3 replies to this topic

[Stevesteve]

Hi,

Noob alert here! I will probably need to ask quite a few questions. I am going to be doing some studies of ant behaviour and filming them etc so I have acquired a couple of colonies of Messor barbarus and Lasius Niger.

I am going to keep them in their test tubes for the moment but am thinking of making some smaller habitats for them from aerated concrete as I go along.

One quick question. I have given them drops of honey water and a very small pinch of insect powder for protein but how often should I be feeding them?

Cheers,
Steve

Edited by Stevesteve, August 18 2016 - 9:00 AM.

[benjiwuf]

the best bet for Messor barbarus is seeds and insects. Lasius niger on the other had takes insects and sugar water (from my research as i failed with Messor barbarus, and am only now keeping Lasius niger for the first time). Also, welcome to the forum.

[Stevesteve]

Thanks benjiwuf, I'll keep them well fed and see how we do then.

[Trailandstreet]

Lasius niger and Messor barbarus? That looks like you are not from the US.

 

welcome to the forum!

 

Lasius niger is not one of the picky ants. They take what they can get. For smaller colonies a fly every two or three days is enough and of cours a drop of sugar- or honeywater.

Don't make too big drops, because the nanitics can get stuck in there.

 

Messor barbarus is not really interested in sweet fluids, they prefer seeds and of course water. Colonies with more than only a few workers are also interested in insects, but they are not the fierce predators as other ants.