19 replies to this topic

[Hiromilovesmealworms]

This is just a fun conversation thread, my two favorite types of ants are camponotus and pheidole. 

Can you guys explain which genus is more fun to keep, cooler, or cuter. 

Feel free to choose any other ant that you think is better, and explain.

[antsriondel]

This is just a fun conversation thread, my two favorite types of ants are camponotus and pheidole. 

Can you guys explain which genus is more fun to keep, cooler, or cuter. 

Feel free to choose any other ant that you think is better, and explain.

This is opinion based but I find Pheidole colonies one hundred times more entertaining than Camponotus. They are way more cool and they have awesome looking majors and their minors are adorable. 

Edited by antsriondel, November 2 2023 - 11:20 AM.

[Hiromilovesmealworms]

I can't decide cuz camponotus are so big and cool, but pheidole are cute 

[antsriondel]

 

This is just a fun conversation thread, my two favorite types of ants are camponotus and pheidole. 

Can you guys explain which genus is more fun to keep, cooler, or cuter. 

Feel free to choose any other ant that you think is better, and explain.

This is opinion based but I find Pheidole colonies one hundred times more entertaining than Camponotus. They are way more cool and they have awesome looking majors and their minors are adorable. 

 

Pheidole are also polygynous whereas most Camponotus are strictly monogynous.

[ANTdrew]

Pheidole 100%! The different castes are fun to watch, plus they’re way more active. Cons can be escape proofing for tiny ants, plus difficulties cleaning their enclosure once it fills up with thousands of tiny workers.

[Virginian_ants]

I gonna say Camponotus because it's is much easier to watch their everyday life because of their size. Though they do grow slower it makes it so much more rewarding when they do reach a big size.

[bmb1bee]

I agree with all of the Pheidole pros mentioned above (and may even favor Pheidole myself), but I'd like to vote on behalf of Camponotus. They definitely do grow slower than Pheidole, can be picky, and are generally more "boring", but they do have some interesting qualities to make up for that:

1) Size. Some are massive, with majors that can surpass the queens in size, which already reach 20 mm on the higher end. The largest ant species in the US is guaranteed to be in the genus Camponotus.

 

2) Appearance. Like Pheidole, they also get plenty of color variation. Some particularly cool colors can be found in C. ocreatus and C. essigi. Others have truncated heads, like C. yogi and C. ulcerosus.

 

3) Growth. Their growth can be easily controlled by heat, compared to Pheidole which usually grow pretty fast. Some hibernate, which makes them easy to care for over winter. Also, not all grow slowly. C. fragilis. grow extremely fast with heat. Their numbers can exceed a thousand within the first year...

 

4) Care. Overall easy to keep and maintain. Unlike Pheidole, they aren't severe escape artists, and will only need a simple barrier or lid.

[AntsCali098]

I'd say Pheidole simply because they grow a lot faster, although fast growing Camponotus are awesome and probably better.

[JustabirdfromFlorida]

Camponotus

They are cute adorable and visible unlike most pheidole and they are much more fun to keep especially C.floridanus and C. castaneus.

And being in Florida I am fed up with pheidole. I would most definatly trade any camponotus for even P. rhea

Edited by asim, November 3 2023 - 5:39 AM.

[AntsCali098]

Camponotus
They are cute adorable and visible unlike most pheidole and they are much more fun to keep especially C.floridanus and C. castaneus.
And being in Florida I am fed up with pheidole. I would most definatly trade any camponotus for even P. rhea

What a trade...I wish I was in Florida lol

[bmb1bee]

Doesn't Florida have metallic Pheidole? That'd be cool to keep. On the other end, I'd get rid of any of my Camponotus to have a chance at keeping Pheidole rhea. 

[DRpepper]

To be honest there are quite a few species in both that make up for a lot of the "downsides" listed here. In my opinion both are really fun but Pheidole have the slight edge depending on species for me. 

Edited by DRpepper, November 4 2023 - 2:52 PM.

[ANTdrew]

To be honest there are quite a few species in both that make up for a lot of the "downsides" listed here. In my opinion both are really fun but pedophile have the slight edge depending on species for me.

Auto correct strikes again.

[JustabirdfromFlorida]

To be honest there are quite a few species in both that make up for a lot of the "downsides" listed here. In my opinion both are really fun but pedophile have the slight edge depending on species for me.

Auto correct strikes again.

That is very funny

[JustabirdfromFlorida]

Camponotus
They are cute adorable and visible unlike most pheidole and they are much more fun to keep especially C.floridanus and C. castaneus.
And being in Florida I am fed up with pheidole. I would most definatly trade any camponotus for even P. rhea

What a trade...I wish I was in Florida lol

I wish I could have Camponotus CA02

Edited by asim, November 3 2023 - 1:25 PM.

[JustabirdfromFlorida]

Doesn't Florida have metallic Pheidole? That'd be cool to keep. On the other end, I'd get rid of any of my Camponotus to have a chance at keeping Pheidole rhea.

Trust me you get fed up with pheidole when you live in Florida. Well most people

[AntPerson76]

I've never really kept camponotus before, but I know keeping any type of pheidole is very fun and entertaining. If I had a choice it would be pheidole every time. 

[bmb1bee]

I wish I could have Camponotus CA02

 

Definitely the largest ant, let alone Camponotus species, in the US. Pretty sure. Unless Atta queens are slightly bigger. Ca02 majors are definitely the biggest "workers" we've got though.

[SYUTEO]

Camponotus are larger and come in more variation, Pheidole is smaller and are often polygynous. Can't say which is better to keep but Camponotus for me gives more excitement when you find a queen than Pheidole because they are a lot rarer and you would often find more than one species unlike Pheidole where they fly every night and you would only see one species unless you live in the forest so you can really get fed up with P. parva.

[100lols]

The choice between keeping Pheidole or Camponotus obviously depends on your personal preferences and what you find "fun."

I think a lot of the pros and cons listed already I’d have to agree with. One thing I’d like to add, is thinking about space restrictions or lack there of. Consider factors like colony size, behavior, and your personal preferences, and you’re sure to enjoy the colony!

I love watching my Pheidole colonies activity, they’re always foraging! & one of my Pheidole colonies has an insane food response even as a young colony. BUT I also love seeing the details and behavior of the larger ants. Camponotus ants have some fight in them due to their size… Plus, they grow slower allowing you to enjoy the younger days of the colony.

Personally, I’d go with both