4 replies to this topic

[megaxoplasma]

Hello everyone,

I just have a question about protein, as in how far into nanitics should you offer your colony protein??

I have a lasius with 6 nanitics, I fed them honey and they gladly ate it, however when I provide wet fish food or mealworm chopped in half they don't really care for it. She had her first Nanitic  like 2 weeks ago and now have 6 nanitic and a bunch of brood.  Is it because there is yet to be larvae that they are not interested in the protein source??? Not sure when I should offer it and I won't want to protein deprive them by giving protein too late. But giving protein now seems wasteful since they just ignore it and I end up having to remove it from the feeding area cause it would rot etc if left alone.

 

This is a question for my growing lasius as well as a few queens in founding stage for future reference

 

Thank you so much everyone

 

#AntLove

[Zeiss]

Watch out when giving pure honey, honey by itself could easily trap ants and drown them; you might want to dilute it with water or make sugar water.  Some say 50/50 ratio works best for them.  

 

About the protein, Do you see them going towards it at all? What behavior do they have with it.  

[megaxoplasma]

They go towards it, become like 1 or 2 cm from it, most likely smell it, then backs away to their queen and huddles and moves on with guarding brood and chilling. 

[Shaye]

Perhaps try something smaller, like a fruit fly or termite. Most nanitics seem to be very cautious towards large food items.

Edited by Shaye, September 15 2017 - 2:31 AM.

[Rattus]

You can easily feed them a queen that turns out to be unmated, before it dies of course. Just cut it and place inside the test tube.

My nanitics like to feast on queens. Sounds bad, but they will die anyway.