Jump to content

  • Gallery
  • Members
  • Member Map
  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Adding springtails to THA Formicariums

Started By ANTdrew , Apr 7 2020 5:23 PM

  • Please log in to reply
13 replies to this topic

#1 Online ANTdrew - Posted April 7 2020 - 5:23 PM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,947 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
I’m curious if anyone out there has done this? I’ve had success adding them to my terrariums, and I’d like to get a clean up crew in my Crematogasters’ Nucleus.
  • Whitelotus likes this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#2 Offline justanotheramy - Posted April 7 2020 - 8:31 PM

justanotheramy

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 173 posts
  • LocationSouth Australia

Is it ever bad to add springtails?


  • ANTdrew likes this

#3 Online ANTdrew - Posted April 8 2020 - 2:37 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,947 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA

Is it ever bad to add springtails?

Never! My worry is that the conditions might not suit the springtails without natural substrate.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#4 Offline Superant33 - Posted April 8 2020 - 3:54 AM

Superant33

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 184 posts
I added coconut fiber and spring tails. Works great.

#5 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted April 8 2020 - 4:05 AM

Da_NewAntOnTheBlock

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,540 posts
  • LocationIllinois

I added coconut fiber and spring tails. Works great.

yeah, add some natural substrate and spring tails and it'll be all good


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

#6 Online ANTdrew - Posted April 8 2020 - 4:37 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,947 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
Sounds good. But I’m dealing with a 1200-1500 Crematogaster colony. There’s no easy way for me to add substrate without all holy mother of heck breaking loose.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#7 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted April 8 2020 - 4:39 AM

Da_NewAntOnTheBlock

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,540 posts
  • LocationIllinois

Add it to the outworld. If they want it, they can get it, if they don't then you can kick it up a notch


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

#8 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted April 8 2020 - 4:40 AM

Da_NewAntOnTheBlock

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,540 posts
  • LocationIllinois

They'll probably want it tho so they could ventilate their nest and hide the queen possibly...  


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 Online ANTdrew - Posted April 9 2020 - 11:59 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,947 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
I just scooped up some soil with springtails in it from my culture and added it to the outworld of my Nucleus. We’ll see how this goes.
I will try to shove some springtail loaded soil in the hole for their nestmate the next time I refill it, as well.

Edited by ANTdrew, April 9 2020 - 12:00 PM.

  • Da_NewAntOnTheBlock likes this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#10 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted April 9 2020 - 12:11 PM

Da_NewAntOnTheBlock

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,540 posts
  • LocationIllinois

sounds like a plan!


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 Online ANTdrew - Posted April 9 2020 - 1:49 PM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,947 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
A dirt wad fell conveniently next their nest entrance tunnel, and the ants actually hauled it down to their lair.
  • RushmoreAnts and Da_NewAntOnTheBlock like this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#12 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted April 9 2020 - 2:10 PM

Da_NewAntOnTheBlock

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,540 posts
  • LocationIllinois

Then load 'em up with dirt and springtails then! Looks like the signs are there!


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

#13 Offline ponerinecat - Posted April 9 2020 - 7:07 PM

ponerinecat

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,650 posts
  • LocationCalifornia

springtails don't need substrate, just gonna get that out there. If your dealing with a entomobryomorpha species, they do fine in a bare nest. Poduromorpha will need some though, and just don't add globs.


#14 Online ANTdrew - Posted April 10 2020 - 2:32 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,947 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA

springtails don't need substrate, just gonna get that out there. If your dealing with a entomobryomorpha species, they do fine in a bare nest. Poduromorpha will need some though, and just don't add globs.

Thanks. How do I tell which ones don’t need substrate? There’s no way I’m filling up a $150 formicarium with dirt.

Edited by ANTdrew, April 10 2020 - 2:40 AM.

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.
Back to General Ant Keeping · Next Unread Topic →


1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users