7 replies to this topic

[MinigunL5]

These ants were ID -ed as Lasius Umbratus. Unfortunately, I am a beginner ant keeper and I am not prepared to handle such ants. But I will still do my best. I will first need host workers. Does anyone know good host species for Lasius Umbratus? In the meantime, I was wondering if I need to feed it while I am looking for a host colony? I currently have it in a normal test tube set up with water. Any other tips would be appreciated.

Here are some pictures of the queen: https://imgur.com/gallery/LDLJ2uy

[CheetoLord02]

Given your location, your queen is almost certainly Lasius aphidicola. Lasius neoniger or americanus would make perfect hosts. you want at least 20, but get more than that because some are almost guaranteed to get killed in introduction, and the more the better.

Introduction is the hardest part, but you can see my journal for how I did it (https://www.formicul...entris-journal/) or FC user AnthonyP163's journal in which he has gotten his queen to get her own workers (https://www.formicul...lasius-journal/)

[MinigunL5]

Given your location, your queen is almost certainly Lasius aphidicola. Lasius neoniger or americanus would make perfect hosts. you want at least 20, but get more than that because some are almost guaranteed to get killed in introduction, and the more the better.

Introduction is the hardest part, but you can see my journal for how I did it (https://www.formicul...entris-journal/) or FC user AnthonyP163's journal in which he has gotten his queen to get her own workers (https://www.formicul...lasius-journal/)

Thank you for the help! 

[MinigunL5]

Given your location, your queen is almost certainly Lasius aphidicola. Lasius neoniger or americanus would make perfect hosts. you want at least 20, but get more than that because some are almost guaranteed to get killed in introduction, and the more the better.

Introduction is the hardest part, but you can see my journal for how I did it (https://www.formicul...entris-journal/) or FC user AnthonyP163's journal in which he has gotten his queen to get her own workers (https://www.formicul...lasius-journal/)

What should I do with it until I get the proper host ants and pupae? Feed it?

Edited by MinigunL5, May 6 2020 - 6:45 AM.

[ANTdrew]

You could give her a tiny drop of nectar. Soak it in a bit of cotton or paper towel. I do this for all my queens when first setting them up.

[MinigunL5]

You could give her a tiny drop of nectar. Soak it in a bit of cotton or paper towel. I do this for all my queens when first setting them up.

Thx for the info. Could I use sugar water? And if so, what are the right proportions to make it?

[ANTdrew]

Sugar water is good. 1:1 ratio would be fine. You only need the tiniest drop.

[MinigunL5]

Sugar water is good. 1:1 ratio would be fine. You only need the tiniest drop.

I just but some honey in water and mixed it. I then gave a small bit to her on a foil plate.