7 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

Ant workers die young and colonies collapse when fed a high-protein diet.

A key determinant of the relationship between diet and longevity is the balance of protein and carbohydrate in the diet. Eating excess protein relative to carbohydrate shortens lifespan in solitary insects.

http://rspb.royalsoc....2012.0051.full

[Anhzor]

The study was done on ants without broods

 

"In our study, larvae were absent, partly explaining why ants survived better on a highly carbohydrate-biased diet."

[dspdrew]

Exactly. I had that in mind even before they specifically mentioned it. The ants still can't separate the protein from carbs though, so even though the larvae might need the food with the higher protein, the workers still have to eat something with less. I think it would be best to give them two separate substances, one with high protein and one with high carbs.

[Mercutia]

I wonder if this affects the effectiveness of the Byformica forumla and TarHeelAnts juice since there is no discernible way to separate the protein from the carbohydrate in those.

[Tspivey16]

Ant Juice is seperated- it comes in a bag with 3 seperate ingredients so you can control how much of each you put in according to the need (you can mix each serving you give them differently)

Edited by Tspivey16, August 22 2014 - 3:48 AM.

[Mercutia]

What is the third ingredient in THA juice?

[Tspivey16]

an Oil vial

[Mercutia]

Humm, and here I thought it was vitamins.