Pheidole smythiesii
A big-headed ant from South Asia: small workers and large soldiers with massive heads. A rare species in the hobby.
Species at a glance
- Origin: China, India, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam
- Colony: small minors and big-headed majors
- Difficulty: intermediate, for keepers with some experience
Care conditions
- Temperature: 24–28 °C
- Humidity: 50–70%
- Food: small insects 2–3 times a week, sugars (diluted honey, syrup) and optionally a few small seeds, which the big-headed majors crack
Hibernation
There is no exact data. Subtropical species are usually fine kept warm all year or with a mild winter drop to 15–18 °C for 1–2 months. If the queen stops laying, try such a cool spell.
Farm and colony growth
The queen founds the colony alone and needs no food until the first workers appear; a young colony lives in a test tube until it gets crowded. Small workers squeeze through the tiniest gaps: use a tight lid, fine mesh on the vents and an anti-escape barrier.
Please note
This species is rare in the hobby and there is little verified care data. The conditions are based on the climate of its range and on related species; check them with the seller and watch how the colony develops.