Jump to content

  • Gallery
  • Members
  • Member Map
  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

US vs. EU (and UK)

Started By futurebird , Sep 1 2021 7:51 AM

  • Please log in to reply
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%

Vote Guests cannot vote

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

futurebird

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 836 posts
  • LocationNew York City, NY

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.

I like to make relaxing videos that capture the joy of watching ants.

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

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

BADANT

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 169 posts
  • LocationBurleson, TX
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


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
  • futurebird likes this

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

Manitobant

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,912 posts
  • LocationWinnipeg, Canada
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.
  • Antkeeper01 and futurebird like this
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

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,955 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
I like my local ants over any others, no contest.
  • BADANT and UtahAnts like this
"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

Kaelwizard

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,852 posts
  • LocationPoway, California
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.

  • ANTdrew and Antkeeper01 like this

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

11.11.00

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 47 posts

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) 


Back to General · Next Unread Topic →


1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users