3 replies to this topic

[Ants_Dakota]

Good day everyone.

I have managed to catch a decent quantity of L. brevicornis queens this anting season and would like to hear from those of you who have kept this species before. Specifically, what is the best founding setup for them; does a plain test tube work, or do i need an insert or substrate. Secondly, it is well known these ants keep root aphids, something i have not seen attempted before by ant keepers in setups, so is this required for their survival or not. I assume, based off of L. neoniger, that in northern regions, such as South Dakota, L. brevicornis need to hibernate before laying eggs this spring. So that would explain no eggs yet. And finally, what heating is used on L. brevicornis, if any.

Thank you all!

[ColAnt735]

Good day everyone.

I have managed to catch a decent quantity of L. brevicornis queens this anting season and would like to hear from those of you who have kept this species before. Specifically, what is the best founding setup for them; does a plain test tube work, or do i need an insert or substrate. Secondly, it is well known these ants keep root aphids, something i have not seen attempted before by ant keepers in setups, so is this required for their survival or not. I assume, based off of L. neoniger, that in northern regions, such as South Dakota, L. brevicornis need to hibernate before laying eggs this spring. So that would explain no eggs yet. And finally, what heating is used on L. brevicornis, if any.

Thank you all!

A blank test tube will work although I have found them to be more successful when a little bit of substrate in the tube.  They are very shy so when the workers arrive don't make them travel distances to get food. Some food my colony likes are fruit flies, all sugar sources,  and sometimes they'll accept mealworms.

Edited by ColAnt735, September 29 2022 - 11:01 AM.

[Ants_Dakota]

 

Good day everyone.

I have managed to catch a decent quantity of L. brevicornis queens this anting season and would like to hear from those of you who have kept this species before. Specifically, what is the best founding setup for them; does a plain test tube work, or do i need an insert or substrate. Secondly, it is well known these ants keep root aphids, something i have not seen attempted before by ant keepers in setups, so is this required for their survival or not. I assume, based off of L. neoniger, that in northern regions, such as South Dakota, L. brevicornis need to hibernate before laying eggs this spring. So that would explain no eggs yet. And finally, what heating is used on L. brevicornis, if any.

Thank you all!

A blank test tube will work although I have found them to be more successful when a little bit of substrate in the tube.  They are very shy so when the workers arrive don't make them travel distances to get food. Some food my colony likes are fruit flies, all sugar sources,  and sometimes they'll accept mealworms.

 

did you hibernate yours, and are they on heat?

[ColAnt735]

 

 

Good day everyone.

I have managed to catch a decent quantity of L. brevicornis queens this anting season and would like to hear from those of you who have kept this species before. Specifically, what is the best founding setup for them; does a plain test tube work, or do i need an insert or substrate. Secondly, it is well known these ants keep root aphids, something i have not seen attempted before by ant keepers in setups, so is this required for their survival or not. I assume, based off of L. neoniger, that in northern regions, such as South Dakota, L. brevicornis need to hibernate before laying eggs this spring. So that would explain no eggs yet. And finally, what heating is used on L. brevicornis, if any.

Thank you all!

A blank test tube will work although I have found them to be more successful when a little bit of substrate in the tube.  They are very shy so when the workers arrive don't make them travel distances to get food. Some food my colony likes are fruit flies, all sugar sources,  and sometimes they'll accept mealworms.

 

did you hibernate yours, and are they on heat?

 

I did not hibernate mine because they got eggs before diapause. In my experience they do better when not on heat.