caifara: Lasius flavus (25. Okt 2005 14:35)

Hi, I 'm pleasantly surprised to encounter this forum, I'm breeding ants for some time now. This year I have (since summer) tho queens of 'lavius flavus' (not absolutely sure, the worker ants are very small and yellow, the queen is black, and they're common in these areas).
But I have two questions about them. The queen and about 8 workers don't come outdoors, so I don't know HOW to feed them. Is this normal procedure for this species? I'm also not sure of WHAT to feed them.

Can anyone help?

(I don't know if you have specific rules about double posting, but I also asked this question in the dutch forum)

LeonofLondon: (28. Okt 2005 19:57)

Although I haven’t kept L flavus I do know that they are subterranean ants meaning they live almost entirely beneath the ground. You should just keep leaving dead insects for them or maybe even leave some food in the nesting area.

caifara: (28. Okt 2005 20:20)

allright, I'll give that a try...

should I use as small insects as possible or can I use for example flies too?

LeonofLondon: (29. Okt 2005 11:15)

I would try flys I cant see a problem why you shouldnt its best to experiment try none insectile food also like sugar and honey water try and keep them in the dark when you want them to feed this may help them come to the surface.

damondeionno: (30. Okt 2005 21:24)

Flavus are difficult to keep because of their subterranean nature. I believe that wild colonies subsist almost entirely on the secretions of aphids that they keep on plant roots - mostly grasses.

I'm not even sure that they will take insect food. I would suggest suggar/water. And maybe mix in some agar to help with protein.

Cephalothorax: (31. Okt 2005 08:53)

:sign_welcome: Welcome caifara :sign_welcome:

... or just keep them naturally by building kind of a grass nest with glass below it, so that you can watch them from below, and make sure there are some aphids in it...

that´s the way I will do with my flavus next year...

Cephalothorax: (31. Okt 2005 08:56)

But it´s not a description of keeping ants, but a general discussion==>

THIS TOPIC WILL BE MOVED!

(but caifara make sure to let us know mor about you keep your flavus in future)

caifara: (3. Nov 2005 23:16)

I will! And thank you for the warm welcome!

How do you see the grass nest?

The sugar does help at the moment, but I've put the sugar inside the nest (so, I still can't see the ants without removing the cover).