6 replies to this topic

[DinoH]

I have been into antkeeping for a few months and I got my first Formica queen. But I can't find any information of how to keep what I think is Formica subsericea. Unfortunelly I could not get any pictures but it looks exacly like Formica subsericea.

[antsriondel]

I have been into antkeeping for a few months and I got my first Formica queen. But I can't find any information of how to keep what I think is Formica subsericea. Unfortunelly I could not get any pictures but it looks exacly like Formica subsericea.

Nice find! They love to eat soft-bodied insects, they hate hard foods of any sort, they enjoy sugary foods like honey, and their growth rate depends on food supply. I would recommend to get liquid feeder for them. They can be polygynous but I would not recommend it. They are fully claustral but it does not hurt to give them a small drop of honey on a piece of parchment paper. They can get to a few thousand workers and are a very hardy species, though they do spray formic acid. 

[Virginian_ants]

You can look for the care sheets of Formica Fusca as well they are very similar, but antsriondel put most of the information out.

Edited by Virginian_ants, July 5 2023 - 3:49 PM.

[DinoH]

 

I have been into antkeeping for a few months and I got my first Formica queen. But I can't find any information of how to keep what I think is Formica subsericea. Unfortunelly I could not get any pictures but it looks exacly like Formica subsericea.

Nice find! They love to eat soft-bodied insects, they hate hard foods of any sort, they enjoy sugary foods like honey, and their growth rate depends on food supply. I would recommend to get liquid feeder for them. They can be polygynous but I would not recommend it. They are fully claustral but it does not hurt to give them a small drop of honey on a piece of parchment paper. They can get to a few thousand workers and are a very hardy species, though they do spray formic acid. 

 

What are soft-bodied insects. Can I feed them superworms?

[Virginian_ants]

Yeah just choop it in half first so they can get the juicy insides.

[Mettcollsuss]

Mine never had any issues with hard-shelled insects. I only use roaches as feeders now, but in the past they were still receptive to mealworms and super worms, and I regularly see wild colonies dragging in prey like beetles.

F. subsericea don't have any special care requirements. As long as they have water, sugar water, and insects, they'll do fine.

[antsriondel]

Mine never had any issues with hard-shelled insects. I only use roaches as feeders now, but in the past they were still receptive to mealworms and super worms, and I regularly see wild colonies dragging in prey like beetles.

F. subsericea don't have any special care requirements. As long as they have water, sugar water, and insects, they'll do fine.

They don't need soft-bodied insects but they are more receptive to them.