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Sphecomyrmex: Temperatures for Hibernation (11. Nov 2008 10:23)

Hi,

I've a lot of ants that need hibernating in winter, but i don't know what temperature is needed for their hibernation...
I'ld want to know the hibernation temperature (minimal temperature, maximal temperature needed, and finally the temperature that could cause the death) of these species and the period of their hibernation:

Crematogaster scutellaris
Messor structor
Lasius niger
Lasius emarginatus
Camponotus lateralis
Camponotus vagus and hercoleanus
Formica fusca
Ponera coarctata
Plagiolepis pygmaea
Solenopsis fugax
Aphaenogaster dulcinae
Tetramorium caespitum
Myrmica rubra

Must the humidity be the same, or must i change the air humidity during hibernation?

Thanks very much

JimmyVe: Re: Temperatures for Hibernation (11. Nov 2008 12:14)

South European ants hibernate at 10-15°c
North European (and middle) ants hibernate at 5-10°c

If you have sand nests your ants will survive temperature from 0°c but if you have them in tubes or a y-tong i would stay around 5°c.
Humidity can stay the same. You don't need to change that.

Sphecomyrmex: Re: Temperatures for Hibernation (11. Nov 2008 13:14)

Thanks...and how much time must they stay in hibernation? For all the winter, or only in the months the most cold?

Daint: Re: Temperatures for Hibernation (11. Nov 2008 15:05)

North eurupe sometimes in march u can take them out. Southern i think end of febury :)

JimmyVe: Re: Temperatures for Hibernation (11. Nov 2008 16:07)

European ants 4-6 months, South European ants 2-4 months.