ANTSTORE World of Ants

[jackal]

After your elucidations and your councils I have decided to abandon the idea to buy Myrmecia. I would want to raise one species of great dimensions, prevailing carnivorous mind. What thoughts of the Formica sanguinea? Where I can buy or find one Queen? It is enough similar to the F.Rufa, which is the differences?
Thanks very much

[JimmyVe]

Sorry Jackal, i can't help you with this, i don't now where you can buy them.

[mpir]

jackal, as I was told (not so long ago) lots of the Formica species ants are protected in Germany. And this doesn't only mean that it's illegal to sell them, it is also illegal to have them at home. Most of... well pretty much all online antstores are situated in Germany, meaning no chance of buying them.

As I was told, there is another problem with Formicas. If you would have them at home they would most likely die soon due to mould problems.

My advice to you is: buy a Messor queen or a small colony. They had nuptial flights in september so it shouldn't be a problem to buy them. They are very interesting species, they have great workers (soldiers) and they grow into a big colony (more than 10 000).

And another thing, they are easy to keep.

[jackal]

jackal, as I was told (not so long ago) lots of the Formica species ants are protected in Germany. And this doesn't only mean that it's illegal to sell them, it is also illegal to have them at home. Most of... well pretty much all online antstores are situated in Germany, meaning no chance of buying them.

As I was told, there is another problem with Formicas. If you would have them at home they would most likely die soon due to mould problems.

My advice to you is: buy a Messor queen or a small colony. They had nuptial flights in september so it shouldn't be a problem to buy them. They are very interesting species, they have great workers (soldiers) and they grow into a big colony (more than 10 000).

And another thing, they are easy to keep.

Thank You for Your interest.I've seen that Messor have also soldiers,but I would like to have ants of big size (like F.Rufa)...
Another ant I like is Pheidologeton diversus...but for the moment is too expensive for me...
So I have to think...

[NuEM]

Formica sanguinea is not protected, though. It may be traded. In fact I bought a queen with a few Formica fusca slaves myself, just a few weeks ago. Although I don't know of any shop, that is offering F. sanguinea, it may be helpfull to check out the trading section of this and other boards. That's where I got mine from.

[jackal]

Someone can sell me a queen of Formica Sanguinia?or said me where I can buy?
I'm Italian.
Thank You

[NuEM]

Places you might check regulary(in german, though):

http://www.antstore.net/auction_sitemap.php
http://www.antstore.net/index.php?c=29 <-- I even found someone offering Formica sanguinea there:

E-Mail: andre.petto-at-gmx.de

Verkaufe noch eine 120 Frau Starke Raptiformica sanguinea Kolonie. Sie hat bereits Sklaven (Formica fusca) und eine Queen ist natürlich auch dabei. Preis 45 €

Dieses Gebot besteht bis zum 29.10.2006

That offer includes a colony of 120 ants, together with slaves and queen, for 45
€. The offer is valid until oct 29th. They might already be sold, though. I'd email him quickly.

I believe the same offer can also be found here: antforum

[JimmyVe]

Thank You for Your interest.I've seen that Messor have also soldiers,but I would like to have ants of big size (like F.Rufa)...
Another ant I like is Pheidologeton diversus...but for the moment is too expensive for me...
So I have to think...

For a starter i think you better take easy'er species than Pheidologeton diversus. I now soldiers or more interesting to see but it would be a shame if the colonie dies because you haven't got any experience.

Good luck.

[jackal]

Places you might check regulary(in german, though):

http://www.antstore.net/auction_sitemap.php
http://www.antstore.net/index.php?c=29 <-- I even found someone offering Formica sanguinea there:

E-Mail: andre.petto-at-gmx.de

Verkaufe noch eine 120 Frau Starke Raptiformica sanguinea Kolonie. Sie hat bereits Sklaven (Formica fusca) und eine Queen ist natürlich auch dabei. Preis 45 €

Dieses Gebot besteht bis zum 29.10.2006

That offer includes a colony of 120 ants, together with slaves and queen, for 45
€. The offer is valid until oct 29th. They might already be sold, though. I'd email him quickly.

I believe the same offer can also be found here: antforum

Thank You,I have contacted immediately the man who was selling the Raptiformica colony but he had just sold.
If I didt found I'll wait spring and then I buy in the shop.
Another question:in nature F.Rufa make cone nest with detritus.In the nest where is the queen?If possible someone can make a pictures?

[NuEM]

I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure you'll get a colony, eventually.

As far as I know Formica rufa queens will stay deep down inside their nest, that might be up to 1m below the ground. In spring and early summer they might move up a bit to warm up. I don't really know for sure, though.

[JimmyVe]

most of the queens stay below ground for there hole life.

[Gilgameesh]

Re. the formica rufa queens.....

In early spring (late april - early may here in Denmark) you can see the queens on top of the nest together with the workers on sunny days.

They are "sunbathing" gettin´ there fertility starting after the winther. A nest contain between 10 to 100 queens.

So if you want a colony of formica rufa spring is the best time to get it. You don´t need to digg and destroy the nest, just grab 1 og 2 queens and some workers.

Formica rufa queens can NOT start a colony on their own. After mating they need to find their way back to the "mother"nest or some "satelite" nests.

Allso, most formica species need A LOT of space to grow and thrive....

[Sced]

hello jackal
You can by colonys of Formica rufa colonys from this site

buyants.co.uk