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Hi, I bought (about a month ago) a M yrmica rubra colony in a glass setup, a feeding area (quite large) tubed to a nesting area. The nesting area has been completely covered and dark, and damp, since they were put in the setup a month ago, but only a few stray foragers have gone in there, they refuse to move, and are gradually dying off. Recently i discovered all their brood are gone..
They always have fresh meat, from salami to moths and bugs, always fresh water, i take the bodies out, but they refuse to stop dying. Down to about 20 - 25 individuals now, any help would be great..
thanks.
Do you feed them any honey ?
Is the nest damp?
It may be that the nest is not damp enough, if there is no brood, there will be no way to replace dead workers, it may be that the workers are dying of old age, but you are noticing it more because theres no replacements
I have been putting water into the nesting area once a week using a pipette- i found 2 dead workers in there, and occasionally one will bimble about in the tubing, but other than that they are sticking to the test tube. They seem abit more lively today after dragging a live moth and devouring it- it was actually quite disturbing. I shall try giving them honey aswell.
Snide you absolutly must give them sugars, the insects are used only for feeding the queen and brood, without sugars your workers are starving to death, yes give them some honey or sugar water ASAP!
In deed, almost all species need some sweets, especially these ones. The love it very much.
Why did you wait so long to contact us (someone) ? There is plenty of information about these ants here and if you cant find it you are always free to ask.
Snide i give mine slices of fruit, even left over apple cores. They also have a test tube with sugar water and tablets cases with honey.. not to mention the odd drop of honey and sugar water i add to bits of fruit. as miszt says to keep your workers alive and well they NEED sugar.
I have been giving them sugar water every 2 days aswell as opened satsuma slices... still no brood present in the tube
what about insects?
Is there a queen in this colony ? Where did you get them ?