15 replies to this topic

[Pogonomatt]

My young colony of Pogonomyrmex barbatus doesn’t seem to like any of the seeds I’m offering. They love dead flies, but show no interest in seeds… I’ve tried chia, niger, millet, sunflower, dandelion, quinoa. I’m even trying to soak a range to see if that makes them more attractive. Any suggestions?

[B_rad0806]

Kentucky bluegrass seeds, every harvester loves them

[AntsGodzilla]

I know from experience that my Pogonomyrmex love them

[Pogonomatt]

Not sure you can get Kentucky bluegrass in the UK, but I have offered a range of grass seeds too. My other Pogonomyrmex seem to like seeds, it’s very weird.

[Somethinghmm]

Your colony is likely eating the seeds, even if it doesn't look like they are. For now, I would suggest continuing to feed them insects regularly, because many Pogonomyrmex perform very well on a nearly exclusively insect diet. In fact, that could be part of the reason they don't appear interested in seeds. Also, as a side note, please don't soak the seeds.

[bmb1bee]

My young colony of Pogonomyrmex barbatus doesn’t seem to like any of the seeds I’m offering. They love dead flies, but show no interest in seeds… I’ve tried chia, niger, millet, sunflower, dandelion, quinoa. I’m even trying to soak a range to see if that makes them more attractive. Any suggestions?

Have you tried crushing open the sunflower seeds? Pogonomyrmex will go crazy for crushed sunflower seeds.

[Full_Frontal_Yeti]

My pogonomyrmex occidentalis dig on all the seeds you mentioned.
Kentucky blues grass seeds also as mentioned. 
And also mentioned sunflower seeds. Barbatus are fairly big i bet they can crush a sunflower seed up on their own. And if they can't they will look hilarious carrying them around. My occidentalis sure do.

Oh i also buy garden seed packets just to spoil them. It's kind a stupid costly for the amount you get. But it does open up a huge variety of grass and flower seeds. I shake the packets to be sure and get smaller rather than larger seeds.

[mbullock42086]

basically your giving them the choice between kibble and a juicy prime steak cut.

 

Edited by mbullock42086, September 13 2024 - 4:45 PM.

[ANTdrew]

basically your giving them the choice between kibble and a juicy prime steak cut.

Exactly. Any ant is going to choose fresh insects over seeds. Kentucky bluegrass is actually native to Eurasia, not Kentucky. Perhaps you can find it under a different name in Europe?

[ANTdrew]

My seed eating ants all love these: https://www.amazon.c...yY2hfYXRm&psc=1
I get them in the health food section of my grocery store.

[Pogonomatt]

Thanks everyone! I had wondered whether they just prefer the ‘steak’ (flies) I gave them to speed their founding. I’m up to about 20 workers now so I guess I can wait for the dried out flies to be consumed and trust they’ll move on to seeds more. I think I was just concerned that my rugosus, badius, and californicus all seem to have eaten seeds from the very start. The badius seem to prefer seeds actually.

[mbullock42086]

My seed eating ants all love these: https://www.amazon.c...yY2hfYXRm&psc=1
I get them in the health food section of my grocery store.

nice and tender, too.  really easy to eat

[ANTdrew]

Also CBD. Lol

My seed eating ants all love these: https://www.amazon.c...yY2hfYXRm&psc=1
I get them in the health food section of my grocery store.

nice and tender, too. really easy to eat

Also CBD.

Edited by ANTdrew, September 14 2024 - 1:12 PM.

[mbullock42086]

 

 

Also CBD. Lol

My seed eating ants all love these: https://www.amazon.c...yY2hfYXRm&psc=1
I get them in the health food section of my grocery store.

nice and tender, too. really easy to eat

Also CBD.

 

a lil bit.  most of it is in the leaves, but a small amount is present in the seeds.  it's quite negligible though.  different parts of the plant have different cannabinoids- the stem has CBN

[mete]

Maybe they are collecting a very small quantity. When I offer insects, Messor barbarus also always finishes insects first. Also I think when they have access to seeds nearby the nest (in their storage in some sense), they do not collect much from the outworld.

[Full_Frontal_Yeti]

oh and i totally forgot to say small seed fresh fruits and berries. organic and washed of course.

My pogonomyrmex occidentalis will mine the seeds out of blueberries, raspberries, off strawberries and whatever. Keeps em busy.

Edited by Full_Frontal_Yeti, September 15 2024 - 7:50 PM.