Buckeye Myrmecology has been granted permits by the USDA which allow us to ship these ants to many states in the Continental US. All shipments of Pheidole obtusospinosa will include the relevant permit for your state and information on safe handling and disposal of these ants. States that we are allowed to ship Pheidole obtusospinosa to are listed below.
STATES AVAILABLE FOR SALE: Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Shipping Notice: Please note that ants are only shipped on Mondays to prevent colonies from being stuck in the mail over the weekend or exposed to poor weather for extensive periods. Orders placed after 12:00 PM EST on Sunday will be shipped one week later on the following Monday. If you are placing an order for UPS Next Day Air Saver and would like us to ship later in the week, please reach out to us via email. Live arrival is guaranteed, if your ants do not arrive in good condition, please take a picture of the ants and contact us within 2 hours of arrival. Please be available to bring your ants inside upon arrival during hot/cold weather, or ask your local post office to hold them for pickup. Shipping times are estimates, and are not guaranteed.
Species Difficulty: Easy, a great beginner species.
Max Colony Size, Growth Speed, and Structure: Pheidole obtusospinosa colonies can reach a large size. Unfortunately, their maximum size has yet to be documented, but it likely more than 10,000 workers. They also grow fast, capable of reaching 100-200 workers in 2-4 months, and quickly growing to over 1000 if properly fed and heated. This species is monogynous.
Worker/Queen Sizes and Polymorphism: P. obtusospinosa workers and queens are usually a reddish brown, with darker gasters, but they can occasionally be black as well. They are one of a select few trimorphic Pheidole species in the US.1 Minor workers are ~3.25-3.75 millimeters long, majors are around 5mm in length, and super majors are 6-7.5mm.1 Queens are approximately 10-12mm long.
Hibernation: This species does not need to hibernate, and doing so is not recommended.
Feeding Requirements: Pheidole obtusospinosa colonies require a constant source of sugars, typically either sugar water or honey. They accept common feeder insects for protein, such as superworms, mealworms, dubia roaches, and fruit flies. Proteins should be fed as often as the ants will accept them, or at least once a week. They are also granivorous, but seeds should only be offered alongside other food sources.
Heating and Humidity: This species requires a heating cable or mat, and must be kept over 75F. Prefers 80-85F. In captivity, they prefer medium humidity nests, with eggs and larvae requiring a higher humidity level than pupae. Workers will prefer cooler conditions than brood, so the use of a heating gradient across the nest is recommended.
Nesting Habits and Escape Prevention: In the wild, Pheidole obtusospinosa is found in the forested areas of the southwestern US, where they will nest in the soil, under rocks, or even in rotting wood.1 In captivity, they require substrate in their nests, so they will prefer grout and ultracal nests. Talcum powder or Fluon can be used to prevent escape.
Development Time: Approximately 4 weeks egg to worker time depending on heat and feeding.
Other notes: Pheidole obtusospinosa uses its supermajor caste to defend the colony against raids by Neivamyrmex army ants.
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