11 replies to this topic

[Rozema]

So, for fun I bought a flat sand nest (T Farm) for a couple of euro’s

What would be a good and fun species to keep in there for the time being?

Preferably a species that thrives in dry nests and is not too stressed out in light.

Thanks for the help
I will add an extra outworld for the feeding btw

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[ponerinecat]

Any desert or coastal species.

Pogonomyrmex, certain tetramorium and messor, etc

It would help to know where you are

[Rozema]

Netherlands. So importing won’t be a problem.
Don’t know if I can get Pogonomyrmex though. Would live to have them.

[Martialis]

Is it just sand? Not much would want to live in there. But if it's a sort of silty mixture, I'd think quite a large portion of species would live in that.

[Rozema]

Yes sorry. You can fill it with anything you like.
I used sand nest for the type of nest.
But I know some species thrive better in ytong of gypsum. Indeed a species that love to dig.

[Broncos]

Yea, probably pogonomyrmex, messor, or other harvester ants.

[Ants_Dakota]

Aren't Pogonomyrmex and harvester ants the same thing?

That is also a cool looking formicarium.

[RushmoreAnts]

Pogonomyrmex is only one of the genera know as a ‘Harvester Ant’. Others include Messor, Veromessor, and Novomessor.

Edited by AntsDakota, March 27 2020 - 8:20 AM.

[ponerinecat]

Pogonomyrmex is only one of the genera know as a ‘Harvester Ant’. Others include Messor, Veromessor, and Novomessor.

Certain species of Pheidole and Tetramorium also classify, as well as some Aphaenogaster and other assorted species.

[Barristan]

Species that build their nests in soil all need more ore less moist substrate. As already noted sand is quite unstable if it dries out too much. Adding loam will help making the substrate more stable.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

yeah, such as Aphenogaster Fulva...

[CheetoLord02]

not gonna quote everybody but species that collect seeds don't automatically classify as harvester ants. if that was true, the entire myrmicinae subfamily would be harvester ants, as all myrmicinae genera may collect seeds. not sure if it's "scientifically" accurate, but i believe "harvester ants" are those that require seeds in their diet to survive (genera like messor, veromessor, and pogonomyrmex) while other genera (novomessor, pheidole, aphaenogaster, etc.) may collect seeds as a dietary supplement, but do not require seeds in their diet to survive, and thus aren't true harvester ants.