Tapinoma sessileSpecies Introduction
Claustral, and readily polygynous. A single newly-mated queen can seal herself in a chamber and raise the first workers on stored nutrients and metabolized wing muscles, but Tapinoma sessile colonies accept many queens, and multiple queens will happily found alongside one another. Unlike most pleometrotic species, the extra queens are not executed once workers arrive.
One of the most widespread ants in North America, ranging from southern Canada through most of the United States and into northern Mexico, from coastal lowlands up into the mountains. Polygynous and polydomous: a single colony spreads across several connected nest sites and can hold dozens of egg-laying queens. Nests are shallow and opportunistic, tucked under stones, bark, logs, leaf litter, and mulch, and colonies relocate readily when conditions change. Workers tend aphids and other honeydew-producing insects intensively. They are named for the smell they release when crushed, usually described as coconut, blue cheese, or rancid butter.
Forgiving, fast-growing, and endlessly active. Tapinoma sessile ask for very little beyond constant carbohydrates and a humid nest, and their tolerance for polygyny means a colony can scale quickly once additional queens start contributing eggs. They are small and capable escape artists, so a well-sealed setup and a fluon barrier in the foraging area are essential.
Formicarium
Substrate or hydrostone nests both work well. These ants nest shallowly under stones, bark, and logs in the wild, so thin chambers suit them nicely. A secure nest and a fluon barrier for the outworld are strongly recommended for these tiny escape artists. Be prepared to size up, as polygynous colonies outgrow a starter nest faster than most keepers expect.
Water & Humidity
Humid, with a gradient. Tapinoma sessile nest in moist soil and leaf litter in the wild, and will relocate within the setup if their chamber dries out. Keep most of the nest humid and leave a drier, warmer section where they can move pupae.
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 the center of this species' diet. In the wild, Tapinoma sessile take most of their calories from honeydew, tending aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects around the clock. Keep a sugar feeder stocked in the outworld 24/7. A colony left without carbohydrates will decline quickly.
We recommend providing our Honeydew Honey once a week. It replicates the micronutrient profile of the aphid honeydew that makes up most of their diet 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 drives brood production but makes up a smaller share of their diet than carbohydrates. We suggest feeding protein one to two times a week, scaling the amount up whenever there is a batch of growing larvae.
TrapJaw Labs feeds our T. sessile colonies with pre-killed Drosophila melanogaster and D. hydei fruit flies. Once the colony is larger, they will take most feeder insects, including pre-killed and cut mealworms.
One to two times per week. Increase amounts to scale with brood development.
Maintenance
Week 1: Settle the founding queen somewhere dark and undisturbed. Stress from disturbance can cause her to consume her own brood, so avoid checking on her during this process. If founding in a test tube with a TJL sponge, humidity and water will be maintained throughout. Multiple queens can be founded together, and they will not turn on one another.
Weeks 4–6: First workers ('nanitics') appear. Put out a stocked sugar feeder right away, as this is the point where carbohydrate access starts driving growth. Offer a small protein item once or twice a week. Early progress is modest, and it picks up sharply once the worker force is established.
Months 2+: Maintain humidity and liquid feeders 24/7. Growth becomes rapid, and any additional queens will begin contributing eggs. Plan a nest upgrade and more outworld space once the colony is using about 75% of the nest, and check your fluon barrier regularly as worker numbers climb.
Tapinoma sessile overwinter across nearly all of their natural range. Removing supplemental heat for 8–10 weeks starting in late autumn is usually enough. Keep liquid food and water sources fully stocked throughout, and do not allow them to freeze.
Care Summary
- Sugar feeder stocked 24/7 — their single most important requirement
- Protein 1–2×/week
- Humid nest with a drier, warmer section for pupae
- Gradient 70–85°F