Dry Big-Headed Ant (Pheidole xerophila)

General: Pheidole xerophila is a small ant, but rather large for Pheidole. Their majors are very large compared to most species, but unlike similar pilifera-group species, their majors are very prone to foraging and being active in the outworld. They love (and need) heat, and they eat a variety of seeds.

Diet: Although seeds can provide both carbohydrates for workers and protein for larvae, it is recommended that Pheidole xerophila is also supplemented with the occasional sugarwater or honeywater droplet, and rather often fed protein in the form of insects (crickets, fruit flies, mealworms, etc). Make sure the colony is given fresh seeds regularly, and that old seed casings are removed in favor of new ones. Protein should be fed at least once-weekly, but removed after around a day.

Seeds eaten by Pheidole xerophila:

• Kentucky Bluegrass
• Dandelion
• Evening Primrose
• Sand Lovegrass
• Chia

It is recommended to feed multiple of these at one time. Their favorites seem to be Dandelion and Kentucky Bluegrass.

Temperature: These ants require heating. Their nest should ideally be between 86-90, but provide a heating gradient if possible, allowing for some cooler areas in the 70s optionally. If the ants are in a test tube, heat the front only, right around where the entrance is. The ants will move to where the most ideal temperature is. Pheidole xerophila will die without heat.

Diapause: Pheidole xerophila does not need diapause. These ants can continue to grow and thrive year round. If they do slow down in the winter, just lower their temperature to around 60 degrees and feed sugars regularly. After about 4-6 weeks, put them back onto heat, and they should begin growing again!

Growth: Brood development can finish in less than 4 weeks, if heated properly. Sometimes egg-worker can occur in around 25 days. Colonies get well above 1000 workers, but there haven’t been many large colonies in captivity.

Queen size: 6-7mm

Worker size: 3-4mm

Major size: 4.5-5.5mm

If ants arrive in bad condition, contact us for help. Live arrival is guaranteed.