nortino: (19. Jun 2008 19:15)

"can you imagine the disastor if another 100 or 1000 people decieded to start collecting Formica queens?"

I respect your concern for endangered species miszt, and I share it, however I think the likelihood of another 1000 people deciding to collect Formica queens is approaching zero. I don't know if you've noticed but ant collecting isn't exactly a popular hobby. I agree that people who collect ants should behave responsibly; the whole thrust of what I'm saying is that I think I am behaving responsibly. I am aware that you don't agree. You have said so several times now. However, this doesn't mean that you have a monopoly on concern for this species. I have considered the issue, including the points you have raised, and I am of the opinion that my collecting these queens is not detrimental to these colonies or the species.

"its no wonder that some ant lovers get a bad name, and ants become protected"

Steve, do you seriously think that ants 'become protected' because of 'ant lovers'? And in any case, surely you would be happy if these ants gained legal protection. These ants are becoming endangered because of people who have no interest in ants destroying their habitats and spraying pesticides, so why don't you spend your energies campaigning about that instead of berating my 'attitude', which simply happens to be that I don't agree with you on this particular issue.

Skippy: (19. Jun 2008 19:27)

I didnt read all topic , but if someone wants to keep F.rufa , I can say it is not possible. Of course , they are protected probably everywhere.

I´ve had in terarium Formica polyctena , very similar species to this one , you can see the topic on this forum. I had colony with cca 10 queens , and about 500 workers. They built nest in terarium , but they killed all queens , only one stay alive (for a small place where they lived) , then it is hard to have brood in nest. They need a lot of insects , when you will not get insects as food for them , they very quickly eat all brood.
This was variant for terarium.
Then I had small colony with 2 queens in ytong nest and there it is possible , but also need a lot of food , and then is ytong very quickly dirty. But it is easier to have brood and maybe chance to keep them.

That is all from my experience , but still , they are protected so you probably cannot keep them , also damage their nests.

JimmyVe: (20. Jun 2008 18:04)

Jimmy please lock this thread since I think it's out-lived its usefulness.

Well i think you are wright. ;)

All i have to say (and as usual i have the last word ;) ), what done is done. We can all agree we want the best for ants. Lets keep it that way.

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