ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Psychosimian]

I know that I really want to get an Ant Colony set up ASAP, but as with all things you have to do the research first.

I've spent (rather a lot of) time looking at my options on this site, and checking out details of various ant species on all the myrmecology sites I could find online.

I've narrowed the Species that i can afford and think I can handle down to:

#Pheidole pallidula
#Camponotus ligniperda
#Messor barbarus
#Myrmica sabuleti

Ideally i would really like to get Camponotus ligniperda because I read that they are Trophobiotic, and the idea of having an Ant Colony where they 'farm' another animal really appeals to me. The problem is that I also want to be able to watch a lot of what is going on, and so was thinking that the Large Starter Set would be ideal, but i dont think its big enough for even a small colony of this species.

Ideally, I would like to be able to watch the ants develop their world, though I accept that at least some of it will be hidden from sight. I'd really like to get a species that 'farms', though I think that the ones which keep 'stores' as such probably require too much space for my tiny flat!

Please can someone (anyone) advise on what i could do as I'd like to get ordering asap!

[NuEM]

Have you considered Lasius niger? I know they are common as dirt, and their availability may fool people into thinking they are boring and uninteresting. In fact quite the opposite is true. They are amongs the cooles ants to keep, and not only in my opinion.

They are active, agile and aggressive. Their colonies grow quickly, a few hundred ants in the second year is not unheard of. When they find prey, that is too much for a single worker, they rapidly recruit massive reinforcements. And if you let them they even build mounds and other structures.

Like most European ants they are trophobiotic, but don't expect too much from that. It can be harder to keep aphides than it is to keep ants.

[JimmyVe]

i would follow NuEM. and start with a Lasius niger colonie. I have two off them myself, they are interesting indeed.

I have to ask, wat is going on with the ASAP ? you know that ants take there time ?! you don't have a big colonie in a few mounds.
take your time.

Good luck,

[Psychosimian]

Lol, the ASAP is because it takes time! I want to get it all set up so they can get started with their building before the year is out!

I'm not really fussed about the size of the colony, more in watching them be creative!

Going to have to do a bit of research into the Lasius niger species then, they just didn't seem as interesting as some of the others...

[JimmyVe]

Maybe, but there a easy species to start with.
Its takes a little bit off time before you see some movement (if you start with a small colonie) and for the European ants its almost hibernation time.
I captured a Lasius niger queen late June and it has now about 20 workers, but they don't come out much yet. i presume that after hibernation the colonie starts growing faster.

Greets

[Psychosimian]

Hmmm... so if I got them now they would be sleeping for the winter? I live on the top floor of my building and so its always pretty warm - would they maybe skip hibernation because of this?

Also, ive been reading that a lot of people leave the tube that the ants come in in the tank at first and they build a colony in there... does this mean they wont head into the ant farm (tall, thin bit) and build colony in there without prompting?


(thanks for all your help btw)

[NuEM]

Basically all Eurpean ants will hibernate. You would have to get tropical ants to avoid that. And this is something you really do not want to do, especially as a beginner. There are several risks associated, and good luck if they escape. And trust me, they will escape, sooner or later. Everyone starting with "anting" will experience this at one point. So it's better to learn about it with less problematic ants. Rather some Lasius in your kitchen than Acromyrmex cutting leaves in your neighbour's garden! (As it is happening in Cologne!)

Plus it's a fallacy to believe exotic means more interesting. Our native ants show almost every behaviour you'd want. Watch Lasius niger raid an "enemy" nest withing their territory!

And hibernation does have its benefits. You'll get a break which you can use to improve your setup, build new stuff and so on.

You could try to keep them warm to prevent hibernation, but this will hurt your colonies health alot! You'll experience stagnating growth, or even shrinking population, and after 2-3 years they'll probably die.

About nesting in the tube, arena or farm, check the other thread.

[JimmyVe]

indeed, the ants need there hibernation !

about the tube, you can put it in the farm, they will move out if they like, don't pus it, take your time if the colonie is getting to big they will move.

Greets

[Psychosimian]

Should I cover the Ant farm in RED PVC or just the top or bottom part? Presumably they will naturally prefer the farm because ill wet the loam etc before putting them in there - i dont really want them setting up home in the arena as i wont be able to see what they are up to!

Hibernation is a bit of a pain as its nearly winter but at least i dont have to worry about feeding them if i go away at christmas!

[NuEM]

Cover the part where you want them to dig.

[Psychosimian]

Well i guess thats all of it!

Is this PVC stuff easy to see through?

[NuEM]

Depending on the light you'll be able to watch most of what the ants do below the PVC. For better view just pick it up. So don't glue it, just put some tape on one side.

[JimmyVe]

keep in mind that most of the ants don't see true RED PVC, but Lasius niger does. so maybe its better to take black PVC. (most Lasius sp. does) From other species its not proven jet.

[Psychosimian]

Im getting the Componotous ligniperda not Lasius niger

[JimmyVe]

in that case. i don't now about Componotous ligniperda. but you can try it out if you have them.