sithmaster676: Feeding small colony of Lasius niger (4. Nov 2006 12:06)

hi
i have already placed a few other topics but i was just wondering whether i am feeding my colony right.
currently i have been feeding them a variety of flies and also a lot of apples and banana.
is this ok they have plenty of water but have now gone into hibernation.
sithmaster676

Sced: (4. Nov 2006 12:12)

hi
Yes there diet seems good, but you should feed them honey water or sugar water as well

mpir: (4. Nov 2006 12:42)

I'd say that the most important food for almost all species of ants is sweet or honey water. Proteins (insects) are food for larva. While ants need carbohydrates that is shugar.

While in hibernation this type of food is not important. Otherwise I'd advice you to offer them various mixtures of water and honey. Find out what they like the most.

NuEM: (4. Nov 2006 15:44)

Fruits should work as a substitute for honey.

JimmyVe: (4. Nov 2006 17:18)

I rather give them honey. but fruits are okay to. if the colony gets bigger you can give them other bugs to. Try some out and find out what they like. ;)

sithmaster676: (4. Nov 2006 18:09)

hi all
thnx 4 all the replies i hva another question about my ants if you would not mind answering 4 me plz
i was wondering wot would happen if all my workers died during hibernation would this result in the death of the queen or would she be able to survive until new eggs hatched.
sithmaster676

mpir: (4. Nov 2006 19:25)

If you would offer her honey-water and if she would eat it she would probably make it.

sithmaster676: (4. Nov 2006 19:51)

hi
tnx 4 the reply ihope it doesnt come down to her bein on her own they will need a lot of food i suppose when they wake up.
and another question wot is the usual life expentacy of an worker ant
Sithmaster676

mpir: (4. Nov 2006 21:50)

It is different from species to species. And of course of conditions they live in. A worker ant can live up to 5 years.

The longes life span of a Lasius niger queen in captivity was 29 years. On the other hand the queen of pharoh ant lives only about 3 months.

sithmaster676: (5. Nov 2006 11:06)

hi all
thnx for the quick reply i hav antother question if you wouldnt mind anwsering i was wondering if an messor barbarus colony would be able to live in this setup and if so for how long i would also attach the small arena Sithmaster676 [web]http://www.antstore.net/shop/product_info.php/products_id/1146/cPath/39_75/glass-formicariums/glass-ant-display-40x30x1-8cm[/web]

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]