Temnothorax gordiagini

Temnothorax gordiagini

Temnothorax gordiagini is a small, active slave-making ant species native to the Palearctic region, originally described from Kazakhstan. Workers measure 2-3mm and are dark brown with brown-yellow mandibles, antennae, and legs. The species is distinguished from other Myrmoxenus species by having 12-segmented antennae in females (other species have 11). This ant is an obligate social parasite, it cannot establish its own colonies and must invade host Temnothorax colonies to survive ^[1][2].

What makes this species particularly interesting is its unique combination of traits: it's one of only two Myrmoxenus species that have nuptial flights, and it represents the oldest splitting-off lineage in the Myrmoxenus phylogeny. The queen enters a host colony, kills the host queen by throttling, and then uses the host workers to raise her own brood. Workers conduct raids on neighboring Temnothorax colonies to enslave their brood ^[2][3].

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Expert
• Origin & Habitat: Originally described from Kazakhstan near Kokshetau, with records across the Palearctic including Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Russia (Western Siberia), Sweden, and Estonia ^[4]. Found in thermophilous deciduous forests with Quercus pubescens and Fraxinus ornus, nesting under flat stones and in stone crevices at elevations from 325m to 1500m ^[2][5].
• Colony Type: Monogyne, single queen colonies. The queen invades a host Temnothorax colony, kills the host queen, and becomes the sole reproductive. Colonies can reach up to 40 workers ^[2][6].
  • Colony: Monogyne
  • Queen: Socially parasitic
  • Special: Slave-making
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: 3.1-3.6mm ^[1]
  • Worker: 2-3mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Up to 40 workers in mature colonies ^[2][5]
  • Growth: Slow, dependent on host colony resources
  • Development: Unknown, development occurs within host colony using host worker resources (Development is tied to host colony productivity. First workers typically emerge in the first year after queen invasion.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at room temperature (18-24°C). This species has been found in habitats ranging from Mediterranean thermophilous forests to montane zones up to 1500m in Turkey ^[2][7].
  • Humidity: Moderate, typical for deciduous forest floor habitats. Keep substrate slightly moist but not waterlogged, with some dry areas available.
  • Diapause: Likely requires winter dormancy given northern distribution range. Based on similar temperate Temnothorax species, expect 2-3 months at 5-10°C during winter.
  • Nesting: This species cannot found colonies independently, it requires a host colony. In captivity, you must keep the parasite with a host Temnothorax colony (such as T. lichtensteini, T. korbi, or T. bulgaricus). Natural nests are under stones and in stone crevices, a naturalistic setup with flat stones works well ^[2][5].
• Behavior: This is an active slave-maker with distinctive behaviors. The queen infiltrates host colonies and kills the host queen through throttling. Workers conduct organized raids on neighboring Temnothorax colonies using group recruitment and sting fighting, then carry back brood to enslave. They are not aggressive toward humans and cannot sting effectively. Escape risk is moderate, small but not as tiny as some other Temnothorax species ^[2][5].
• Common Issues: host colony failure will kill the parasite colony, if the host dies, T. gordiagini cannot survive, obtaining a host colony is challenging, you need both the parasite and a compatible Temnothorax host species, colonies remain small (max 40 workers) which makes them vulnerable to stress, this species is rare in the antkeeping hobby and difficult to acquire legally, ensuring ethical sourcing is critical, do not collect from protected areas

Housing and Host Requirements

Temnothorax gordiagini is an obligate social parasite that cannot survive without a host colony. This makes keeping it fundamentally different from most ant species. You must maintain both the parasite and a compatible host Temnothorax species (such as T. lichtensteini, T. korbi, T. bulgaricus, or T. graecus) together in the same enclosure ^[2][5]. The host colony provides all worker labor, foraging, nursing brood, maintaining the nest, while the parasite queen simply lays eggs. In nature, colonies have been found under flat stones and in stone crevices, so a naturalistic setup with suitable hiding spots works best. The two species should be housed in a way that allows interaction but prevents the host from completely rejecting the parasites ^[2].

Feeding and Nutrition

The host workers do all the foraging, so T. gordiagini relies entirely on the host colony to provide food. The host Temnothorax workers will collect honeydew, sugar water, and small insects just as they would for their own colony. You should feed the host colony a standard Temnothorax diet: occasional sugar sources (honey water, sugar water) and small protein items (fruit flies, small crickets, mealworms). The parasite workers will eat whatever the host workers bring back to the colony. Do not expect to directly feed the parasite ants, they will consume food brought by their host workers ^[8].

Slave-Making Behavior

This species exhibits classic dulosis (slave-making) behavior. A young, inseminated T. gordiagini queen enters a host Temnothorax colony and locates the host queen. She kills the host queen by throttling (strangulation), a direct physical attack rather than chemical warfare. Once the host queen is dead, the parasite queen takes over as the sole reproductive. Her workers (when they eventually hatch) conduct organized raids on neighboring uninfested Temnothorax colonies. These raids involve group recruitment and what researchers describe as 'sting fighting', combat using their stinger. The raiders steal brood (eggs, larvae, pupae) and bring them back to their nest. The stolen brood emerge as adult workers that become enslaved, working for the parasite colony as if it were their own ^[2][5]. This is one of only two Myrmoxenus species known to have nuptial flights, the queens and males fly to find mates and new host colonies ^[3].

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Based on collection records from Mediterranean to temperate zones (Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, and Kazakhstan), this species tolerates a range of conditions. In Slovenia, colonies were found at 325m elevation in thermophilous deciduous forest. In Turkey, colonies were discovered from 1200-1500m in montane to subalpine zones. Keep the colony at room temperature (18-24°C) with moderate humidity. Given its northern distribution (Kazakhstan, Sweden, Estonia), winter dormancy is likely necessary. Provide 2-3 months of cooler temperatures (5-10°C) during winter, similar to other temperate Palearctic Temnothorax species ^[2][7][4].

Legal and Ethical Considerations

This is a specialized species with limited distribution. In some countries, it may be protected or considered vulnerable. The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable D2 in Bulgaria due to its restricted distribution and small number of known populations ^[9][10]. Before acquiring this species, verify that it is legal to keep in your jurisdiction and that any specimens were ethically sourced from permitted locations. Do not release this species or its host colonies into the wild outside their natural range, they could become invasive or spread parasites. If you can no longer keep the colony, consult with experienced antkeepers or institutions about proper disposition ^[9][10].

Frequently Asked Questions

References