31 replies to this topic

[RushmoreAnts]

Well, now that I think about it, anything with Solenopsis molesta would work. The molesta can stay hidden, and they won't kill the other colony because they want to snack on their brood.   However, if two colonies were to be raised together, I think they ideal choice for the other colony would be Tetramorium, as they'd be able to keep up with the molesta's growth, and won't suffer terribly if some of their brood goes missing........

Edited by AntsDakota, July 6 2020 - 4:16 PM.

[AntaholicAnonymous]

I have a very large terrarium and I had those acorn ants in there along with manica rubida.

They were very timid and hid from the large red ants and occupied a small space in a cave on the other side of the tank along with the isopods and other things.

A small species with low numbers occupying a different part of a large setup works out well from what I've seen but the nests were almost 1,5 meters apart and they foraged at different times of the day too.
Generally I'd say it's a bad idea

[TennesseeAnts]

I've done this with small, cryptic ants (namely Strumigenys, Hypoponera, Proceratium, and some smaller Temnothorax and Aphaenogaster rudis with varying success. I've had some success with the aforementioned species along side Camponotus spp.

[ponerinecat]

Many ants will prefer to ignore each other. I've had founding formica, pheidole, monomorium, and hypoponera all in the same 10 gal tank. Really any ant will work if paired with the right species combo.

[LIFEsize]

I've heard that thief ants mask themselves in the scent of other ant colonies so they can live amongst them in order to steal brood. Not sure which species it works with.

Edited by LIFEsize, July 13 2020 - 7:28 AM.

[LIFEsize]

I think they ideal choice for the other colony would be Tetramorium, as they'd be able to keep up with the molesta's growth, and won't suffer terribly if some of their brood goes missing........

Seen this in nature. Live where tetramorium and molesta colonies are abundant and I have yet to see an ant war.

[NickAnter]

Solenopsis molesta are by no means passive. When they are about to have a nuptial flight, and if only one worker walks over the nest, it leads to a massive ant war, in which the S molesta destroy everything, by swarming the legs of the victims. So, maybe for two years it would work, but once they get alates, they would start to inevitably destroy other colonies.

[ponerinecat]

One of the keys to ant cohabitation is to choose contrasting lifestyles. For example, a large, diurnal ant would go well with a small, subterranean ant. Or a diurnal species paired with a nocturnal species, arboreal with terrestrial, predator and scavenger, timid with aggressive.

[RushmoreAnts]

One of the keys to ant cohabitation is to choose contrasting lifestyles. For example, a large, diurnal ant would go well with a small, subterranean ant. Or a diurnal species paired with a nocturnal species, arboreal with terrestrial, predator and scavenger, timid with aggressive.

Perhaps Formica and Camponotus? One is diurnal, and the other is nocturnal. 

[NickAnter]

I really think that Hypoponer/Ponera and Temnothorax/Colobopsis would be the best combination(s).

[ponerinecat]

I really think that Hypoponer/Ponera and Temnothorax/Colobopsis would be the best combination(s).

yeah those work well, but Temnothorax and the ponerini may have a bit of conflict, ponerini are aggressive to things even larger than themselves, more so to same sized or smaller things, but Temnothorax are naturally docile.

[NickAnter]

Interesting. I've always seen Hypoponera as extremely passive, at least to ants.