Plagiolepis pygmaea

Name: Plagiolepis pygmaea
Origin: Southern Europe, southern Germany, and North Africa (xerothermic dry grasslands on limestone soils)
Queen: approx. 3.5 – 4.5 mm
Workers: approx. 1.1 – 2 mm – one of the smallest ant species found in Europe
Food: Carbohydrates (mainly honeydew, sugar water), proteins (smallest feeder insects)
Humidity:
Arena: 30 – 50%
Nest: 50 – 60%
Temperature:
Arena: 18 – 30 degrees
Nest: 21 – 28 degrees
Winter Dormancy: Yes, at approx. 15 degrees
Nest Type: Simple, small nests (test tube, plaster) are sufficient
Colony Size: several thousand individuals, often polygynous (multiple queens)

Advantages and Disadvantages of Plagiolepis pygmaea:

Advantages:
A tiny, fascinating species with a partly polygynous colony structure, uncomplicated to keep.

Disadvantages:
Due to the extremely small size of the workers, especially fine escape-proofing is necessary – the tiniest gaps are used.

Care:
A test tube nest is sufficient for a long time, but fine, tight-meshed escape-proofing is necessary.

Feeding:
Honeydew substitute (sugar water, honey) as the main food, supplemented with the smallest feeder insects.

Winter Dormancy:
Requires a winter dormancy at approx. 15 degrees.