Temnothorax makora

Temnothorax makora

Temnothorax makora is a tiny ant species native to Japan, with workers measuring just 2-2.5mm in length ^[1]. Their body is black to blackish brown, and they have distinctive long propodeal spines about three times longer than their basal width, plus a high, reverse U-shaped petiolar node that helps distinguish them from related species like T. spinosior and T. anira ^[1][2]. These ants nest in dead twigs on standing trees in forests and forest margins, typically using twigs with a caliber of 1.5-3.0mm ^[3][1].

This species has a fascinating social structure, colonies are polygynous (multiple queens) with a high percentage especially in June just after mating season ^[3]. They produce only one brood per year in early spring, and new foundress queens often return to their mother's nest after mating, rather than establishing new colonies independently ^[3]. This makes them unusual among ants, as solitary colony founding is particularly risky for this species compared to related species ^[3]. They also serve as a host species for the parasitic ant Temnothorax kinomurai, which usurps their nests ^[4].

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Easy
• Origin & Habitat: Native to Japan, found in Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and the Nansei Islands ^[1][2]. They inhabit forests and forest margins, nesting in dead twigs on standing trees or fallen twigs on the ground ^[3][1][2].
• Colony Type: Polygynous colonies with multiple queens working together. Nest size is small, around 30 workers on average ^[3]. New foundress queens are commonly adopted into established colonies rather than founding new colonies independently ^[3].
  • Colony: Polygyne
  • Founding: Claustral
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Estimated 4-5mm based on genus patterns and worker size of 2-2.5mm ^[1]
  • Worker: 2-2.5mm ^[1][2]
  • Colony: Around 30 workers per colony ^[3]
  • Growth: Slow, they produce only one brood per year in early spring ^[3]
  • Development: Estimated 8-12 weeks based on typical temperate Temnothorax development at spring temperatures (Development is slow due to their single annual brood cycle, this is much slower than many common ant species)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at room temperature, around 18-24°C. They tolerate cooler conditions than many ants since they naturally experience Japan's temperate climate ^[1].
  • Humidity: Moderate humidity around 50-70%. Their natural habitat in forest twigs can dry out, so avoid overly damp conditions. Provide a water tube but keep the nest substrate slightly moist, not wet.
  • Diapause: Yes, they produce one brood per year in early spring, suggesting a winter rest period is important ^[3]. Keep them cool (around 5-10°C) for 2-3 months during winter.
  • Nesting: These tiny ants need small, tight chambers scaled to their 2-3mm size. They naturally nest in dead twigs with 1.5-3.0mm caliber ^[3]. Y-tong (AAC) nests with narrow passages work well, or you can provide natural twigs in a naturalistic setup. Avoid large, open spaces.
• Behavior: Peaceful and non-aggressive. Workers are small and timid, not known to sting. They forage individually and are not aggressive defenders. Because of their tiny 2-2.5mm size, escape prevention is critical, they can squeeze through very small gaps. They are arboreal/nesting in twigs, so they may not venture far from the nest to forage.
• Common Issues: tiny size means escapes are likely without fine mesh barriers and tight-fitting lids, slow growth with only one annual brood means colonies develop very slowly, colonies are small (around 30 workers) so expectations for colony size should be realistic, as a host for parasitic T. kinomurai, wild-caught colonies may have parasites that affect survival ^[4], single annual brood means overfeeding can lead to mold problems in the nest

Housing and Nest Setup

Temnothorax makora are tiny ants that need appropriately scaled housing. In the wild, they nest in dead twigs with a caliber of 1.5-3.0mm, both on standing trees and fallen twigs on the ground ^[3]. For captivity, Y-tong (AAC) nests with narrow chambers work well because the tight passages match their natural twig nesting preference. You could also use a naturalistic setup with actual twigs, though this makes observation harder.

The key is providing small, tight spaces, avoid large, open formicarium chambers that would make these tiny ants feel exposed. A test tube setup can work for founding colonies, but ensure the cotton is packed tight enough that these small ants cannot squeeze past it. Escape prevention is critical due to their 2-2.5mm worker size, use fine mesh on any ventilation and ensure lids fit tightly ^[3].

These ants don't need much space even at maturity since colonies only reach about 30 workers ^[3]. A small nest area of a few centimeters is sufficient for a mature colony.

Feeding and Diet

Like most Temnothorax species, T. makora likely accepts a varied diet of small insects and sugar sources. Their tiny worker size means prey items should be small, fruit flies, pinhead crickets, and small mealworms are appropriate. They are not aggressive hunters given their small size and peaceful nature.

Provide a constant sugar source like sugar water, honey, or diluted honey water. Change these regularly to prevent mold. Feed protein prey once or twice weekly, removing any uneaten prey after 24 hours to prevent mold growth in the nest.

Because colonies are small and grow slowly (only one brood per year), be careful not to overfeed. Excess food decays quickly in their small nests and can cause mold problems that may kill the colony ^[3].

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Temnothorax makora naturally inhabits temperate Japan, so they prefer cooler conditions than many tropical ant species. Keep them at room temperature, ideally around 18-24°C. They can tolerate temperatures toward the cooler end of this range.

These ants have a distinct annual cycle with only one brood per year, produced in early spring ^[3]. This means they benefit from a winter rest period. During winter (roughly November to March in the Northern Hemisphere), reduce temperatures to around 5-10°C and reduce feeding. This simulates their natural seasonal cycle and helps maintain colony health.

After winter, the colony should become active in spring as the queen lays her single annual brood. Be patient, with only one brood per year, growth is very slow compared to most common ant species.

Colony Structure and Reproduction

Temnothorax makora has an unusual and fascinating colony structure. Colonies are polygynous, meaning they have multiple queens, this is particularly common in June just after the mating and dispersal season ^[3]. Unlike many ant species where new queens establish independent colonies, T. makora queens often return to their mother's nest after mating and are adopted into the existing colony ^[3].

This adoption of new foundress queens into established colonies is more dominant in this species than in closely related Leptothorax species ^[3]. The colony size remains small at around 30 workers, which is typical for this genus ^[3]. The high percentage of polygyny and the tendency for new queens to stay in the maternal nest may help reduce the risks of solitary colony founding, which is particularly hazardous for this species ^[3].

Mating occurs in early morning, and sperm is stored in the queen's seminal receptacle (about 30µm in diameter) for future use ^[3]. The species also practices intra-colony inbreeding, with new foundress queens mating with nestmate males ^[3].

Behavior and Temperament

Temnothorax makora is a peaceful, non-aggressive species. Workers are tiny (2-2.5mm) and go about their business quietly without defending aggressively against threats. They are not known to sting, and their small size means even if they did attempt to bite, it would be barely noticeable to humans.

Foraging is likely done individually rather than in groups, typical of smaller Temnothorax species. They may not show the dramatic recruitment behaviors seen in larger ant species.

The main behavioral concern for keepers is their tiny size. At 2-2.5mm, these ants can escape through remarkably small gaps. Always use excellent escape prevention, fine mesh on any ventilation holes, tightly fitting lids, and consider barrier methods like fluon on nest edges. A single overlooked gap will result in escaped ants. ^[1][3]

Frequently Asked Questions

References