30 replies to this topic

[William. T]

Solenopis Invicta. If you skimp on the protein, they are actually very fun to keep.

[Socalfireants]

I've only kept Pogonomyrmex Californicus, Solenopsis xyloni. And crematagaster. I guess the solenopsis is my favourite, being polymorphic. I'm so jealous of all your atta and Acromyrmex colonies!

[ctantkeeper]

If I had to pick my favorite genera I would have to say Pheidole, Atta, Solenopsis, Azteca, Myrmecocystus and Cephaloates, but if you were to ask me what my favorite genera to keep in captivity (keep in mind that this is determined by what I common locally. Trust me, I would love to raise Atta or something else, but this is what I have available.) would be, I would probably say Lasius, Monomorium and Pheidole.

Edited by ctantkeeper, April 11 2016 - 9:01 PM.

[dspdrew]

Ive only kept pogo Californicus, Solenopsis xyloni. And crematagaster. I guess the solenopsis is my favourite, being polymorphic. Im so jealous of all your atta and acro colonies!

 

Hey we have Acromyrmex right here in Southern California.

[Vendayn]

Solenopsis genus overall, especially Solenopsis aurea/amblychila. Solenopsis invicta are fun to keep too, though I like the native Solenopsis more just because they are native.

 

Pheidole are very fun to keep and I'd rate them as #2 of all my favorite ants, but I like the smaller Pheidole than the larger Pheidole hyatti (and the others similar to them). I noticed the tiny ones are a lot hardier (very easy to keep), and eat a lot more seeds than bigger Pheidole. I have Pheidole megacephala, and they don't even eat seeds. But, Pheidole megacephala are fun to keep and it will be fun watching them mate in captivity and expand a lot. Ph. megacephala seem very hardy as well, don't die easily at all...very easy to keep. I'd rate them as easy as Solenopsis invicta, and a bit easier, in that they don't escape nearly as easily.

 

However, nothing beats Acromyrmex and Atta for me. And luckily, we have Acromyrmex versicolor here which is my favorite Leafcutter (got a colony from Drew). They are the easier Leafcutters to keep. I read Atta and most other Leafcutters are a lot harder to raise. Humidity and temperature is a vastly bigger requirement to Atta, needing very precise temperature/humidity compared to Acromyrmex versicolor. So, I think having Acromyrmex versicolor in California is luckier than having Atta. Plus I like how they look more, though Atta is pretty cool with their massive size differences and how giant the queen is. The other (lesser known) fungus growing ants are really cool too. Plus at least for Acromyrmex versicolor, they are such hard workers. They are always doing something any time I look at them, even though they are a small colony right now. Every single other ant I've had, when their colony is small they don't do anything and are really lazy.

Edited by Vendayn, April 13 2016 - 3:34 PM.

[NightsWebs]

I am very partial to Pogonomyrmex but I have to admit my Novomessor Cockerelli are just unreal.  I have enjoyed them the most since catching them with Drew in Goffs. 

[James C. Trager]

Years ago I kept two young Camponotus floridanus colonies with very different "personalities" (formicalities?), one very mellow, and the other very vigilant and aggressive. I'd like to try them again, but even more so, I have a dream of seeing a magnificent colony of Camponotus sericeiventris on display in a zoo insectarium or tropical house.
Here are some Alex Wild images of this gorgeous, diurnal, tropical Camponotus: http://www.alexander... sericeiventris

[dspdrew]

Years ago I kept two young Camponotus floridanus colonies with very different "personalities" (formicalities?), one very mellow, and the other very vigilant and aggressive. I'd like to try them again, but even more so, I have a dream of seeing a magnificent colony of Camponotus sericeiventris on display in a zoo insectarium or tropical house.
Here are some Alex Wild images of this gorgeous, diurnal, tropical Camponotus: http://www.alexander... sericeiventris

 

Wow those are crazy looking. Weird to see spines on a Camponotus. I really wish there was a zoo somewhere with giant, totally natural displays of all the most unique ants from around the world.

[Crystals]

My favorite varies day by day.

I have a soft spot for Formica though.

[TofuPower]

Solenopis Invicta, but mainly because they are the only kind I've been able to get my hands on.  

 

I can really appreciate how smart and tough they are.  They thrive despite my numerous short-comings as an ant-keeper.  Their personalities intrigue me the most... like the entire colony has a single personality.

 

And the Solenopis Invicta personality seems to mostly be along the lines of "I'm going to murder you human!      I'm going to rip you into tiny little- oh, look!    An orange slice!"

Edited by TofuPower, April 14 2016 - 10:01 AM.

[antmaniac]

Years ago I kept two young Camponotus floridanus colonies with very different "personalities" (formicalities?), one very mellow, and the other very vigilant and aggressive. I'd like to try them again, but even more so, I have a dream of seeing a magnificent colony of Camponotus sericeiventris on display in a zoo insectarium or tropical house.
Here are some Alex Wild images of this gorgeous, diurnal, tropical Camponotus: http://www.alexander... sericeiventris

I actually found a very aggressive red Pheidole queen the other day. Ususally they are shy and less aggressive, without the open jaw and attacking posture that is.