The smallest species of ants

Are only large insects spectacular and exceptionally interesting to observe? Of course not! Small ants also delight breeders, and their daily lives are just as busy as those of their larger cousins. Join us to find out what the smallest species of ants are – both those that can be kept in home formicaria and those that live in the wild!

Small ants – what kind?

Ants, in themselves, are usually small insects, although there are some real giants among them – large ants can surprise even the most seasoned myrmecologists.

However, there are many more species of small ants in the world that are not impressive in size, but can still be very interesting to observe. What is more, many of them can be kept in home breeding colonies.

In order to simplify the presentation of these smallest of the small, for the purposes of this material we have assumed that small ants are those whose workers do not exceed 10 millimetres in size.

Real ant babies – the smallest ants in home breeding

Let us begin with small ants, which are really tiny in size, but observing them can be a fascinating activity for both children and adults.

Among the species of ants suitable for breeding at home, which are also very small in size, the species Pheidole megacephala is particularly noteworthy.

The queen reaches a maximum size of 8 mm, while the workers are no larger than 5 mm. It is also a unique species due to its occurrence in nature – ants can be found almost all over the world, but they are particularly fond of the tropics (after all, who wouldn’t want to live permanently in a nice, warm place, right?). They eat almost anything and do not require hibernation – so they can be an excellent species for any beginner breeder.

If you are looking for small ants that are exceptionally easy to breed, choose Pheidole pallidula. The workers of these ants reach 2-3 mm (minor) or 4-5 mm (major), and the queen can be up to about 9 mm long. They are very charming, their bodies take on a black hue with a slightly metallic sheen. What is more, these small ants are very docile – they live their lives peacefully, making them a rewarding subject for observation.

Or perhaps you would be interested in the most common small ant in Europe, Lasius niger? The workers of this species can reach a maximum length of 3 mm, while the queen is about 8 mm long. These insects are easy to breed and can even be successfully cared for by children, with a little help from their parents, of course. Despite their small size, Lasius niger ants are fascinating, and it is difficult to take your eyes off their daily activities!

Małe mrówki, ale średnich rozmiarów

Among small ants, there are also species whose representatives are slightly larger, but still rank among the smallest. One such insect is the Camponotus foreli ant, whose queen may slightly exceed 1 centimetre in length, while the workers are usually 6 to 10 mm long. This species is very pleasant to breed, feeding on nectar with water and feed insects. Thanks to their increased activity after dark, these small ants are ideal for evening observations.

The ant Manica rubida, or Polish red ant (wścieklica dorodna), is an exceptionally elegant representative of the ant family, which attracts attention with its beautiful body colour. The workers of this species reach a maximum size of 6-8 mm, and the queen can of course be larger (but does not exceed 12 mm in length). Please note that although the red ant is beautiful, it can also be dangerous – beware of its painful bites.

The list is completed by Camponotus mitis ants, insects native to Asia. Quite easy to breed, they do not require hibernation and delight with their unique colours at every turn. The black bodies of the ants are conspicuous thanks to their orange abdomens, which add extraordinary grace to these small insects (the queen can be up to 15 mm long, while the workers grow to about 10 mm in length).

The smallest species of ants in nature

We wouldn’t be ourselves if we didn’t also present a few interesting facts about ants!

In the natural environment around the world, there are many truly small species of ants. In Poland, there is the thief ant, or Solenopsis fugax. Its representatives reach a size of up to 2 mm, and in addition, there is polymorphism among the workers – some of them can be slightly larger and take on different colours. And where does the nickname “thief” come from? Solenopsis fugax lives somewhat at the expense of other species – unnoticed ants can inhabit the nests of others, stealing food. They are able to quickly escape with it, hiding in narrow holes.

The smallest known species of ant in the world is Carebara atoma. The size of these insects does not exceed 1 mm. Just grab a ruler and see how small these ants are!

The smallest species of ants are a perfect example of how small is beautiful – and, as is often the case in the world of ants, also very industrious!