Lathidris rectithorax

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Unknown
• Origin & Habitat: Native to the highlands of central Mexico (Hidalgo, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Michoacán, Morelos) and Guatemala, typically at higher elevations in mountainous regions ^[1][2][4]. The species lives at higher elevations compared to related ants in the same complex ^[1].
• Colony Type: Unconfirmed, colony structure is not documented. Most Camponotini form single-queen colonies, but this hasn't been confirmed for Lathidris rectithorax specifically.
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: No measurements available in the literature ^[1]. Estimated from related Camponotini at roughly 9-12mm, but this is an approximation.
  • Worker: No measurements available in the literature ^[1]. Estimated from related Camponotini at roughly 4-7mm, but this is an approximation.
  • Colony: Unknown, no colony size data from research.
  • Growth: Unknown, development has not been studied.
  • Development: Unknown, no direct measurements available. Based on typical Formicinae patterns, estimate 6-10 weeks at warm temperatures. (Timeline is unconfirmed. Related Camponotus species typically take 6-10 weeks from egg to worker at optimal temperatures.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Likely prefers moderate conditions based on highland origin. Suggest 22-26°C as a starting point with a temperature gradient. Adjust based on observed colony activity.
  • Humidity: No specific data. Based on highland habitat, try moderate humidity, keep the nest substrate moist but not waterlogged, with a drier area for the ants to choose from.
  • Diapause: Unknown, no research on overwintering. The highland origin suggests some seasonal temperature variation may occur naturally, but specific requirements are unconfirmed.
  • Nesting: No data on natural nest sites. Based on related Camponotini, likely nests in rotting wood, under stones, or in soil cavities. A Y-tong or plaster nest with moderate moisture is a reasonable starting point.
• Behavior: Behavior is undocumented. Based on Camponotini patterns, likely relatively non-aggressive, active foragers that tend aphids for honeydew. Escape risk is moderate given the estimated worker size, standard Fluon or oil barriers should work. Lacks a functional sting, defense is by biting and spraying formic acid.
• Common Issues: no species-specific care information exists, keepers must experiment carefully, no documented temperature or humidity preferences, start with moderate conditions and adjust based on colony response, founding behavior is unconfirmed, do not expect the queen to seal herself in, no data on dietary preferences, offer a variety of sugars and proteins and observe what the colony accepts

Taxonomy and Classification

Lathidris rectithorax has a tangled taxonomic history. It was first described as Formica nitida by Norton in 1868,but that was a 'nomen nudum' (a name without a proper description) ^[1]. Later the same year, Norton validly described it as Camponotus (Formica) nitidus ^[1]. The problem was that another ant already had that name, Formica nitida Smith 1859, so it was a junior secondary homonym ^[1]. Forel proposed the replacement name Lathidris rectithorax in 1895 ^[1]. For many years it was treated as a subspecies of Lathidris montivaga, but Mackay and Mackay raised it to full species status in 1997 ^[1]. In 2025,based on evolutionary studies, it was moved from Camponotus to the newly recognized genus Lathidris ^[3]. When classified in Camponotus, it was placed in the subgenus Myrmentoma ^[3]. A variant called Camponotus nitidus var. nuperus Wheeler 1914 was also described but is now considered a junior synonym ^[1]. The type specimens come from Orizaba, Mexico, collected by Professor Sumichrast ^[1].

Distribution and Habitat

This species lives only in the highlands of central Mexico and Guatemala. In Mexico it has been recorded in Hidalgo, Michoacán, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Morelos states ^[1][4]. Specimens matching the original description are generally found at higher elevations in central Mexico, and the range extends south into the highlands of Guatemala ^[1][2]. One older source reported it from Bolivia, but this is likely a misidentification ^[5]. This highland distribution means the species is adapted to cooler, more seasonal conditions compared to lowland Neotropical ants. There is also a historic record from the state of Hidalgo at Guerrero Mill, east of Pachuca ^[1].

Identification and Morphology

Lathidris rectithorax can be told apart from similar species by a few key features. The front edge of the clypeus (the plate above the mandibles) is broadly and evenly convex along its underside ^[1]. The malar area, the space between the eye and the mandible base, has at most a few upright hairs near the clypeus ^[1]. In side view, the propodeum (the rear part of the thorax) drops off abruptly at a sharp angle, and the rear face is slightly concave ^[1]. Norton's original description noted there were only 'few scattered hairs on the face' ^[1]. These traits separate it from related species in the montivagus complex. Worker size is not documented with exact measurements in the literature, but based on related species, workers are likely in the range of 4-7mm total length, on the smaller side for Formicinae ^[1].

Care Recommendations

Since Lathidris rectithorax has never been documented in captivity, all care advice is estimated. Start with conditions that work for most highland Camponotini: a Y-tong or plaster nest with one area kept moist and the rest dry. Keep temperatures around 22-26°C and provide a gradient so the ants can choose their preferred spot. For food, offer sugar water or honey water for energy, plus small insects like fruit flies, small crickets, or mealworm pieces for protein. Since this species comes from highland Mexico and Guatemala, it likely doesn't need extreme heat. Watch the colony closely and adjust conditions based on what you see, if they huddle together and don't move much, try warmer. If they gather near water, increase moisture. Standard escape prevention for medium-sized ants (Fluon, PTFE, or oil barriers) should work. Record your observations and share them, any successful care is new information for this species.

Known Keepers and Availability

Lathidris rectithorax is not known to be kept in the antkeeping hobby. Colonies are not available from any commercial suppliers. The 2025 reclassification from Camponotus to Lathidris means that even if someone kept it before under the old name, those records are hard to find. Any keeper who gets this species would be pioneering its care from scratch. If you manage to keep this species, contribute your observations to antkeeping forums to help build knowledge for others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Report an Issue

The current care sheet is based fully on literature. See inconsistencies, or something that's incorrect? Please report here, it will be resolved after review from an admin. Contributing to the blogs tab also helps providing information, to make us be able to further improve the caresheets. Thank you for your support!

References