Habitat

What makes T. augusti particularly interesting is its nesting habitat. Unlike most Temnothorax species which nest in soil, under stones, or in rotting wood on the ground, T. augusti is an epiphyte nester, it lives in Tillandsia plants that grow on other plants. This arboreal nesting is rare in the genus and makes captive care more challenging since we have little direct evidence of their preferences. The type series was collected from a Tillandsia that was also home to Crematogaster crinosa (a common canopy ant) and Cephalotes wheeleri (a rare arboreal ant), suggesting T. augusti may prefer the canopy or upper story of vegetation. Related species in the salvini clade show varied nesting habits, but this epiphyte association is unusual. ^[1]

Identification and Close Relatives

Temnothorax augusti belongs to the salvini clade, specifically the augusti group within that clade. Its closest relative is Temnothorax casanovai, which was collected from a pitahaya cactus in neighboring Puebla state, Mexico. The two species can be distinguished by size, the distance between propodeal spines, the degree of sculpture on the first gastral tergite, and color. T. augusti has shorter propodeal spines (shorter than the propodeal declivity) and a faintly areolate, shining first gastral tergite, while T. casanovai has stronger sculpture and is duller in appearance. Workers have moderately long antennal scapes that surpass the posterior margin of the head by about the maximum width of the scape, and the petiolar node is subquadrate and overhangs the caudal cylinder. ^[1]

Keeping This Species in Captivity

Keeping T. augusti in captivity presents significant challenges. This species is known only from the type series, there are no established captive colonies and no documented husbandry success. If you obtain a colony, you would essentially be pioneering their care. Based on related species and their natural history, provide a small nest with tight chambers scaled to their tiny size. A Y-tong (AAC) nest with narrow passages or a small naturalistic setup would be appropriate. Temperature should be in the low-to-mid 20s°C range. Humidity should be moderate, think damp but not wet. Feed small protein sources like fruit flies, springtails, or tiny arthropods. Sugar water or honey may be accepted. This species is best left to experienced antkeepers who can document and share their findings with the antkeeping community.

Frequently Asked Questions

References