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Best formicarium for fire ants?

Started By Manitobant , Feb 10 2020 2:29 PM

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26 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Manitobant - Posted February 10 2020 - 2:29 PM

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I'm getting a solenopsis xyloni colony from a friend and I'm wondering what kind of formicarium to put them in. I'm thinking a tar heel ants formicarium though I'm worried they'll have a die off or chew through it? Are solenopsis picky about their formicarium? It's my favorite species and I really don't wanna hurt them in any way.
My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#2 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted February 10 2020 - 3:54 PM

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Anything that is dark, warm and they have access to water is good for Solenopsis. If you go with THA, I would highly recommend using a Type III nest.
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#3 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted February 10 2020 - 4:23 PM

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This species is probably hardier in dry conditions due to its desert habitat. But they'd probably still appreciate some moisture. 


"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

 

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis

#4 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted February 10 2020 - 4:24 PM

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A type III nest from Tarheel ants is recommended. Since they aren't small enough to fit through the glass, it should work well


There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#5 Offline NickAnter - Posted February 10 2020 - 5:02 PM

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I think in the beginning a THA type three would be good, but in the long term, a large vivarium might be best.  They get massive colonies.  I have seen some with nests with over 3 foot long mounds.


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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). 

#6 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted February 10 2020 - 5:18 PM

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I concur, their explosive growth makes housing them in THA formicaria incredibly challenging...


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There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#7 Offline NickAnter - Posted February 10 2020 - 5:51 PM

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Not to mention expensive.


  • Da_NewAntOnTheBlock likes this

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). 

#8 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted February 10 2020 - 5:53 PM

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Incredibly expensive. Someone should set up like a THA black market where they make their own versions of the THA formicaria for cheap lol


There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#9 Offline NickAnter - Posted February 10 2020 - 5:55 PM

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No.  Just no. :ugone2far:


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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). 

#10 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted February 10 2020 - 5:57 PM

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lol. Would be a good alternitive tho. But I do see many moral and business errors there. Mainly intellectual property and copyright claims


There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#11 Offline CheetoLord02 - Posted February 11 2020 - 7:29 AM

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I have my xyloni in a mini hearth and they seem to be big fans of it. I'm probably gonna end up attaching more mini hearths when they need it, and eventually bigger and better THA nests. I'm especially partial to the THA tho because I like how the white inside looks against my black variant xyloni
arthropodantics.com

#12 Offline Manitobant - Posted February 11 2020 - 10:37 AM

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ok guys new development: it turns out my friend misidentified them and they're actually solenopsis invicta. Does that change anything?
My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#13 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted February 11 2020 - 11:15 AM

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How did you get invicta in Canada? No, it means they will do better....
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#14 Offline Martialis - Posted February 11 2020 - 11:19 AM

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Why are you importing S. invicta?!  

 

That ain't just a stupid idea. It's very illegal. Assuming you don't have the very difficult to obtain permits. (For a hobbyist, anyways.)


Edited by Martialis, February 11 2020 - 11:20 AM.

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#15 Offline ForestDragon - Posted February 11 2020 - 12:48 PM

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i don't think its invicta, if your friend says they are invicta and you are in canada you need to look at them closely, to ID, importing invicta is EXTREMELY ILLEGAL, 


#16 Offline Manitobant - Posted February 11 2020 - 1:36 PM

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i don't think its invicta, if your friend says they are invicta and you are in canada you need to look at them closely, to ID, importing invicta is EXTREMELY ILLEGAL,

may just be dark xyloni and I'm overreacting. Not sure tho, and no fire ant can survive our winters since they're very cold sensitive.


Anyways, let's not turn this thread into another sh*tstorm on the ethics of exotic keeping.

Edited by Manitobant, February 11 2020 - 1:38 PM.

My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#17 Offline NickAnter - Posted February 11 2020 - 3:02 PM

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Have them properly ID.  If they are invicta, and you are caught, you will be in serious trouble with the US and Canadian governments. Just don't break the law.


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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). 

#18 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted February 11 2020 - 3:48 PM

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i don't think its invicta, if your friend says they are invicta and you are in canada you need to look at them closely, to ID, importing invicta is EXTREMELY ILLEGAL, 

I thought it was just straight up illegal. Are there like different varieties of illegal like different varieties of hot sauce? I agree with the statement itself, I doubt it's invicta so much, if it is, I don't know what I'm going to do with myself


There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#19 Offline NickAnter - Posted February 11 2020 - 4:34 PM

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Well, illegal is illegal.  However, there are different classifications of crimes, such as misdemeanors, felonies, and so forth.  For example, if you are a felon, it is therefore illegal for you to possess or purchase a firearm. Anyway, I doubt that this would classify as a felony, simply a misdemeanor. If it was a felony to do so, it would be more widely known.


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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). 

#20 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted February 11 2020 - 4:40 PM

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yeah, but it is getting a tad exaggerated don't you think? 

 

Why are you importing S. invicta?!  

 

That ain't just a stupid idea. It's very illegal. Assuming you don't have the very difficult to obtain permits. (For a hobbyist, anyways.)

 

i don't think its invicta, if your friend says they are invicta and you are in canada you need to look at them closely, to ID, importing invicta is EXTREMELY ILLEGAL, 

Case and point


There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

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