2 replies to this topic

[Pat92]

Hi there i got the founding stage of a Myrmecocystus colony going well.

 

I had 2 nanitics and 3 cocoon plus tons of eggs and some larvae.

 

However today i wanted to add some food for my ants.

 

I usually fed them water some flies and some hummingbird nectar and it went well.

 

I decided to try some new things added some mandarin juice and in another feeder some hummingbird nectar with a tiny drop of blue food colorant.

 

So one of the two nanitics the one which used to go forage for food was found like being paralysed with little spams he then died.

 

I felt so guilty after this. I immediately removed the feeders and i think he didn't made tropholaxis with the queen and the other nanitic.

 

What's your guess about it ? the colorant or the mandarin juice ? Or could it be that the nanitic died of something else like old age ? (i had it for around 2-3 months).

 

Any advices to avoid this kind of situation ? 

Edited by Pat92, December 23 2021 - 4:07 PM.

[Manitobant]

Some of that stuff you fed them could have pesticides in it, most notably the mandarin juice or food coloring.

[ANTdrew]

Agreed. Never feed your ants commercial fruits unless they are organic.