How to feed Pheidole pallidula

Pheidole pallidula has two clearly visible castes: many small workers and big-headed soldiers that cut up food.

Calculate exact amounts for your colony →Based on worker count, brood and temperature. Free, no account.

What does Pheidole pallidula eat?

Protein: chopped or whole prey (crickets, flies): the soldiers cut it up.
Seeds: it accepts small seeds (chia, dandelion) as a supplement.
Sugar: sugar water or diluted honey, refreshed regularly.

How much to feed

Guidelines for a colony with a moderate amount of brood, at 22–28 °C (72–82 °F):

WORKERS	PROTEIN	SUGAR / 3–4 DAYS	SEEDS
10 (Nanitics)	1 prey item every 5 days	1 drop	0.1 g / week
50 (Small)	5 prey items every 4 days	2 drops	0.1 g / week
150 (Growing)	14 prey items every 3 days	6 drops	0.2 g / week
400 (Established)	34 prey items every 3 days	15 drops	0.6 g / week

1 prey item = one insect the size of a fruit fly (2–3 mm). A medium cricket (1 cm) is worth about 50 prey items. 1 drop ≈ 0.05 mL. Seeds: 1 g ≈ 170 millet seeds ≈ 750 chia seeds; 1 teaspoon ≈ 4 g.

These are starting points. If food is left after 24 h, give less; if everything disappears fast and the brood grows, give more. The calculator also adjusts for brood and temperature.

Hibernation

Light hibernation from December to February, around 10–12 °C (50–54 °F).

Common mistakes

Underestimating protein needs: soldiers are expensive to raise.
Using badly sealed tubes: the tiny workers get through anything.
Leaving leftovers: populous colonies produce waste fast.

FAQ

What are Pheidole soldiers for?

Cutting up prey, defending the nest and sometimes storing food.

Does Pheidole eat seeds?

Yes, as a supplement to insects and sugar.

How do Pheidole escape?

Through the smallest gaps: tiny workers. Use an escape barrier (paraffin oil, talc).

Open the calculator for Pheidole pallidula →Feeding log, journal, growth chart and forecast, shopping list.