These very small ants are an amazing species to look at. The majors of this species can actually function as repletes and store food. Colonies are observed to grow to 2000 workers.
Pictures:
- Jonghyun Park
Pheidole pieli
Pheidole pieli ants are truly adventurers that you can encounter anywhere in South-East Asia, even in major cities. They build their nests in forest edges and patches with poorly developed vegetation.
The peculiarity of the Pheidole pieli is that there can be more then one egg-laying queens in the colony. The other ants are workers and there can be thousands, with a maximum of around 2000 workers. They work together to maintain the nest and find food. The Pheidole pieli is very small, about 1 to 2 millimeters long, major being 2-3 millimeters long, while the queen is larger, about 3 to 4 millimeters.
But don't underestimate them; they are small but brave!Have you decided to buy a Pheidole pieli? Know that these ants don't diapause meaning you can enjoy them all year round! Furthermore, it is a species that has hardly any requirements for conditions and habitat, just make sure they can't escape due to their size. In fact, they are not picky eaters: they especially like sugars from fruits, sugar water or ant jelly, as well as fruit flies, mealworms and crickets. Furthermore, you don't have to hydrate to nest to much, once a month is enough. In any case, make sure they always have an external water source when they are in their nest. For housing we highly recommend our acrylic nests as we have seen so many people succesfull with them.
Ant lovers often find pleasure in keeping Pheidole peeli as a pet. These tiny insects are fascinating to observe and can be an interesting addition to your household. Here are some tips for successfully keeping Pheidole peeli:
- Provide the right environment: make sure the ant colony's environment is kept at the right temperature. In general, this ant species thrives best at a room temperature around 25-28 degrees Celsius.
- Proper nutrition: choose sugar water and for small colonies (<200 workers) and small insects such as fruit flies, red runners and small crickets. The larger colonies you can also use other insects, such as flies and mealworms and sugar jelly. Make sure the food is clean and replace it regularly to prevent mold growth.
- Hydrate well: water and more water! Water should always be present. Place a small water container or liquid feeder in the nest, preferably with a cotton ball or sponge to avoid the danger of drowning.
- Observe, but do not disturb: Pheidole peeli ants thrive best when left alone. Observe them with patience and respect their natural behavior. Excessive disturbance can in fact cause stress and disrupt the colony.
They are not easily stressed, making them ideal for people who want to start keeping their own ant colony. Want more about Pheidole peeli, or any other ant species? Then feel free to contact us. Also, join us on our platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Our encounters with Pheidole pieli have been consistently favorable. We firmly believe that Pheidole pieli is an undervalued species in the world of ant enthusiasts. These ants are not only effortlessly manageable but also display remarkable activity levels and rapid growth. One notable feature of Pheidole pieli is their adaptability to virtually any habitat setup, making them incredibly versatile for enthusiasts.
Furthermore, their fondness for sugary sustenance is a delightful aspect of their dietary preferences. In our extensive experience, we've observed that they require minimal protein intake, simplifying their nutritional care.
