Brachymyrmex depilis
Temperature
20–26 °C
Humidity
50–70%
Colony size
500–3,000
Queen size
3–4 mm
Worker size
1.5–2 mm
Hibernation temp
8 °C
Diet
Care Guide
Brachymyrmex depilis is a tiny, easily overlooked ant native to much of eastern and central North America. The queen reaches only 3–4 mm and workers a diminutive 1.5–2 mm. Coloration is a uniform pale yellow to light brown. Despite their small size, these ants are fascinating subjects for keepers who enjoy detailed observation under a magnifier.
In nature B. depilis is largely subterranean, nesting in soil and under stones. The species is strongly tied to honeydew-producing root aphids and coccids, which workers tend underground for sugar-rich secretions. This behavior makes the species an interesting curiosity for keepers, though replicating it in captivity is difficult.
Colonies are modest, typically 500 to 3,000 workers at maturity, and the species is closely related to several other small "rover ants" in the genus that share similar lifestyles.
Care difficulty
Intermediate. The small size of the ants makes feeding tricky — only the smallest prey items will do — and the species' reliance on subterranean honeydew sources is hard to replicate. A proper winter hibernation is required for long-term colony health.
Housing
A small starter setup with a moist soil-themed nest works well. Maintain temperatures at 20–26 °C during the active season with humidity at 50–70 %. Offer fruit flies, springtails, and other very small invertebrates two or three times per week, alongside frequent droplets of sugar water or honey. Hibernate the colony at 8 °C for two to three months from late autumn.
First days after purchase
Settle the colony in a calm, dim location and offer a tiny droplet of sugar water within the first day. These ants are too small to easily feed individual prey items, so plan on providing pre-killed fruit flies or springtails. Minimize disturbance and observe with a magnifier rather than opening the setup. Once the colony has 50 or more workers, transition gradually to a small purpose-built formicarium.