ANTSTORE World of Ants

[delete-14751]

Does anyone know the Largest European Ant? Im looking for the largest worker, than just the largest queen.

[JimmyVe]

As for as i know that would be Camponotus ligniperda.

[mzfckr]

i dont know if im right but i think its Camponotos ligniperda and herceluanos.

[delete-14751]

Which one in your mind is the best to keep? (ie. Cool looking, easyest to look after, most intesting)

[JimmyVe]

They are not that hard to keep. Only the colony grows really slow. In fact all European Camponotus species grow slow.

[delete-14751]

By slow, how slow do you mean? Whats you fave ant and why (Jimmy)?

[gabranth]

by slow he means it takes months for them to turn from egg to worker

[NobleK]

Hello everyone

I am new to both this forum and ant keeping and I too am interesting in the Camponotos ligniperda and herceluanos ants.
I decided to try with one of them for several reasons:

1. They are large so they may be easier to observe
2. They are (so I hear) fairly easy to keep, even for beginners
3. They are native to where I live, so I don’t risk introducing a foreign species to the eco system

However, before I place the order I would like to hear if someone could give some advice about the farms and equipment needed for this species, preferably with links to the items here at antstore.
Can I use one of the starter sets they have here (http://www.antstore.net/shop/index.php/ ... arter-sets), or do I need something special. I would prefer a farm consisting of two parts (a nest and the foraging area) as it looks most interesting. Do I need any additional equipment like heater, lamp or moisturize. Or maybe something like a bird feeder for the water?
Any help is greatly appreciated as I wish to give my ants the best start.

PS. My apologies to you Antmanant if I have “taken over” your thread, but I believe that you would be interested in this information as well. I didn’t want to make a redundant thread.

[delete-14751]

No problem NobleK, i too wish to know what you asked. If you go ahead and set up using Camponotos ligniperda can you let me know how it goes?

[gabranth]

noblek this species don't need heating there also big so they need a large farm http://www.antstore.net/shop/product_in ... 30-cm.html thats if your going to keep them in a farm as the normal 2cm farms are too small

[NobleK]

No problem NobleK, i too wish to know what you asked. If you go ahead and set up using Camponotos ligniperda can you let me know how it goes?

Of course. I think I will choose Camponotos ligniperda over herceluanos because of the more interesting color.

Thank you for your answer and the link gabranth. What about the foraging area, should that be larger too?

Also, is there a time of the year more suited for starting a colony (spring/autumn) and more importantly, is there a time when it should not be done?
If there is anything else we should be aware of please let us know

[gabranth]

im not sure about a foraging area it probably doesn't need to be very big as they only going to forage there

[NobleK]

Oh, by the way, does this species hibernate and if so, at what temperature? The problem is that I live in a flat and do not have a place where the temperature is so low. If this is a requirement then I will probably have to wait for a year or so when we buy a house with a basement.
Or is there perhaps another species similar to this one (in size and easy maintenance) that does not hibernate.

[gabranth]

yes this species require hibernation at 5-10 degree's

[tail__]

Don't you have a refridgerator?