21 replies to this topic

[UtahAnts]

This colony has followed a similarly steady growth pattern to my absqualator, doubtless due more to my low feeding than the tendencies of the species. I want to clarify that growth is not a major aim of mine. I want to have colonies to look at and care for, but as long as the queen is healthy and workers aren't dying I'm fine with them growing slowly or staying at the same size. In my opinion, really large colonies are more trouble than I want and my Veromessor pergandei filling up their Nucleus has only confirmed my preference.

 

I agree completely, my favorite stage of a colony's development is often when they have around 20 workers. Fewer escapes, less feeding, more appreciation for each new worker. In my opinion bigger doesn't always mean better when it comes to ants.

[NicholasP]

 

This colony has followed a similarly steady growth pattern to my absqualator, doubtless due more to my low feeding than the tendencies of the species. I want to clarify that growth is not a major aim of mine. I want to have colonies to look at and care for, but as long as the queen is healthy and workers aren't dying I'm fine with them growing slowly or staying at the same size. In my opinion, really large colonies are more trouble than I want and my Veromessor pergandei filling up their Nucleus has only confirmed my preference.

 

I agree completely, my favorite stage of a colony's development is often when they have around 20 workers. Fewer escapes, less feeding, more appreciation for each new worker. In my opinion bigger doesn't always mean better when it comes to ants.

 

I agree too. But for me I try to raise some colony's to sizes to produce alates since it's my dream to hook up a setup that leads outside where only the alates get in there and they can have their nuptial flight and I'm contributing to not only for myself by being able to catch mated queens afterwards but be able to help the ecosystem by replenishing more than I take.

Edited by NicholasP, April 30 2022 - 4:58 PM.