3 replies to this topic

[PurdueEntomology]

I have recently come into acquisition of a species which is principally a nectarivore.  I would like sound advice on sugar-based diets you have used to successfully maintained a species that is a nectarivore.  These could be commercially available diets or ones that are 'home made' but NOT simply a sugar:water based mixture.  For example have you found mixing specific fruit juices with water etc to be successful substitutes for actual nectar?  Or have you ordered a pre-mix that has proven successful?  

 

Thanks in advance for any and all constructive guidance!

 

[antsandmore]

I have recently come into acquisition of a species which is principally a nectarivore.  I would like sound advice on sugar-based diets you have used to successfully maintained a species that is a nectarivore.  These could be commercially available diets or ones that are 'home made' but NOT simply a sugar:water based mixture.  For example have you found mixing specific fruit juices with water etc to be successful substitutes for actual nectar?  Or have you ordered a pre-mix that has proven successful?  

 

Thanks in advance for any and all constructive guidance!

I'm not exactly sure what kind of fruit it was, but there was this korean tea mixing thing that you added with water that included a type of citrus fruit and honey. I decided to try to feed that to my ants, and gave them a small part, and it was actually successful and I think they liked it. Also, can you explain what a nectarivore is? thank you!

[NickAnter]

A nectarivore is something that exists off of nectar, mostly those produced by Hemipterans.

 

If I had a nectarivorous species, I would give them a plant with aphids on it. Once I finish up some drawings, I can post them on here for designs of how to farm aphids in a captive setting, either root, or above ground aphids. If one does not want to actually put aphids in the setup, possibly a larger scale recreation of the processes of the aphid that converts plant sap into a sugary liquid.

Edited by NickAnter, February 13 2021 - 3:57 PM.

[FSTP]

I've given my ants Kerns fruit nectar drinks diluted down before. I can't say if its a suitable long term food for ants that feed primarily on nectars but my ants seemed to enjoy it. Perhaps its something you can experiment with. Really though now I almost exclusively feed byFormica Sunburst Ant Nectar. I don't see how you could go wrong feeding Sunburst. 

Edited by FSTP, February 13 2021 - 3:26 PM.