24 replies to this topic

[FeedTheAnts]

My Aphaenogaster seems to be having a die off of workers and I think it is because of a lack of sugar sources. I already asked for some ideas on what to feed them and started feeding them graham crackers but they no longer are interested in them. I really can't find anything sugar source that they like(I've tried a lot), I've even attached a sugar water test tube to their formicarium and they show no interest, they just use it to dump garbage in. I'm worried that the colony is going to die.

[AntsMaryland]

Have you tried honey...?

Also, are you giving them enough protein and water?

[FeedTheAnts]

Yes.

Yes.

Is chocolate safe to feed ants? I've tried apple and they show no interest, they are getting very frustrating.

[AntsMaryland]

choclate Is fine for ants

[Loops117]

I doubt it's the sugar sources. What are you feeding them and how humid is the nest? Aphaenogaster lack social stomachs, so bringing back sugary liquids isn't as common with this species. They're also a species that LOVES moist/humid nests and don't fair well in dryer climates.

[FeedTheAnts]

They are now in a hybrid nest and I keep it very moist.

[Lou9x9]

I have some aphaenogaster treatae and they go right for the honey I leave out for them. Maybe it's something to do with temp?

[FeedTheAnts]

They are kept in a garage with no air conditioning, so it is the same temp as it is outside.

[Batspiderfish]

In my experience, Aphaenogaster seem to be more on the predatory side. The difficulty may also have to do with how this colony was obtained, since wild, established colonies often have a harder time adapting to captivity or the new conditions.

Edited by Batspiderfish, July 26 2017 - 5:03 PM.

[FeedTheAnts]

Just tried peach and orange, they didn't show any interest. I just saw an ant that looked very weak and feeble and the other ants carried him to the graveyard site and he died. Is there any possibility that they have a disease? I'd like peoples honest opinion on whether or not I should release them.

[AntsMaryland]

You should release them, they are either sick or they just are not able to adjust to the living conditions. Judging by how they are dying off I would say they have some kind of fungal infection or disease. You should release them. Sorry.

[Batspiderfish]

Releasing ants because they might be sick is exactly why we aren't supposed to release them at all...

[Nathant2131]

Not releasing your ants has been explicitly stated by myrmecologists.

[AntsMaryland]

You forget that his colony was wild caught, so they obtained it naturally from their own living conditions.

What source did you get that information from?

[FeedTheAnts]

Thanks for your feedback, I think I've decided to release them. I might try and catch another young colony and hope they do better. If I decide to do this then I will be keeping the same journal and just use it for the new colony. There still might be a chance I keep them though, I will be keeping an eye on them for the next couple of days...

[Nathant2131]

You forget that his colony was wild caught, so they obtained it naturally from their own living conditions.

What source did you get that information from?

http://www.formicult...-colony-behind/

 

That thread should clear things up.

 

It doesn't matter how the ants are obtained from my understanding.

[FeedTheAnts]

I just saw a worker carrying a dead Pupa to the gravesite, that is not good, is it...

[lucas3431]

Put them into a clean, more dryer formicarium, if it's a bacterial infection then I would remove humidity and raise the temperature a little more, don't cook the ants, it might be a good idea to clean the outworlds. When you have cleaned up spray the outworld with clean water, keep nest dry for now.

Get yourself some springtails asap.

Have you tried feeding them peanut butter or strawberries.

[FeedTheAnts]

But I cleaned the formicarium very well before I put them in and that was just a few days ago, and they have been very clean, there is not a spot anywhere in it. The Outworld is a new one that I just made. I think I fed them strawberry jelly once, but I will be trying peanut butter, thanks for recommending it.

[FeedTheAnts]

I just released them, thank you all for your feedback. Like I said, I will be using the journal for a new colony if I ever catch one.