Description
Bumblebee Dart Frog – Dendrobates leucomelas
Taxonomy corrected September 2026: this product was previously listed as “Dendrobates ‘Lucemalia’” and described as Dendrobates tinctorius. The recognised Bumblebee/Yellow-banded Poison Frog is Dendrobates leucomelas, a species separate from D. tinctorius.
The word “Lucemalia” in the old listing appears to have been an erroneous spelling rather than an accepted species name. Unless Frogfather has separate lineage records showing that “Lucemalia” was intended as a private line name, the product should be treated taxonomically as D. leucomelas.
Appearance
D. leucomelas typically shows yellow/orange banding over a dark background, with substantial individual variation in pattern and intensity.
Husbandry
Provide a well-ventilated planted enclosure with deep leaf litter, numerous refuges and useful wet/drier microhabitats. Frogfather commonly keeps this species at moderate tropical-room temperatures in the low-to-mid 20s °C, but one fixed 22–26°C range should not be treated as a universal optimum.
Social housing
D. leucomelas can sometimes be maintained in compatible groups, but group tolerance is not guaranteed. Monitor mature animals for chasing, exclusion from feeding sites and changes in body condition.
Feeding
Offer appropriately sized live prey with an evidence-informed supplementation programme. Microfauna in the enclosure can supplement feeding opportunities but should not replace deliberate feeding.
Last reviewed: 5 September 2026. Species identification corrected against current amphibian taxonomy.
Taxonomic source
Amphibian Species of the World – Dendrobates leucomelas
