5 replies to this topic

[kgollehon]

I have been rearing a small colony of S. Molesta and have a decent number of first-batch workers. I’ve offered them honey and a mealworm piece but they show no interest. I don’t have fruit fly pupae, is there anything that they might take a liking to? I can order some pupae but who knows when I’d get them. If anyone has a S. molesta colony or knows about their diet it’d be greatly appreciated!

[kgollehon]

 

Here is an image of the setup!

[AntPhycho]

When did the workers enclose? If it was very recent there is the possibility that they are just not hungry yet, and most of their exoskeleton is still hardening (including their mouth parts). They may like some smaller food like a large cricket leg, or an extremely small cockroach nymph. I didn't feed my colony of those until they were at around 15 workers.

[kgollehon]

The workers enclosed about a week ago, don’t have exact dates but I think you may be right. I can remove the food and watch to see if they get more active at the cotton plug over the next few days. I may try to get some raw honey as I only have regular table honey as well.

When did the workers enclose? If it was very recent there is the possibility that they are just not hungry yet, and most of their exoskeleton is still hardening (including their mouth parts). They may like some smaller food like a large cricket leg, or an extremely small cockroach nymph. I didn't feed my colony of those until they were at around 15 workers.

[AntPhycho]

The workers enclosed about a week ago, don’t have exact dates but I think you may be right. I can remove the food and watch to see if they get more active at the cotton plug over the next few days. I may try to get some raw honey as I only have regular table honey as well.
 

When did the workers enclose? If it was very recent there is the possibility that they are just not hungry yet, and most of their exoskeleton is still hardening (including their mouth parts). They may like some smaller food like a large cricket leg, or an extremely small cockroach nymph. I didn't feed my colony of those until they were at around 15 workers.

 

Haha yeah remember to do a small drop. When I fed mine a big honey drop for the first time once they reached 20 workers, four ants swan dived into it and drowned themselves. I guess it is the sweetest way to die for an ant anyways.

 

Here is a link to almost every feeder available http://www.rainbowmealworms.net/, good prices and they ship almost everywhere in the US.

Edited by AntPhycho, August 21 2018 - 7:55 PM.

[Ikerrilove]

The workers enclosed about a week ago, don’t have exact dates but I think you may be right. I can remove the food and watch to see if they get more active at the cotton plug over the next few days. I may try to get some raw honey as I only have regular table honey as well.
 

When did the workers enclose? If it was very recent there is the possibility that they are just not hungry yet, and most of their exoskeleton is still hardening (including their mouth parts). They may like some smaller food like a large cricket leg, or an extremely small cockroach nymph. I didn't feed my colony of those until they were at around 15 workers.

 

 

 

I don't know if this helps but I fed a wild colony a mosquito that bit me while watching them and they seemed to like that.