9 replies to this topic

[pedroleite]

Hi, I'm a graduate student in soil science and hydrology and as part of my dissertation, I'd like to investigate the role of some ants in soil modifications due to nest construction.  I would probably be looking only into the most abundant species found in my site in South Texas, probably some Pheidole sp. and Pogonomyrmex taxanus.

Does anyone have experience in starting a colony like this, in a terrarium with real soil? I'd really appreciate any insight about how to proceed, You guys clearly have way more experience with keeping ant colonies than the guys from the entomology department at the University.

Thank you in advance

[T.C.]

Hello there pedroleite and welcome to Formiculture. In a terrarium with real soil, a person will find it's the best setup for a great deal of ant species. Not all however. It just affects the visual part of observation. However for the best observation purposes, you might want to look into buying or finding a mature colony within your area.

[pedroleite]

Hi T.C., and thank you for your reply! 

I have to learn more about ants in general, the species found at my site and their life histories, but I believe that the might do well in a terrarium with real soil. I will definetelly look into obtaining a mature colony. Do you have any sugestionson how to buy/find one?

Again, thank you for your response.

[T.C.]

No problem. The species in your area is likely a dirt nesting species. If wild colonies of this species are nesting in the soil, then ya know, it's likely a dirt nesting species. And to obtain a colony assuming your located in the U.S., you have to find someone within your state. You can't legally take ant queens across state lines. Might I ask where you are located?

[pedroleite]

Yes, the ones I'm looking at are all dirt species. I'm located in College Station, Texas, and my site is South Texas.

[nurbs]

Yes, the ones I'm looking at are all dirt species. I'm located in College Station, Texas, and my site is South Texas.

 

 

College Station, Texas! Got my masters there. And yes, a terrarium will work for those Pogonomyrmex, but it will need to have some depth. A few inches won't cut it.

[T.C.]

Yes, the ones I'm looking at are all dirt species. I'm located in College Station, Texas, and my site is South Texas.

 
 
College Station, Texas! Got my masters there. And yes, a terrarium will work for those Pogonomyrmex, but it will need to have some depth. A few inches won't cut it.

Haha, that's where the member Kellakk, is now. What coincidence. You can send him a message.

http://www.formicult...er/181-kellakk/

[pedroleite]

Cool, lots of Aggies here! What was the topic of your masters? I'll definitely get in touch with Kellakk, thank you for the suggestion.

I was thinking of using large buckets (5 gallon or larget filled with soil from the study site). That would limit visualization of the tunnels, which sucks, but might be easier for carring arround since thinking about doing some x-ray immaging of the 3D structure of the tunnels.

 

 

 

Yes, the ones I'm looking at are all dirt species. I'm located in College Station, Texas, and my site is South Texas.

 
 
College Station, Texas! Got my masters there. And yes, a terrarium will work for those Pogonomyrmex, but it will need to have some depth. A few inches won't cut it.

Haha, that's where the member Kellakk, is now. What coincidence. You can send him a message.

http://www.formicult...er/181-kellakk/

 

[MegaMyrmex]

Welcome to the forum! Dirt setups that allow queens to dig is probably the best for almost all species. I would suggest using the classic ant farm setup- get two panes of acrylic or glass, attach them together, and leave about 1 to 2 cm of space in between and fill the space with the substrate.

[pedroleite]

Welcome to the forum! Dirt setups that allow queens to dig is probably the best for almost all species. I would suggest using the classic ant farm setup- get two panes of acrylic or glass, attach them together, and leave about 1 to 2 cm of space in between and fill the space with the substrate.

Thank you, I appreciate the suggestion.