The Amber Javelin Ants

Amber Javelin worker

Welcome to the entry log of another amazing species! The Amber Javelin Ants, scientifically known as Gesomyrmex howardi!

For more information about their Ecology and Care Guide just click this link!

Now lets jump into the colony itself!

I received this in middle February 2022, bought as single Queen with brood.

Gesomyrmex colony

Luckily to my surprise the colony had come with one worker…. either it matured during the trip here or at sellers hands, I don’t know. But it made my day!

This is the test tube in which the colony came in (except the piece of wood which I added myself).

To note the black plastic plug with steel mesh barrier for ventilation and the additional dish for water or in my case I like to give honey water.

In the first month after arrival, the Queen was incredibly physiogastric, I think she was acting as a replete for the developing brood.

This turned out to be problematic at a certain point. One day, I noticed the Queen kept tumbling around the test tube and stayed on her back for long periods of time, hence the reason for me to add the piece of wood. To give her additional anchoring points, since she doesn’t seem very agile on the glass, unlike the worker, which not matter where is very agile and fast!

Amber Javelin Ant Queen

Also another reason why they are called Javelin, due to their speed on the branches.

Today, two months later, the Queen is much more fit and slender, and I am happy to announce that they had their third worker.

Gesomyrmex howardi colony

Still very bright colored but already doing some chores :)

If you look closely, you will be able to see a pupae with its black eyes, signaling its almost ready to eclose as well into the fourth worker. Yeay!

Gesomyrmex howardi workers

I have given this colony small roaches before, and they have taken it. I tend to do this every two weeks or so. But since they are growing, I will increase the frequency.

Overall, I tend not to touch this colony too much, as arboreal ants are always very sensitive to vibrations. And so far so good, seems my stay away regimen as been working.

Gesomyrmex brood

In future I want to add a proper hollow branch to see if they will move onto it. That would be cool to photograph.

Well this is it for this entry log for Gesomyrmex howardi.

Once again thank you for stopping by, I hope you have enjoyed and cheers!