3 replies to this topic

[antmaniac]

From my memory, I have seen a documentary about wood ants use tree resin for fungus prevention. So I went out to collect some and put them in the outworld. Has any one also tried or got experience on these?

[Mercutia]

I know Crystals had put pine (or was it spruce?) needles in the outworld for decoration and documented that the ants (I think it was Formica) would drag them back to the nest. We speculated that it might be for such reasons though I think she tried with other species that ignored it.

[Crystals]

Yes, I added spruce needles for decoration.  Any Formica colony over 10 workers drug them either inside the nest or to the entrance.  Formica ulkei drug them all in the nest, made them into "matresses" and piled all the brood on them.  Most Formica in my location use spruce needles, twigs, etc. to build up a large mound to catch the sun's heat.

 

Most other species completely ignored them, or moved them to the garbage pile.

[antmaniac]

Thanks for the feedbacks. I guess it depends on the species. Although it doesnt hurt to leave some in the outworld if they help with anti fungus.