Tetramorium
Look beyond the pavement-ant name.
Modern identification makes older pavement-ant care claims worth checking.
T. immigrans is the principal species example; historical T. caespitum records may refer to a different taxon.
Decorative illustration · not an identification referenceOlder names can mix different ants
UF/IFAS explains that North American immigrant pavement ants were long called T. caespitum before T. immigrans was resolved in the species complex. Old labels can therefore hide a different species.
Source: University of Florida IFAS · Immigrant pavement ant
In your setup
Keep the source and date of an identification. Do not silently rename every Tetramorium colony as T. immigrans or transfer every older care claim to it.
A generalist is not a seed-only feeder
The T. immigrans account includes arthropods, honeydew and seeds in its diet. It describes colonies usually having one queen, with exceptions; that is not advice to merge colonies.
Source: University of Florida IFAS · Immigrant pavement ant
In your setup
For worker colonies, supply drinking water and manageable carbohydrate and insect food. Record acceptance before changing portions. Inspect stored or discarded seeds for spoilage.
Track workers and brood over time rather than treating a laboratory development time as a deadline. Confirm origin and species before choosing heat or winter-rest settings; no fixed temperature or annual schedule follows from the pavement-ant name.
Record observations without predicting a flight
In your setup
A winged ant at a nest, a flying swarm and a queen on the ground are different observations. Record the local date, approximate area and identification confidence. This guide does not provide a regional flight forecast.
Build a record for this colony
In your setup
Log dated food responses, reservoir and containment checks, and worker and brood estimates. Mark estimates as estimates and leave unknown facts blank. These notes do not fill in or alter your saved colony profile.
Before acquiring or moving ants
Consult the library’s movement guidance and official sources and the authorities relevant to your location.
Sources and review
Research statements link to their sources. “In your setup” contains practical keeper suggestions, not findings tested for every species. Source check: 2026-10-17.
- University of Florida IFAS · Immigrant pavement ant
Updated identification history, food resources, social structure and biology of T. immigrans.
Keep your own field notes.
Record care, dated counts and what you observe. Species and counts can stay blank when you do not know them.
Open ANTS · not sampleThe current beta is invitation-only. This does not create an account or change your records.