Temnothorax manni

Temnothorax manni

Temnothorax manni is a small, slender ant native to central Mexico. Workers are medium brown with smooth, glossy surfaces and measure approximately 3-4mm. The antenna has 12 segments, and the propodeal spines are small but visible. The petiolar node appears rounded when viewed from the side. This species belongs to the sallei-clade, a group of closely related Temnothorax species ^[1].

These ants inhabit oak-pine woodland at high elevations between 2600-2800m in the Mexican states of Hidalgo, Morelos, and Guerrero. The original specimens were collected from wooded hillsides with oak and pine vegetation, where the deeper canyons were riparian but the hillsides remained dry. Only known from type specimens, making this one of the rarer acorn ant species in captivity ^[1].

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Central Mexico (Hidalgo, Morelos, Guerrero states) at 2600-2800m elevation in oak-pine woodland ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Likely single-queen (monogyne) colonies based on typical Temnothorax patterns, though colony structure is unconfirmed for this species.
  • Colony: Monogyne
  • Founding: Claustral
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Approximately 5-6mm (estimated based on related species in the sallei-clade)
  • Worker: 3-4mm ^[1]
  • Colony: Likely under 500 workers based on typical small colony size for the genus
  • Growth: Moderate, typical for Temnothorax
  • Development: 6-10 weeks at optimal temperature (estimated based on genus-level data for temperate/highland Temnothorax species) (Development time is estimated as this species has not been directly studied. Higher elevation origin suggests they may develop slightly slower than lowland tropical relatives.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep at 18-22°C. Their high-elevation origin (2600-2800m) suggests preference for cooler conditions than many tropical ants. Avoid temperatures above 25°C.
  • Humidity: Moderate humidity (50-60%). The oak-pine habitat had dry hillsides, so they likely tolerate drier conditions than typical forest-floor ants. Provide a moisture gradient so ants can choose their preferred zone.
  • Diapause: Likely yes, high elevation origin suggests they need a winter rest period. Provide 2-3 months at 10-15°C during winter.
  • Nesting: Use small test tubes or Y-tong nests with narrow chambers scaled to their tiny size. They naturally nest in small cavities in rotting wood or under bark in acorns and twigs.
• Behavior: Generally peaceful and non-aggressive. Like other Temnothorax, they are active foragers but not aggressive defenders. Workers are small and may be overlooked by larger ants. Escape prevention is important due to their tiny size, they can squeeze through standard test tube openings if not properly sealed.
• Common Issues: tiny size makes escape prevention critical, use fine mesh and tight-fitting lids, high elevation origin means they may struggle in warm rooms above 25°C, limited availability since only known from type specimens, slow colony growth typical of the genus may frustrate beginners, dry habitat preference means overwatering can be fatal

Housing and Nest Setup

Temnothorax manni is a tiny ant that needs appropriately scaled housing. Use test tubes with small water reservoirs, or Y-tong (AAC) nests with narrow chambers and passages. The chambers should be just wide enough for 2-3 workers to pass through comfortably. These ants naturally nest in small cavities, in the wild they inhabit rotting wood, under bark, and in hollow twigs or acorns. A naturalistic setup with smalldecorations like cork bark or artificial acorns works well. Because of their small size, escape prevention is critical. Use cotton wool properly packed in test tubes, and ensure any connections between outworld and nest are sealed. A small outworld (5-10cm) is sufficient for colonies under 100 workers. ^[1]

Temperature and Seasonal Care

These ants come from high elevations in central Mexico (2600-2800m), so they prefer cooler temperatures than most ant species. Keep the nest between 18-22°C. Room temperature is often ideal for this species, if your room stays around 20°C, no heating is needed. Avoid placing them near heat sources or in direct sunlight that could push temperatures above 25°C. During winter, provide a diapause period of 2-3 months at 10-15°C. This can be done in an unheated garage, basement, or refrigerator (if in a test tube with proper ventilation). The winter rest helps trigger spring breeding behavior and supports long-term colony health. ^[1]

Feeding and Diet

Like other Temnothorax species, T. manni is omnivorous but prefers protein sources. Offer small live prey such as fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or small mealworms. They will also accept sugar water, honey, or diluted maple syrup as an energy source. Feed protein 2-3 times per week, and keep a sugar source available at all times. Remove uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold. Because of their small size, prey items should be appropriately sized, fruit flies and small insects are ideal. Observe your colony's preferences and adjust feeding accordingly. ^[1]

Humidity and Water

Temnothorax manni comes from a relatively dry habitat (dry hillsides in oak-pine woodland), so they are more tolerant of drier conditions than many other ant species. However, they still need access to water. A properly set up test tube with a water reservoir and cotton barrier provides humidity through the water column. Aim for moderate humidity around 50-60% in the nest area. You can provide a moisture gradient by having part of the nest closer to the water reservoir and part farther away. This lets the ants choose their preferred zone. Avoid keeping the nest too wet, unlike tropical species, these ants can develop mold problems in overly damp conditions. ^[1]

Colony Development

Temnothorax colonies grow slowly compared to many common ant species. A newly mated queen will take 6-10 weeks to produce her first workers (nanitics) at optimal temperature. The first workers will be smaller than mature workers. Colony growth is gradual, expect several months to reach 20-30 workers, and potentially a year or more to reach 100+ workers. This slow growth is normal for the genus and should not be cause for concern. The queen will continue laying eggs throughout the year (except during diapause), and worker numbers will steadily increase. Patience is key with this species. ^[1]

Handling and Observation

These tiny ants are peaceful and can be observed without aggressive defense behavior. Workers are active and will forage in the outworld, making them interesting to watch. However, their small size makes them easy to lose track of, use a well-lit outworld with a dark background for better visibility. When observing, avoid disturbing the nest too often as this can stress the queen. Unlike larger ants, they won't bite or sting defensively, so they are safe to handle gently. Always use proper escape prevention since they can slip through tiny gaps that larger ants cannot. ^[1]

Frequently Asked Questions

References