5 replies to this topic

[AntsBrazil]

Hello, my Solenopsis saevissima got her first worker, with at least 3 more coming in the next weeks. But this ones are boosted workers, I probably have to feed them so the queen can keep producing brood, right? Also, in the photo there's a black/brown spot that seems to be mold, should I be worried?

 

This is my first ant to have a worker, that's so cool =D

 

[drtrmiller]

Your cotton appears too wet, overly saturated.

The mold shouldn't be a problem, but I'd learn to compress the cotton properly before inserting it into the test tube so it's not so wet.

[AntsBrazil]

Thanks, but the main question still not answered. I need to feed them now? I thought that the cotton should be that way so they can drink the water. 

[CallMeCraven]

I need to feed them now?

You can give them bits of freshly killed bugs such as meal worm sections or cricket legs. The extra protein will help the developing ants grow and also allow for the queen to possible lay more eggs. Honey water can also be good but won't benefit the brood as much as protein. I suggest making small "serving" dishes out of foil or paper to serve the food to the ants. It really helps with cleaning up after they eat .

[Mdrogun]

I feed my small colonies like this Drosophila hydei flies. Pretty much any soft bodied insect will do but make sure they're not too large. When the colony gets larger (50+ workers) you can start to feed them pretty much any insect but for now you should stick to something easy for them to eat and carry. I would also make sure you give them some carbohydrates (sugary substances like honey, sugar water, etc.) just make sure the drop is extremely tiny so they can eat all of it otherwise it'll mold. Ants are actually extremely resistant to mold and a tiny dot of mold like that shouldn't affect them at all.

[AntsBrazil]

Thanks for the answers. I placed a drop of honey and a spider leg but they don't seem interested.