4 replies to this topic

[Floridaman]

Hello everyone, I just recently picked back up ant keeping as a hobby and currently live in Florida. On my way home today I managed to catch what I believe to be are 8 queens. They are all the same coloration and species. I have attached a picture of my personal favorite (she has broken off one of her wings). My best guess is they are indeed a solenopsis species of some kind, however their temperament is very calm and coloration seems to have these bands around most if not all of their abdomen. They are also somewhat small from what I was expecting, however again I am new these are just my first thoughts. Thank you and sorry for the long winded description, exciting times ahead!

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[Mettcollsuss]

Solenopsis invicta

[ANTdrew]

Sorry for your loss.

[Floridaman]

Haha thank you both! I appreciate the responses and apologies I’m still learning the forums. My school kills off most of the invasive’s in the area as they sting and cause problems so I was comparing them in size to carpenter workers which are large in themselves. I will most likely keep one or two that make it and donate the rest to a nearby study if they survive. Thanks again!

[Flu1d]

I keep Solenopsis invicta and they are very fun ants. My colony is up to a couple.. or even a few.. hundred workers at this point! They grow super fast if you make sure they have heat and water. Once she has her first workers, I typically wait a couple to a few days to let them harden up and then I give a fruit fly (or two depending on how big the species is) and some honey.

S. invicta LOVE heat, and you will oftentimes find them crowding wherever you have the Heating cable laying (don't put it too close to the water or you might have some flooding)

If you have any questions hit me up!

Edit:

I, too, am a Floridaman 🤣

Edited by Flu1d, May 2 2023 - 3:37 PM.