Paratrechina longicornisSpecies Introduction
Claustral, but rarely started from a lone queen in practice. Paratrechina longicornis is polygynous and reproduces mostly by budding, so colonies are usually acquired and grown as fragments containing several queens and an existing worker force rather than founded from a single female.
A pantropical tramp species and one of the most widely distributed ants on the planet, established across Florida and the Gulf states and living indoors well north of that. Polygynous and polydomous: colonies hold many queens spread across several nest sites and expand by budding rather than by nuptial flights. They excavate very little, instead occupying whatever cavity is available, from leaf litter and loose bark to potted plants and debris. Their genetics are unusual, with queens and males each produced clonally and the workers arising as hybrids of the two lineages. The common name comes from the antennae and legs, which are absurdly long, and from the erratic sprinting that makes a foraging trail look like chaos.
Fast, chaotic, and endlessly entertaining. Paratrechina longicornis grow quickly, forage constantly, and will take food at almost any hour. The two things to respect are heat and containment. This is a tropical species that stalls without warmth, and they are among the best escape artists in the hobby, so a well-sealed setup with a maintained fluon barrier is not optional.
Formicarium
These are cavity-dwellers rather than diggers, so hydrostone or acrylic nests with thin chambers suit them better than deep substrate. Give them more outworld than you think they need, since most of the entertainment happens outside the nest. A secure lid and a well-maintained fluon barrier are essential, and be ready to size up quickly.
Water & Humidity
Moderately humid with a clear gradient. Paratrechina longicornis tolerate a wider humidity range than most tropical species, but they do best when part of the nest stays damp and the rest stays dry. Given the choice, they will shuffle brood around the gradient themselves.
Recommended to use TrapJaw Labs PVA sponges during founding for improved success rates and more nanitics.
Keep a liquid feeder with water (distilled, purified, or spring) in the foraging area at all times. The TJL Liquid Feeder is a good choice for a species this small and this fast.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates dominate their diet. In the wild these ants tend honeydew-producing insects heavily and will work a sugar source continuously, so keep a feeder stocked in the outworld 24/7. Sugar availability is the single biggest driver of how fast the colony grows.
Honeydew Honey or plain sugar-water both work well, though Honeydew Honey better matches the micronutrient profile of the honeydew they rely on in the wild. Please note that honey-water is not suitable for use in liquid feeders and should only be provided in feeding dishes or on top of sliced, organic apple.
We recommend providing sugar-water (we use our Ant Nectar Mix) and fresh-water liquid feeders in the outworld at all times.
Protein
Protein-hungry, especially while the colony is expanding. We suggest feeding protein 2–3 times a week. They are aggressive scavengers and will swarm a food item within minutes of it appearing.
TrapJaw Labs feeds our P. longicornis colonies with pre-killed Drosophila melanogaster and D. hydei fruit flies, cockroach nymphs, and sliced mealworms. They will take most feeder insects.
Two to three times per week. Increase amounts to scale with brood development.
Maintenance
Week 1: Keep the colony dark, warm, and undisturbed. If you are starting from a lone queen, avoid checking on her, as stress from disturbance can cause her to consume her own brood. A fragment that already has workers should be offered sugar-water straight away.
Weeks 3–5: Workers appear, or the fragment settles into its new nest. Put out a stocked sugar feeder and begin offering protein 2–3 times a week. Activity ramps up quickly, and the erratic foraging style becomes obvious almost immediately.
Months 2+: Growth is rapid and multiple queens will be laying. Maintain heat and liquid feeders 24/7, expand the outworld before it starts to feel cramped, and check the fluon barrier every time you open the setup.
Diapause is not required for this species. Paratrechina longicornis is tropical and has no overwintering period, so keep them warm and feeding year-round.
Care Summary
- Sugar feeder stocked 24/7 is what drives their growth
- Protein 2–3×/week
- Warm gradient 78–90°F, heat cable recommended
- Humidity gradient with a damp end and a dry end
- Serious escape artists, keep the fluon barrier fresh