Alexander:): Manica rubida (24. Mai 2008 11:27)

Hey Guys

Ive had some lasius niger for ages now. And there going well.

So i was thinking about getting some Manica r ubida.

Cause they look really cool.

Could you please give me some info on them?

Thanks

Alex.

Skippy: (24. Mai 2008 11:52)

Very nice , bigger ant specie , when is colony bigger or big , then it is also agressive :)

some pics here http://www.arad.ic.cz/galmrubida.html

it like whet ytong or soil nests , a lot of hot at summer and A LOT of insects to eat ;)

Skippy

Alexander:): (24. Mai 2008 11:58)

Wow thanks Skippy.

When you say alot of heat at summer, do you mean i have to heat the nest up?

Thanks

Alex.

Skippy: (24. Mai 2008 12:29)

it is better to heat a part of nest , then pupae became workers very early ;) and you will have bigger colony soon

Alexander:): (24. Mai 2008 17:45)

Could I Keep them in a farm ??? And heat part of that with a lamp?

Thanks

Alex.

JimmyVe: (26. Mai 2008 15:21)

You could give them a heat mat, but it is not necessary with this species. These species are very common in central Europe so they should do just fine without extra heating.

Skippy: (26. Mai 2008 15:22)

yes , that´s true , they live under heat stones , so you can heat slow only at day , and turn off at night ;) ... only in summer , at spring they dont need heating

mpir: (27. Mai 2008 08:14)

From my experience this species loves cold. And too much heat will make the colony only die slowly. I think that also in summer the species should not be kept at temperatures over 20 oC and only a part of nest should be heated. Simulating hot stone heated by sun.

Close to my home I found this species living in nature only at the confluence of two very cold rivers where also in summer you need to weare a sweater. :D And they live there in very stoney and wet terrain. Which is scorched during the day.

Good luck with this species, I personally found it very hard to keep and unfortunately the queen died during the winter hibernation.

tail__: (27. Mai 2008 08:29)

These ants are quite common in cities of southern Poland, especially in Silesia. They are very rare in natural environment (except mountains) but seem to adapt perfectly to city life. Their nests are almost always in sand under pavement in open places, so the concrete blocks heat them a lot in sunny days.

Alexander:): (27. Mai 2008 11:15)

Im not going to get this colony after all.

I bought some Myrimica Rubra yesterday because i herd they were good fun and they look really cool!

Should come in a couple of days :D WOOO

lol thanks

Alex.