Pheidole tysoni Species Introduction
Claustral. Single queen, sealed founding chamber, no outside food needed for the first generation. This species is monogynous, so expect one laying queen for the life of the colony.
Widely but patchily distributed, from New York south to northern Georgia and west through Tennessee and Kentucky, with separate montane populations in the mountains of southern Arizona and the Davis Mountains of west Texas between 1400 and 1800 meters. The range is largely cool-temperate and montane. A specialist of open, somewhat dry ground: fields, prairies, cedar glades, upland hardwood ridges, and pine barrens, generally on poor sandy or loess soils, though it is adaptable enough to have been recorded nesting in a New York City lawn. Nests sit under stones or in open soil, sometimes marked by a small crater of excavated earth. This is the smallest Pheidole in the eastern United States, with majors around 2mm and minors about 1.4mm, both a clear medium yellow, and the minors are small enough that a first glance can mistake them for thief ants.
A small, adaptable generalist that asks for very little. Pheidole tysoni tolerate a wide range of soils and conditions in the wild, and that translates into forgiving husbandry. The appeal is visual rather than dramatic: a clear yellow colony with proper big-headed majors at a fraction of the usual size. They are a cool-temperate species that does not want much heat, and they are small enough that containment deserves attention.
Formicarium
Substrate or hydrostone nests both work well. In the wild they nest under stones or in open soil across everything from fine sand to loam, so they are not fussy about the medium. Thin chambers show off the yellow coloring and the major-minor contrast nicely. A secure nest and a fluon barrier are sensible for ants this small.
Water & Humidity
Moderately humid with a gradient. Their wild habitats are open and on the dry side, on poor sandy or loess soils, so avoid keeping the whole nest wet. Keep one end damp and leave the rest drier, and they will settle wherever suits them.
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. It is recommended to use the TJL Liquid Feeder for these tiny ants as the mesh prevents accidental drowning.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are an important part of their diet. In the wild, workers tend aphids and collect nectar from low herbaceous plants, so keep a sugar feeder stocked in the outworld.
Occasional small honey drop in the outworld is fine.
It is recommended to use the TJL Liquid Feeder for these tiny ants as the mesh prevents accidental drowning.
Protein
Insect protein matters for brood production. We suggest offering protein two to three times a week, in small pieces suited to their size. They take insect prey readily, including items considerably larger than themselves.
TrapJaw Labs feeds our P. tysoni colonies with pre-killed D. melanogaster and D. hydei fruit flies as well as small pieces of mealworm. Keep items small so nothing goes to waste.
Two to three times per week. Increase amounts to scale with brood development.
Seeds
Seeds turn up occasionally in wild nests but are a minor part of the diet rather than a staple. You are welcome to offer them, though the colony will do perfectly well without.
This species is very small and prefers small seeds that are easy for them to handle. The TJL Seed Mix is a good place to start if unsure of what kind to offer.
Seeds can be stored in a cool, dry place or in a freezer.
Every other week (optional)
Maintenance
Week 1: Dark, warm, gently humid, and undisturbed. No food yet.
Weeks 2–4: First workers appear. Put out a sugar feeder and start offering small protein items two to three times a week. Majors take a while to appear and early growth is gradual.
Months 2+: Steady growth with majors becoming a regular part of the worker force. Keep the sugar feeder stocked and maintain the humidity gradient. They can be kept warm and feeding year-round.
Diapause is not required for this species, though activity may slow a little over winter.
Care Summary
- Sugar feeder stocked, they are nectar and honeydew feeders
- Protein 2–3×/week in small pieces
- Moderate humidity with a dry area, not a wet nest
- Gradient 72–84°F
- No diapause required
- Tiny workers, keep the barrier honest