4 replies to this topic

[YawningGull]

I don't know how I should steal pupae from a mature wild nest.

Will the pupae be clearly visible when I dig through the dirt? Will I have to shift through the dirt to find what I need?

Someone please explain.

[Salmon]

Pupae are usually very easy to see. But you have to act fast as the ants quickly carry them away when you disturb the nest.

A tip I learned from another member is to dig a shallow pit on top of an ant nest and cover it with a flat rock. The rock heats up in the sun so the ants move their brood under it to help them grow. Then you can turn over the rock and steal the pupae.

You can also look under existing rocks, which ants often congregate under. Some kinds of ants like Aphaenogaster can be found by peeling back the bark on dead logs.

[Batspiderfish]

Brood boosting is not a great idea unless you are working with social parasites.

[Salmon]

Brood boosting is not a great idea unless you are working with social parasites.

Why?

[Batspiderfish]

 

Brood boosting is not a great idea unless you are working with social parasites.

Why?

 

 

On one hand, we are potentially introducing parasites and disease to our colonies. On the other, we are disturbing or harming a wild nest just to superficially shortcut a few months into the life of a normal colony (or prolonging a failing colony).

 

Social parasites and certain budding species require workers during the founding stages.