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Hello! I have some questions regarding Myrmica rubra, as I understand these are a good ants for a first colony.
How large will the colony grow if I order 50-100 workers, along with the queen that I assume comes with the order? I would like a large colony if possible.
What happens if the Queen dies? I know the colony will slowly die but can I add a new queen to the colony and carry on? Will she contunue to produce eggs?
Are Myrmica Rubra active diggers?
Do they need a humid environment? Do I simply need to mist the arena daily?
How do I guarantee the starter set I am planning on ordering is escape proof?
If I keep the colony in my bedroom out of the sun is this acceptable, as they will burrow to get away from the light if they need to, correct?
Can someone please suggest the correct set up for this species, including all the extra things I may need. Is a starter set adequate or do I need as extra y-tong, and if so, can I connect this to the main set up?
Thank you!
T
Hello, I'll try and answer some of your questions.
Myrmica rubra colonies in nature can easily reach a few thousand workers. I've never heard about anyone keeping a colony of this size, though. But it should be possible.
Myrmica rubra is polygynous, one colony can have several queens. So one queen dieing will not make much of a difference. If the only remaining queen dies, the colony can still adopt another one. This is different from a few other ant species, that will never allow more than one queen in a given colony.
Myrmica rubra likes to digg. And they do need a humid nest. You do not want to mist the arena though, as you dont want them to nest inside the arena itself. So keep the nest humid, the arena dry, and let them have access to fresh water.
The starter set usually needs additional treatment to become escape proof. Liquid paraffin (not kerosene!), PTFE or talcum powder can be used to create a barrier the ants will have a hard time crossing. This, together with a fitting lid should keep the ants inside.
It's good to keep the colony out of the sun, the greenhouse effect of the formicary will harm or even kill the ants. Standard room lighting is enough. You can add additional lighting if you want to have a better view. Myrmica rubra doesn't need any addition heating.
The starter set contains the most important things you need, but you should browse through this board a few hours. This will give you hints what else might come in handy.
Hi tombud10,
Nuem give you plenty of good information to start with. ;)
The only thing i can add to it is this.
They like the nest area very moist (up to 80%) and they especially like sweets (sugar/water, honey, ...)
Hi all,
Tombud 10, i sugest that every now and again you should feet your Myrmica rubra a small insect that is alive. The ants are natruly agressive and so you should feed them a small fly or beetle lavae so they can attack and kill it. ( dont worry if the insect is to big, because Myrmica rubra can sting.)
p.s:
do not do this with a young colony, for they might not be strong enuf to fight.
I got a myrmica rubra colonie with one queen and 8 workers no eggs though, i'm a little worried about them..I see some workers grabbing the queen behind the head and dragging her around. They wont leave her alone to go anywhere or do anything. Is this normal for this species?
Hi Wallboy and welcome.
It is normal in this way, they are probably looking for the best spot to hide (protect) the queen, also where the heating and moist is best for her.
It is not normal if they keep doing it, in this case you have 2 options.
1, they don't find a good spot so you need to adjust you setup (farm)
2, they queen was added later to the colony (with this species that is possible) and they are not accepting her.
All the ants are nesting in the tube that connects the ant farm to the basin / arena area...bit weird since they have all that moist soil and dark area to nest inside the ant farm itself...as far as I know the queen is part of the existing colony though.
The strange thing is one ant died and they placed the body in the ant farm, I removed it afterwards...is that why they didn't wanna go in there?
And Thx for the Welcome, good to be here! :D
It is good that you removed the dead worker. No i don't think that is the reason that they are not going in there.
How long do you have them and how long are they in that arena ? Sometimes it takes a while for them to move.
From Kiam - today 20:42
Verfasst am: Heute um 20:42 Titel: Myrmica Rubra Questions... And Others
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Heres a question I need Say like I was out and I found some myrmica rubra queen ants and I put them with my colony will they join or be killed ? And has anyone had a colony where they eat woodlice because none off my ants i dont think eat them...
Could I put Brood from lasius niger and lasius flavus colonys into the myrmica rubra
I have been doing some tests on my lasius niger by putting some lasius flavus brood in there and I think there accepting them but you must wait till the come out
One more thing I have a few huge cocoons 1 or 2 in lasius niger which I found when I lifted a rock up They are like 4 times the size off a worker... What could they be Are they like Winged ants like queen ones coming out off them?
And i also have some lasius flavus cocoons which are huge to
Last Question What If i put a queen of lasius flavus and myrmica rubra together at the same time with no brood or anything will they fight or maybe will they start a colony with each other and stay away and like be allies or something?
I hope you can answer some off my questions:)
Greetings
Hi Kiam, i think you need to learn more about ants soon !
You can put a Myrmica rubra queen with an existing colony. but you better do this during there hibernation, they change she will be taking in is bigger this way.
Most ants don't eat wood lice they milk them, especially Lasius flavus
No you can not put that kind of brood into Myrmica rubra they will eat it !
It could be that Lasius flavus except Lasius niger cocoons.
That are probably cocoons from winged ants. you better leave them under the rock, they are no use for you !
No they will not mate !!! They probably fight till dead ! You can find much of information about you question on this site already.
If you have question you may ask them, but try to find some things yourself to. you learn allot this way.