Jump to content

  • Gallery
  • Members
  • Member Map
  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Myrmecophytes, realistically

Started By Stubyvast , Sep 9 2024 5:55 PM
myrmecophytes ant plants plant symbiosis

  • Please log in to reply
1 reply to this topic

#1 Offline Stubyvast - Posted September 9 2024 - 5:55 PM

Stubyvast

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 265 posts
  • LocationBC, Canada

Hey everyone! 

I was recently doing a biology 11 class, and it occurred to me that I haven't heard of anyone actively raising ants in ant-plants, or myrmecophytes. These plants are specialized to feed and provide food for ants, in return for a variety of benefits, such as reproduction, defence, and even, in some cases, food. 

So I was wondering, has this ever been done in a contained environment, and have any of you ever done this? Is this realistically plausible? Let me know your thoughts!


Currently raising: 

Manica invidia (1 queen +  ~30 workers)

Lasius niger (single queen + ~200+ workers)

Lasius neoniger (2 single queen + brood)

Lasius neoniger (1 queen + worker, more on the way!)

Tetramorium immigrans (1 queen + ~1200 workers)

#2 Offline Leo - Posted September 9 2024 - 6:26 PM

Leo

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,531 posts
  • LocationHong Kong

I have a Hydnophytum moseleyanum I'm growing at home that is inhabited by a colony of Tetramorium. I've also been looking to purchase a few ant ferns but haven't gotten around to doing so.

I believe the more specialized Myrmecophytes may require specific host species (e.g. Cecropia), but it is likely that most myrmecophytic plants can be raised in captivity with or without their host colonies.


Edited by Leo, September 9 2024 - 8:49 PM.

  • eea likes this
Back to General · Next Unread Topic →



Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: myrmecophytes, ant plants, plant, symbiosis

1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users