3 replies to this topic

[FelixTheAnter]

Hi all! New member here I recently overturned a flower pot to find a small colony of Lasius Niger. I collected the queen, brood, and as many workers as possible. Did some research, built them a DIY plaster formicarium, and they now seem to be well settled in and doing very well! I believe I have approximately 100 workers.

I'm an obsessive researcher, but one thing I haven't been able to find is - how do I know when they've had enough protein? I also have a small colony of Camponotus Ligniperda that I just got from someone (1q 6w) and I noticed that they don't go after every single piece of protein like the Lasius do.

The Lasius so far will swarm and drag down into the nest every single insect that I give them. (I have some isopods in the freezer and thaw them before giving to the ants)...the Camponotus seem to be largely ignoring the isopods, but they also only have 2 eggs right now & no larvae.

Should I be making sure they have protein available at all times (like, leaving that isopod in with the Camponotus and replacing every few days)? Is the fact that the Lasius are swarming and dragging into the nest every insect I put in a sign that they need more?

I of course make sure they have a constant supply of fresh water and honeywater in cotton balls.

Thanks everyone!

[Chickalo]

Generally, it's quite the opposite.  They will let you know when they are hungry enough to eat when they begin sending workers up to forage.  Don't feed them and if you continue to see workers, put in food until only one to two workers remain, then they've had their fair share.

[FelixTheAnter]

Thanks for the quick response! They do seem to almost always have at least a couple workers up in the outworld. Should I drop in a couple more isopods and leave them until they stop showing as much interest in them?
Total newbie to ants here, but want to make sure I do right by them!

[ANTdrew]

For a colony that size, I would feed one chopped mealworm or one cricket every day. Fat ants are happy ants.