SirJet: Collecting additional workers (21. Aug 2008 22:44)

I collected a queen and about 10 workers from a Myrmica rubra colony in the wild about a week ago; I did ensure the colony had more than one queen first.

If I wanted to collect some more workers (10 – 20) from the colony in the wild, and add them to my ant farm at home, would they be accepted into the ant farm since they all came from the same colony originally? Or would this cause fighting ect. ?

gabranth: (21. Aug 2008 22:46)

they would probably start fighting now as there now 2 separate colony's and have different scents

SirJet: (21. Aug 2008 23:03)

That's what I thought... Thanks for the fast reply.

Mehrunes: (22. Aug 2008 02:01)

This is a interesting question. I don't know better but in which way does the scent evolves?
At least the ants don't know they are an own colony now, why do they develop a new scent?

And regarding the original question: Wasn't there a way to add them anyway? I remember reading about a test tube with a grid so that they can't fight but would possibly adopt the scent. Is that true?

damondeionno: (22. Aug 2008 09:00)

I disagree with Gabranth. I kept Myrmica Rubra when I was younger and you can successfully add workers from the same colony in my experience. This only works if you do it relatively soon after the first collection.

highered: (22. Aug 2008 13:26)

I think it would be ok as it takes a while for a new scent to develop.

JimmyVe: (22. Aug 2008 17:51)

When you handle fast (don't wait a few weeks) you can still add workers form the 'old' colony to the 'new' one.

And regarding the original question: Wasn't there a way to add them anyway? I remember reading about a test tube with a grid so that they can't fight but would possibly adopt the scent. Is that true?

Yes there was a topic about this a few weeks (months) ago. It worked out in that case but it is not a 100% water proof. I would not recommend it.

SirJet: (22. Aug 2008 22:20)

Thanks for the info guys, i think I'll play it safe and allow the colony I have to grow in thier own time.

JimmyVe: (24. Aug 2008 13:34)

Probably the best way. ;) Good luck with them.

akell: Re: Collecting additional workers (26. Okt 2008 15:54)

I read that if the queen's colony and new workers are cooled separatley, and then the new workers are added while the colony is cool, there is a good chance the new workers will be accepted. I believe it was in Journey to the Ants by Holldobler & Wilson.
I think they had a lot of ants to experiment with though...