6 replies to this topic

[yfaykya]

Hi,

 

I used to collect Lasius Flavus as a kid and was ant crazy. Back then before the internet there was only encyclopedias!

Got back into it hoping to intrigue my kids but I don't let them near them .. (yet?!).

 

Colonies :

Camponotus Herculeanus queen and a few workers

Camponotus Barbaricus queen and a few workers

Camponotus Ligniperda queen and a few workers

 

Pheidole Peili (2Q + workers)

Pheidole Noda Q + workers

Pheidole Flaveria 2Q + workers

 

Polyrhachis Dives 3Q + Workers

Messor Barbarus (multiple colonies) Single Q -> Q + workers

Messor Structor Q + W

 

Lasius Niger (multiple colonies) - all about 5-15 workers

Lasius Flavus Q + 1W

 

Myrmica Rubra 2Q + W

 

Pristomyrmex Punctatus ~50

 

Tetramorium Caespitum Q+3W

 

[WeatherAnt]

Welcome! 

 

You have quite the assortment of species there! 

[Martialis]

Indeed. That's a lot of ants.

[yfaykya]

I went and added a 4q Tetramorium bi colony also. About 500 workers and lots of alates.
Also when out rambling over the the weekend I happened upon a large myrica ruba colony. No idea how many queens yet but about 500 workers and lots of brood. I must stop now!

[TennesseeAnts]

Did you import the Polyrachis? If so, be sure they can't escape!

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, March 20 2019 - 2:52 PM.

[yfaykya]

Not sure they would last very long in our temperatures?

[drtrmiller]

Not sure they would last very long in our temperatures?

 

When the average temperature is too low to permit brood development to outpace the number of workers that die of natural causes (i.e. the worker replacement rate), then the colony will die off.  There is a great deal of literature focused on the outcome of tropical species introduced to cooler bioregions, and the result is always that the tropical species fail to thrive.