25 replies to this topic

[DrygonKing]

Hey I just got some meal worms for my ant colony of one queen and one ant and was wondering how to feed them? Do I cut the worms? Will one worker be able to kill a meal worm? How often do I feed them? Thanks in advance.

Edited by DrygonKing, February 2 2019 - 5:15 PM.

[Leo]

It honestly depends on the species. For example, a single pseudoneoponera worker may be able to easily kill a full grown mealworm, whilst a lasius worker would most likely get smashed to bits by a mealworm. And since your colony only has one worker, I recommend you wait a biiiit longer until they have several workers. If you are hellbent on feeding them, then cut a mealworm into segments and give them the smallest one.

Edited by Leo, February 2 2019 - 5:22 PM.

[Skwiggledork]

I crush the head of the mealworm to try and be humane, then cut it up and offer them to my ants. One queen and one worker will only need a tiny sliver of protein, so I wouldn't offer them the whole thing too.

[DrygonKing]

Ok thanks. I’m feeding them as they had more workers but they died and it’s been aaalllmost a year and I haven’t fed them.

Edit: they don’t go into the outworld much. How long should I leave it and what are the chances they will find it?

Edited by DrygonKing, February 2 2019 - 5:31 PM.

[DrygonKing]

How long should I leave the pieces in the outworld for?

[Will230145]

Well if it’s over a year, put it right by the entrance of the test tube.

[DrygonKing]

Ok sure. They are in a formicarium though so I’ll put it in the entrance of that. And feed them a meal worm a week right? With sugar water every three days.

Edited by DrygonKing, February 2 2019 - 9:14 PM.

[Leo]

So let me get this straight. There is 1 queen and 1 worker. In a formicarium. And its been a almost a year since you fed them?

[Wa.Va]

Can we know what the species us ur talking about

[Serafine]

So let me get this straight. There is 1 queen and 1 worker. In a formicarium. And its been a almost a year since you fed them?

He probably gave them sugars otherwise they would likely be dead by now.

Here's my advice: Get fruit flies (you can buy a cup of them at the pet store for a few bucks, just throw it into the freezer).
If you can't get fruit flies give them a SMALL piece of mealworms (like 1-2 segments) and when it gets warmer go outside to catch some spiders, flies, grasshoppers, etc. (put them into the freezer and cut them into pieces)

p.s. Give them a test tube with water tank. A colony of 1 queen and 1 worker should NOT be in a formicarium.

Edited by Serafine, February 3 2019 - 1:27 AM.

[DrygonKing]

oh ok. thanks for the information. I didn't know that they can't be in a formicarium before a set time. il give them one/two segments of meal worm as our pet store does not sell fruit flies. 

 

Edit. the species is Formica argentea 

Edited by DrygonKing, February 3 2019 - 10:45 AM.

[DrygonKing]

 

So let me get this straight. There is 1 queen and 1 worker. In a formicarium. And its been a almost a year since you fed them?

He probably gave them sugars otherwise they would likely be dead by now.

 

yes I gave them sugars. every three days.

Edited by DrygonKing, February 3 2019 - 7:46 PM.

[Wa.Va]

I think for such a young Colonie, it would be better giving them fruitflies. U can easily order them online and they aren't expensive.

[Rstheant]

Also you can make many cultures out of one. Just get a container, like a restaurant soup takeout, and put mashed banana, apple, and other fruits. Then put some tissue, fake vines, etc. Keep them mildly warm and you should see maggots soon.

[DrygonKing]

Are they wingless? My mom will not let me have fruitflys that can get everywhere. Ants and meal worms is already pushing it

[YsTheAnt]

Are they wingless? My mom will not let me have fruitflys that can get everywhere. Ants and meal worms is already pushing it

Most fruit flies sold at pet stores are not wingless but flightless, meaning their wings are functionless stubs

[DrygonKing]

Ok sure I will look into that then. And when they reproduce still flightless?

[Nathant2131]

Ok sure I will look into that then. And when they reproduce still flightless?

Yes. Note that they can still jump pretty high so I find it better to stick the culture in the fridge for about 20 minutes before feeding (this will render the flies temporarily immobile) and taking out however many flies you need to feed. This makes it so half the flies don't escape.

 

I recommend always feeding prey humanely killed prior to feeding, especially for such a small colony.

[DrygonKing]

Ok. How many ants will it take to kill a fruit fly then? Their Formica argentea

[Leo]

Kill the fruit fly yourself.