ANTSTORE World of Ants

[highered]

I went round my mum's on the bank holiday weekend and I checked on her many Lasius niger and Lasius flavus nests. I was very suprised to find, under one pavemnent stone, two different species living right next to each other. Half the space was taken up by the Lasius flavus, the other half by the niger. I thought Lasius niger was aggressive? I know Lasius flavus is passive, so can understand them not fighting the niger, but wouldn't the niger fight them away? They was no evidence of the niger even using them as slaves (I know they wouldn't do this anyway). The two nests were completely seperate, but right next to each other. Amazing isn't it?

[baumarkthammer]

Well in nature it happens sometimes. But as pets ants act very different and would kill each other.
In nature for example the majors of a Campontus spec. colony grow much bigger. But i never saw a L. flavus colony under a stone...

[klasi]

Hello,

i've often seen Lasius flavus under a stone togehter with Lasius niger.


,Klasi

[damondeionno]

This is quite common in my experience. Stones, wood, etc. I imagine the flavus just keep their nest secured.

[SteveUK28]

As long as there is plenty of food for both colonys then there really is no need for them to fight. I've seen it in my garden a few times.

[JimmyVe]

In deed, if they everything they need why take the risk in a fight, that will only waken the colony. Don't try it at home.

[highered]

Thats interesting, but if it works in nature, surely it might work in captivity, if both nests are given enough food and space?

[JimmyVe]

True, but its hard to give them all the space they need in captivity.

[Phasmid]

I have come across many examples of Lasius flavus sharing a rock with Laisus niger, Myrmica and Formica fusca.
Each time they seemed calm at first, but I noticed that if ant of one sp wandered into the area of ground (that I have exposed) of another sp, they would get very upset and fight, so each different ant sp must keep them selves to them selves if possible.
I have also found Myrmica sharing a mound with Lasius flavus. But, if I damage the mound, the Myrmica start killing the L.flavus workers after a few minutes.
If you were to try this in captivity, you need loads of space to prevent conflict.

[Eaglesword]

Even partner speciae that live door to door separate theire nests, but the workers take food side by side and r allied in defending theire territories and nests.

[Eretikas]

Well i even kept Lasius flavus and niger together as a one colony. I just gave for flavus larva from niger nest and whey where living friendlly

[Phasmid]

Ah, but thats like the slaves in Formica sp. Now try keeping two different queens (that are not parasites) in the same colony.

[Eretikas]

What do u mean queen parasite? Can u discribe or give a link where i could read more info

[Phasmid]

Well some ants (don’t know if there are any European ants like this) may live with a colony of another species, undetected, and steal brood and food from the host. This way there are two different colonies tolerating each other in the same living space, even if they don’t interact.

If you put two different territorial ants together (sharing the same tunnels etc.) they will probably fight.

[Eaglesword]

Dr. Berhard Seifert tells in his book about some coexistent speciae. Cases of parasitic and, as well, non parasitic vallues occure.