17 replies to this topic

[RushmoreAnts]

This is the beginning of a series of genus based 'Cultures', where we take the time to discuss anything relating to the genus Formica! Feel free to chat about Polyergus as well, as they're closely related.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Guess FormiCulture's already taken lol? You could do NAculture (since they're only found in North America), but besides that, what's the average egg to worker time for them? 

[RushmoreAnts]

Guess FormiCulture's already taken lol? You could do NAculture (since they're only found in North America), but besides that, what's the average egg to worker time for them? 

Yes, it was. I also thought a little variety with names would be nice. To your question, when heated, it only takes 3-4 weeks, which I love, but they can get overly stressed (which I don't so love). When not heated, I would guestimate about 4-6 weeks, roughly.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Ok, my room is high seventies to mid eighties, is that good for them (I know it's wonderful for my Camponotus at least)?

[RushmoreAnts]

Yes, that should be perfect. Are you planning on keeping them this season?

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

My queen that I thought was Camponotus looks to be Subsericea soooo... 

[TheMicroPlanet]

Does Formica require similar maintenance as Camponotus?

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I just need to know when I can check on her without scaring the eggs out of her lol

[Nare]

You could do NAculture (since they're only found in North America)

Formica are also found all across Europe and northern Asia.

[Nare]

Does Formica require similar maintenance as Camponotus?

 

Formica do better with some sort of substrate in their nest - I've found that mine produce naked pupae in just a normal test tube setup, which isn't ideal, as as far as I know, naked pupae are more susceptible to disease and mold. If you're keeping any sort of thatching Formica, heat might be a good idea, as one of the main purposes of their thatched nests in the wild is to sustain higher temperatures. I'm not sure if Formica can or should be kept in environments as dry as Camponotus. Of course, any good nest will provide a humidity gradient and allow the ants to choose where to nest, so that shouldn't really be a problem in captivity.

[NickAnter]

Guess FormiCulture's already taken lol? You could do NAculture (since they're only found in North America), but besides that, what's the average egg to worker time for them?

Excuse me? They are found all over Europe and Asia. They just are not very prevalent in the Southern Hemisphere.

[Ants_Dakota]

I just need to know when I can check on her without scaring the eggs out of her lol

[Ants_Dakota]

 

Does Formica require similar maintenance as Camponotus?

 

Formica do better with some sort of substrate in their nest - I've found that mine produce naked pupae in just a normal test tube setup, which isn't ideal, as as far as I know, naked pupae are more susceptible to disease and mold. If you're keeping any sort of thatching Formica, heat might be a good idea, as one of the main purposes of their thatched nests in the wild is to sustain higher temperatures. I'm not sure if Formica can or should be kept in environments as dry as Camponotus. Of course, any good nest will provide a humidity gradient and allow the ants to choose where to nest, so that shouldn't really be a problem in captivity.

 

I have kept(and am still keeping ) formica in a test tube right now. I had 7 pupa, and 4 of them were uncovered and three of them were covered. Why is this?

[Nare]

 

 

Does Formica require similar maintenance as Camponotus?

 

Formica do better with some sort of substrate in their nest - I've found that mine produce naked pupae in just a normal test tube setup, which isn't ideal, as as far as I know, naked pupae are more susceptible to disease and mold. If you're keeping any sort of thatching Formica, heat might be a good idea, as one of the main purposes of their thatched nests in the wild is to sustain higher temperatures. I'm not sure if Formica can or should be kept in environments as dry as Camponotus. Of course, any good nest will provide a humidity gradient and allow the ants to choose where to nest, so that shouldn't really be a problem in captivity.

 

I have kept(and am still keeping ) formica in a test tube right now. I had 7 pupa, and 4 of them were uncovered and three of them were covered. Why is this?

 

From what I've heard, Formica larvae need bits of substrate or other particulate to start spinning their cocoons. Pieces of trash or bits of pulled cotton can serve this function in a test tube, but there likely isn't enough for all the brood to spin cocoons. So some can spin cocoons, and others can't manage to.

[Temperateants]

I learned the hard way that Formica actually require quite a bit of moisture.

They're ths size of Camponotous, but they grow almost 2 times as fast, so they require A LOT of protein. Sometimes, larvae will cannibalize tropic eggs, and even smaller larvae.

[TennesseeAnts]

I learned the hard way that Formica actually require quite a bit of moisture.
They're ths size of Camponotous, but they grow almost 2 times as fast, so they require A LOT of protein. Sometimes, larvae will cannibalize tropic eggs, and even smaller larvae.

This is true, in most aspects. Formica pacifica don't require much moisture at all, and can do great in a nest with over 30% humidity.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

 

You could do NAculture (since they're only found in North America)

Formica are also found all across Europe and northern Asia.

 

 

 

Guess FormiCulture's already taken lol? You could do NAculture (since they're only found in North America), but besides that, what's the average egg to worker time for them?

Excuse me? They are found all over Europe and Asia. They just are not very prevalent in the Southern Hemisphere.

 

oh yeah, forgot about formica fusca, my bad 

[RushmoreAnts]

There are many species of Formica in Europe and Asia besides fusca. F. Rufa is just one of the social parasites.