11 replies to this topic

[antsandmore]

Yes, I've heard of beetle jelly, or maybe just regular jelly in a cup, and we've also seen Ants Canada and have seen him feed his ants with it. I remembered that bugs in cyber space sells beetle jelly, and was wondering if it would be able to be a good food for grown colonies. I am saying grown or mature colonies, not tiny sized ones, because the jelly is actually not a small size. Here's the link.: https://bugsincybers...jelly-6-packs/ 

to get ingredient information or how to make it, I would have to email the seller to ask him, and if he is generous enough, He may tell me how to make it. But for now, do the knowledgeable people of formiculture have anything to say about issues in the food? thanks!

[Zeiss]

Nothing wrong with beetle jellies.

[antsandmore]

Nothing wrong with beetle jellies.

Ok thank you!

[BADANT]

Better with creamy peanut butter, chunky tends to over power the jelly in your sandwich...enjoy


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[AleeGuy]

for the non-picky species(such as T. Immigrans) it would be okay as a "side dish", but totally not the main, it does not have enough carbs and aswell as protein.

[AleeGuy]

*double post, something was up with fc and was loading for around 3 minutes so I reloaded the page and then tried to post it again*

Edited by AleeGuy, February 12 2021 - 3:14 PM.

[antsandmore]

for the non-picky species(such as T. Immigrans) it would be okay as a "side dish", but totally not the main, it does not have enough carbs and aswell as protein.

ok thanks!

[BADANT]

On the serious side, after 24 to 48 hours max take it out. This is to try and avoid mold and fungus. If you have remainder, then you might want to give a little less next feeding and visa versa. Pretty much a general rule I believe


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[gs5248]

I would say it would be fine. But it is not a good "main food". You are better off sticking with insects for that role in your ants' diet.

Edited by gs5248, February 12 2021 - 7:03 PM.

[steelplant]

Just make sure your workers have access to a sugar source without protein in as well, as too much protein can harm the workers (though protein is of course necessary for queen and larvae). Or just use jelly with only protein in, no sugars.

 

https://royalsociety.../rspb.2012.0051  (Ant workers die young and colonies collapse when fed a high-protein diet)

[Zeiss]

Just make sure your workers have access to a sugar source without protein in as well, as too much protein can harm the workers (though protein is of course necessary for queen and larvae). Or just use jelly with only protein in, no sugars.

 

https://royalsociety.../rspb.2012.0051  (Ant workers die young and colonies collapse when fed a high-protein diet)

I would take this with a grain of salt.  That depends highly on the species of ant.  I can give examples of species that need little to no sugar to be successful and I know some species are are very dependent on sugars.

 

I have also never seen beetle jellies with proteins added to them, just pure sugary jelly.

[steelplant]

Gelatin itself (the jelly part) is high in protein. Agar (another way to make jelly) isn't, so if you want just sugary jelly you could make it with agar rather than gelatin.

 

Thanks Zeiss. I feed my ants bug jelly here and there but someone mentioned the potential risk on Reddit recently so I thought I'd pass it on. Glad to hear it's probably not so serious thanks.