39 replies to this topic

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I wonder if the ants come in the Mini-Hearth, or if you have to move them in. Or if they just send the ants as soon as they can, and then send the formicarium once they finish it.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Can these chew through PLA?

[ponerinecat]

This seems a bit expensive.

[Silq]

This seems a bit expensive.

It is but some people will pay for it. What surprises me is that hobbyists will pay for this when they can get other local species dirt cheap. For $90, I think this would deter many people. Since I came into the hobby over a month ago, it was hard to justify to my wife for paying $50 for an ant when money wasn't really an issue for us. I was able to get my Pogonomyrmex less than $1 per queen and since I have 20+, I know deaths will occur and if a new hobbyist got one queen and unluckily had it die, it would be a great deterrent to purchasing another. Since I have a background in business, I do understand the pricing of it because a business cannot survive selling queens for $30 unless they could sell to a large community but this hobby is still super tiny imo. I would put a warning or recommendation to have these for more intermediate+ hobbyists.

[RushmoreAnts]

 

This seems a bit expensive.

It is but some people will pay for it. What surprises me is that hobbyists will pay for this when they can get other local species dirt cheap. For $90, I think this would deter many people. Since I came into the hobby over a month ago, it was hard to justify to my wife for paying $50 for an ant when money wasn't really an issue for us. I was able to get my Pogonomyrmex less than $1 per queen and since I have 20+, I know deaths will occur and if a new hobbyist got one queen and unluckily had it die, it would be a great deterrent to purchasing another. Since I have a background in business, I do understand the pricing of it because a business cannot survive selling queens for $30 unless they could sell to a large community but this hobby is still super tiny imo. I would put a warning or recommendation to have these for more intermediate+ hobbyists.

 

But if those 'ant farm ants' started coming with queens......

[Ender Ants]

 

 

This seems a bit expensive.

It is but some people will pay for it. What surprises me is that hobbyists will pay for this when they can get other local species dirt cheap. For $90, I think this would deter many people. Since I came into the hobby over a month ago, it was hard to justify to my wife for paying $50 for an ant when money wasn't really an issue for us. I was able to get my Pogonomyrmex less than $1 per queen and since I have 20+, I know deaths will occur and if a new hobbyist got one queen and unluckily had it die, it would be a great deterrent to purchasing another. Since I have a background in business, I do understand the pricing of it because a business cannot survive selling queens for $30 unless they could sell to a large community but this hobby is still super tiny imo. I would put a warning or recommendation to have these for more intermediate+ hobbyists.

 

But if those 'ant farm ants' started coming with queens......

 

It could make the hobby sky rocket like it did when Uncle Milton Farms were first introduced

[MegaMyrmex]

I saw the deregulations and it seems that a wide variety of cockroaches were also removed. Also, are you sure that the reproductives were also deregulated, not only the workers? You needed a permit to even transport pogonomyrmex occidentalis workers, and Uncle Milton had one for every shipment they sent out. If you head over to arachnoboards there's a bit more insight to this. 

[TennesseeAnts]

Gynes were also deregulated.

[MegaMyrmex]

Gynes were also deregulated.

I don't mean to sound rude or mean but where did you hear that? Do you have any documents or contact with the USDA saying so? I just really want to make sure because I really want to get my hands on these guys but don't want to break any laws.

[OhNoNotAgain]

The link from tarheels is this at USDA.gov. You can search on "ant" and it'll be partway down.

https://www.aphis.us...plant-pest-list

Edited by OhNoNotAgain, August 19 2019 - 6:59 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Gynes were also deregulated.

I don't mean to sound rude or mean but where did you hear that? Do you have any documents or contact with the USDA saying so? I just really want to make sure because I really want to get my hands on these guys but don't want to break any laws.

They would specify what caste was deregulated. Like the termites that were deregulated. It says "workers caste" for them.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I wonder if Trachymyrmex septentrionalis will be deregulated anytime soon. It's a widespread fungus grower that doesn't kill plants, so I can see it being useful in labs.

Edited by Antennal_Scrobe, August 20 2019 - 3:45 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Start a petition!

[TennesseeAnts]

Cyphomyrmex could also be exempted. Someone start a petition please.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I'm surprised they started with this species and not Lasius neoniger. 

[TennesseeAnts]

Lasius neoniger is already everywhere lol. I'm actually glad they chose Pogonomyrmex occidentalis.

[TennesseeAnts]

I also want Pogonomyrmex californicus and rugosus added.

[Kaelwizard]

I also want Pogonomyrmex californicus and rugosus added.

Rugosus is my absolute fave Pogonomyrmex!

[AntLad]

Ideally the prices will lower over time for Pogonomyrmex occidentalis as I am sure there will be competition. 

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Pheidole bicarinata  and P. pilifera would be perfect for this. They're only absent from a handful of states. Basically, that means that anywhere they aren't is free from them because they can't live there, not because they can't get there.

Edited by Antennal_Scrobe, August 31 2019 - 3:39 PM.