2 replies to this topic

[SuperFrank]

I have read that Aphaenogaster ashmeadi often collect mushrooms from the genus Russula. I wanted to observe this behavior and collected an inedible (to humans) variety growing in my yard, I offered to the ashmeadi, and a Camponotus colony, both immediately began cutting up and collecting the mushroom but the ashmeadi were definitely more enthusiastic m deploying roughly the same amount of workers to collect the food as the Camponotus colony Wich was several times larger in size than the ashmeadi colony. Some Russula mushrooms are edible but the related genus Lactarius has many delicious and sought-after varieties. I have yet to offer them any Lactarius mushrooms but they grow wild in my area and I collect them to eat (one of the only kinds I enjoy) I have offered them chanterelles (another delicious variety that grows wild in my area) but they were not accepted by the ashmeadi.

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[Lamarr]

This is interesting! Do you know if other Aphaenogaster species also share similar behavior as well?

[OiledOlives]

I wouldn't be surprised if some populations of the closely related A. treatae did this as well. 

Just looked on AntWiki. " Foraging is on the surface of the ground, always in open to partially shaded areas. Workers commonly collect arthropods, occasionally collect seeds and bits of Russula mushrooms" (Deyrup 2016).