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highered: My Camponotus ligniperda aren't eating (5. Jun 2008 12:55)

I got my Camponotus ligniperda yesterday and gave them some blackcurrant jam which they didn't like then some white icing from a cake which they didn't like. Today I gave them some honey which they didn't like.
They look at the food and look like they are going to eat it for about a second then walk off. I am worried becuase as they are quite big wouldn't they need to eat more?
I have noticed my ants looking like they are kissing each other or kissing the queen. Would I be right in thinking that they are feeding each other? In which case does this mean they are eating afterall?
Thank you.

miszt: (5. Jun 2008 13:37)

Ants can be fusy, it may be the wrong type of honey, dont ask me which is the right type coz ants like humans have their own taste prefrence.

I recomend you use Sugar water, put one drop of water into a tea spoon of sugar, if they are hungry they will eat, if they aint they wont :)

Yes what you are seeing is them feeding one another, most ants store reserves of food in a special tomach that they can give to the rest of the colony

tail__: (5. Jun 2008 14:44)

Newly received ants often need a few days to feel safe and begin foraging. And they might have enough food stored in their gasters, adult ants usually need really tiny amount of food, most food goes to larvas, and some to the queen, but only if she is in egg laying mood. Give im some little dead insect, for small colony this is more important than sweets.

JimmyVe: (5. Jun 2008 21:38)

How big is this colony ? Have you tried giving them insects ?