Polyrhachis dives
Temperature
24–28 °C
Humidity
70–85%
Colony size
3,000–20,000
Queen size
10–12 mm
Worker size
6–9 mm
Diet
Care Guide
Polyrhachis dives, commonly known as the Golden Tail Ant or Spiny Ant, is a striking species native to Southeast Asia and parts of Australia. These ants are renowned for their metallic green and gold coloration, as well as the prominent spines on their thorax and petiole. One of the most remarkable aspects of this species is their use of larval silk to weave leaves together into intricate nests, a behavior rarely seen outside weaver ants. Polyrhachis dives is a truly beautiful and engaging species that will reward an observant keeper.
Colonies are monogynous (single queen) and founded claustrally, meaning the queen seals herself in a chamber and raises her first brood without foraging. Despite their small queen size of just 10–12 mm, she can produce colonies ranging from several thousand to up to twenty thousand workers over time. Workers are polymorphic, ranging from 6–9 mm, and are fast, agile foragers that excel at gathering both liquid and solid food.
Care difficulty
Keeping Polyrhachis dives requires some experience, making them best suited for intermediate keepers. Their need for consistent warmth and high humidity, combined with an arboreal lifestyle and specialized nesting habits, means a standard soil-based formicarium will not suffice. However, once their environmental needs are met, they are hardy and active ants that rarely attempt to escape. They do not require hibernation, so they can be kept active year-round, which simplifies long-term planning.
Housing
Housing for Polyrhachis dives should mimic their natural tree-dwelling environment. A vertical formicarium or a setup with cork bark, twigs, and artificial leaves is ideal, as they prefer to build their silk-and-vegetation nests above ground. They are not strong excavators, so a test tube or a small chamber with a heat mat on one side works well for early colonies. Humidity is critical—maintain a range of 70 to 85% inside the nest area. The outworld should be well-ventilated but kept moist with regular misting. A temperature gradient between 24°C and 28°C is perfect; avoid sudden drops below 20°C. Because these ants spin silk, providing thin leaves or crumpled paper can encourage natural nest-building behavior, which is a joy to observe.
Their diet is straightforward: they need a steady supply of protein (small insects like fruit flies, crickets, or roaches) and carbohydrates (sugar water, honey, or commercial ant jelly). They also readily accept honeydew, so a small colony of aphids or scale insects in the outworld can be a fascinating supplement.
First days after purchase
Upon receiving your Polyrhachis dives colony, transfer the queen and brood into a well-prepared nest setup with high humidity and a gentle heat source. Place the formicarium in a quiet, dimly lit area and allow the ants to settle without disturbance for at least 48 hours. During this period, offer a tiny drop of sugar water and a small piece of insect protein near the entrance. Do not open the nest or shine bright lights directly at them. Observe from a distance; if the queen begins tending her brood and workers start exploring, you have succeeded. Over the following week, gradually increase the outworld space as the colony grows. With patience and attention to humidity, Polyrhachis dives will reward you with a shimmering, active colony that weaves its own home before your eyes.