8 replies to this topic

[Mdrogun]

My Pogonomyrmex colony seems to dislike seeds. When I got the colony the seller provided a little container of seeds with multiple types of seeds in it. They seem to hate these seeds. I constantly have seeds in the outworld and they show no interest in them. They just want to store cricket parts. What kind of seeds do Pogonomyrmex like?

[yen_saw]

Pogonomyrmex barbatus that I kept seems to show more interest on dead insects more than seeds too if both type of food are available. But they will feed on sunflower seeds if there's nothing else provided. So my guess is that if there's an option for the Pogonomyrmex they will go for meat instead of seed.

[Retroman]

The problem may be the shape of the seeds,  the familiarity of the seed to the species,  or several other factors.

 

This is a interesting paper on the desirability and nutrition of naturally-occurring seeds: http://digitalcommon...=agronomyfacpub

 

What works for me with several Pogonomyrmex species are Poppy, Chia and Black Nyger seeds. I would order on-line and choose the untreated, organic variety. Be careful not to order any seeds that have a protective coating applied (dichrondra) or have been heat-treated.

 

The Chia and Poppy seeds are small enough for most nanitics to handle. Most Pogonomyrmex species in captivity are inactive at this point, so don't be too discouraged if your ants are not that interested. They will be come spring when when full-scale brood production resumes.

Edited by Retroman, December 24 2015 - 9:54 AM.

[Mdrogun]

The problem may be the shape of the seeds,  the familiarity of the seed to the species,  or several other factors.

 

This is a interesting paper on the desirability and nutrition of naturally-occurring seeds: http://digitalcommon...=agronomyfacpub

 

What works for me with several Pogonomyrmex species are Poppy, Chia and Black Nyger seeds. I would order on-line and choose the untreated, organic variety. Be careful not to order any seeds that have a protective coating applied (dichrondra) or have been heat-treated.

 

The Chia and Poppy seeds are small enough for most nanitics to handle. Most Pogonomyrmex species in captivity are inactive at this point, so don't be too discouraged if your ants are not that interested. They will be come spring when when full-scale brood production resumes.

I will order some of those seeds. Thanks!

[Runner12]

Mine will always accept chia seeds and hulled hemp seeds. You can even find a combo pack of these in the health food/organic section of wal mart, or sold individually in small pouches.

Yellow millet clusters are usually accepted, but not always. I knock the seeds off the clusters first. They don't do well with bird seed that has the 'polished' appearance usually. The hulled hemp seeds are fed to the brood pretty quickly. The chia seeds won't store, they seem to fall apart if they get damp, so don't give them more than they can eat at once.

If pokeweed grows in your area mine go nuts for that.

Fwiw my Pogonomyrmex are still active and producing brood. I spoke with two researchers who raise hundreds of Pogonomyrmex colonies and they said they never hibernate their captive Pogonomyrmex, and maintain them at a constant 80 degrees. In terms of insects they recommended boiled and frozen chopped meal wprms and crickets. I feed mine crushed flies too. I've had a lot of success with following their instructions but it may vary by species.

Edited by Runner12, December 24 2015 - 5:21 PM.

[Crystals]

I have heard a few people mentioning that their Pogonomyrmex go crazy over kentucky blue grass seeds (hard to find without chemicals though).  Even the founding queens will store every piece they can find, even if it is 1/4 cup. 

 

There is a list of seeds in the Preferred food list - http://www.formicult...ood-by-species/

[Vendayn]

I have heard a few people mentioning that their Pogonomyrmex go crazy over kentucky blue grass seeds (hard to find without chemicals though).  Even the founding queens will store every piece they can find, even if it is 1/4 cup. 

 

There is a list of seeds in the Preferred food list - http://www.formicult...ood-by-species/

I couldn't find kentucky blue grass seed anywhere, at Home Depot or grocery stores or garden stores. I was told its easy to find, but not from my experience. And then when I gave up and ordered some, my Pogonomyrmex completely ignored it. My Pogonomyrmex californicus (the all red-variety) ignored almost all of the food I gave them except insects. The bi-color or hybrid of them are far more accepting of food from my observations. The all red Pogonomyrmex californicus seem to die a lot faster too. Never had luck raising them at all. The bi-color and hybrid are vastly easier to keep, especially since they are far less picky. I tried all the foods people said Pogonomyrmex like, and my all red-variety Pogonomyrmex ignored everything, except termites and crickets.

 

I bet they are actually different species of Pogonomyrmex and just regarded as the same (Pogonomyrmex californicus), but when I said that in the past, no one ever agrees. They don't act or look the same, don't act the same toward food, nor the same in keeping them (bi-color variety being vastly easier to keep in my experience.)

 

In any case, my hybrid colored Pogonomyrmex like crushed peanuts the most. They like crushed walnuts too. And every ant likes termites, if you have any of those. And all of mine (except the all red variety that I gave up trying to raise) like quinoa seeds.

Edited by Vendayn, December 27 2015 - 5:40 PM.

[dspdrew]

This Kentucky Bluegrass seed is perfectly clean and pure.

 

http://www.amazon.co...duct/B0000CGPNY

[Mdrogun]

This Kentucky Bluegrass seed is perfectly clean and pure.

 

http://www.amazon.co...duct/B0000CGPNY

Thank you