Next breed recommendations

#1 Offline AlexA1591 - Posted August 25 2019 - 11:24 AM

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Hi guys, my first post glad to be apart of the community. I’ve been keeping two colonies of Lasius Niger for almost a year now. Varying success, one colony has done well the other unfortunately died.

I’m very tempted to branch out into another species and maybe move up to the second difficulty level. However, after loads of reading online I’m not sure which one (or two) to go for. I’ve been tempted by myrmica rubra. I’ve also been tempted by Camponotus (although I’m not sure if the patience level would be suitable for me at this stage). Also had an opportunity to get Odontoponera Transversa. Also tempted by Formica or TEMNOTHORAX NYLANDERI (apologies for caps had to copy and paste). As you can see I’m in about five different mins.

I guess I want a species more active than Lasius Niger, without the stress of messing about with humidity. The prospect of different castes sounds great although Camponotus I feel is the species I want once I have at least one established colony of another type. Temperatures not a problem as my ant room can be adjusted from 20-28 degrees centigrade, same with hibernation.

Any and all recommendations for a novice ant keeper would be most appreciated

#2 Offline Oddyseous - Posted August 25 2019 - 11:40 AM

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LocationMissouri

I'm really enjoying Crematogaster cerasi as my first colony. I imagine any Crematogaster (acrobat ant) would be similarly enjoyable if you have them in your area.

#3 Offline DDD101DDD - Posted August 25 2019 - 12:18 PM

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LocationNew York

I have heard that tetramorium immigrans is another great beginner species, has a very fast founding stage, is explosive, and is really aggressive.

He travels, he seeks the p a r m e s a n.

#4 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 25 2019 - 12:57 PM

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LocationOrange County, California

I would recomend Solenopsis fugax. Very active and fast growing.

Edited by NickAnter, August 26 2019 - 5:17 AM.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies.

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant).

#5 Offline PacificNorthWestern - Posted August 25 2019 - 1:06 PM

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LocationVancouver, Washington

depending on where you live it sounds like messor is a good beginning species.

#6 Offline Manitobant - Posted August 25 2019 - 6:58 PM

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LocationWinnipeg, Canada

If you want a fast growing and interesting species try pheidole pallidula, assuming you're in Europe. They are unique as they have many different sizes of workers from tiny minors to massive supermajors with huge heads.

Edited by Manitobant, August 25 2019 - 6:59 PM.