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US vs. EU (and UK)

Started By futurebird , Sep 1 2021 7:51 AM

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5 replies to this topic

Poll: US vs. EU (and UK) (18 member(s) have cast votes)

Which region has "better" native ants for keeping and collecting?

  1. US (17 votes [94.44%])

    Percentage of vote: 94.44%

  2. Europe (0 votes [0.00%])

    Percentage of vote: 0.00%

  3. It's a Tie (1 votes [5.56%])

    Percentage of vote: 5.56%

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#1 Offline futurebird - Posted September 1 2021 - 7:51 AM

futurebird

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This is mostly a silly poll just for fun. But, I'm posting it because I've encountered keepers in both areas who complain that the other region has "better" local ants. I also think that because we have so many restrictions in the US (which I've been critical of, and will keep being critical of) in the US ant keepers have dug deeper into local species. 

 

For example there is a growing community of keepers of NA native leafcutters ... would that have happened if we could import the larger, more flashy SA species? I bet there are some hidden gems in Europe. 

 

Comparing the US a country to Europe is a bit lopsided, but I'm thinking of this in terms of comparing two similar temperate regions.

 

I have "ant envy" for South Africa and Madagascar, and several parts of Asia... not leaving y'all out because I think these two are the best. Just to make that clear. 

 

 


Starting this July I'm posting videos of my ants every week on youTube.

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If that sounds like your kind of thing... follow me >here<. 

#2 Offline BADANT - Posted September 1 2021 - 9:38 AM

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I’m a bit envious of those same areas, and I’m also envious of Australia. But what makes it worse is that I have family that has moved there, including an ex-wife that is a biology professor (no interest in ants other than to assign homework on them). I’ve thought about finding like minded hobbyists that I could hunt with while over there and just not bring any ants back, but that just doesn’t seem like it would scratch the itch. I’m pretty sure that would make it worse, but I think I’ll give that a try on my next trip to Colorado. Besides, CO has very little that CA doesn’t


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#3 Offline Manitobant - Posted September 1 2021 - 10:44 AM

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The US is better in terms of native ants, but Europe definitely has the edge in the amount of cool species you can legally keep, as all exotics, including US natives, are legal there.
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My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#4 Offline ANTdrew - Posted September 1 2021 - 11:06 AM

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I like my local ants over any others, no contest.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#5 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted September 1 2021 - 12:44 PM

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Overall the US is probably better, though I am envious of Lasius niger since it seems to do a lot better in captivity than L. neoniger.

Edited by Kaelwizard, September 1 2021 - 12:44 PM.

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#6 Offline 11.11.00 - Posted September 2 2021 - 8:46 AM

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US in terms of natives, but europe can keep anything. 

That being said, there are some areas which europe does beat out us for such as lasius (fuli, neglectus) 


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