11 replies to this topic

[ctantkeeper]

so, recently I successfully managed to get a Lasius umbratus queen to adopt 6-7 Lasius neoniger workers (host). I am now planning to do the same with another queen but with a larger number of host workers. I currently have both colonies and was wondering if anyone on this forum has any experience with Lasius umbratus colonies / Lasius social parasites. I am also thinking of gather Lasius claviger queens, but I do not know how they will react to a standard diet as opposed to their livestock. if you guys have any advice / tips and tricks, please put them in the comments 

[ctantkeeper]

questions about raising Lasius umbratus

1) what do they require for their diet

2) how much humidity

3) do they prefer heating

4) do colonies require host brood or just workers (I am using the hibernation method used by Ants Canada) 

[dermy]

1-They like dead insects, mealworms, crickets etc. They also require sweet foods for the workers, Honey water or whatever.

2- I'm not too sure

3- I've watched a colony of someone else's go from being active to somewhat inactive when they had a heat mat, they didn't like the extra heat.

4- As long as the queen lays eggs and gets her worker force going they will never need anymore hosts ever again, i know someone who has a colony that is over 5 yrs old now and is doing good.

[dermy]

Here is his colony [as well as his Lasius niger colony]

[AntsAreUs]

I currently own Lasius claviger and have tried umbratus and they seem fine eating normal food I give other ants.

[ctantkeeper]

thanks guys for all the help. I just introduced my new queen to the host workers (20-25) and they did not respond well the first time, which led me to use tweezers to pry off workers that had attached themselves to the queen. although dazed, she seemed to be fine afterwards, so I placed her in again in the test tube with her host workers only to find that another worker had begun to bite at her ankles. she seems to be winning the battle against the worker. I am a little worried for her

the first transfer was a complete success. I used 6-7 workers and it required two tries.

[ctantkeeper]

update, the transfer for the second queen failed miserably. the queen was unscaved though, so I will try with a smaller sample of host workers tomorrow. btw after the queen was removed from the test tube, the workers proceeded to attack eachover!!! why is this? do Lasius umbratus have a dufours gland?

[Nexus]

(I am using the hibernation method used by Ants Canada) 

which is ?

[ctantkeeper]

oh I am sorry, here is the title of the video (can't add a link): Phase 1: Successful - Introducing Parasite Queen (Lasius claviger) to Host Workers (Lasius neoniger)

[ctantkeeper]

update: the transfer with queen 2 was a complete success!!!!

[cpman]

That's good to hear! You should start a journal for them when you get some eggs.

[ctantkeeper]

i will consider it, but I am not sure if these guys will make it, lasius brood is hard to find