6 replies to this topic

[IcarusSkybound]

I have just recently found a fascination with ants after observing some wild Lasius Interjectus workers. I am mostly attracted to the size and color of the workers and would like to start my very first colony. I understand that L. Interjectus are a parasitic species and typically will take over colonies of L. Neoniger and other species, but is it possible to start a colony all on its own if I capture and introduce L. Interjectus workers or L. Neoniger workers to a newly captured a queen?

Does anybody have experience starting an L. Interjectus colony?

[Hunter]

i have had luck with lasius claviger- same difference, it is very hard to get one to work but i would take 5-10 host workers and put them in a seperate test tube then leave them in the fridge for 1-2 days and do the same with the parasite queen, then connect the test tubes after the come out, and then hope

[Hunter]

i have had luck with lasius claviger- same difference, it is very hard to get one to work but i would take 5-10 host workers and put them in a seperate test tube then leave them in the fridge for 1-2 days and do the same with the parasite queen, then connect the test tubes after the come out, and then hope

when they are conected the queen may kill a few- but if she starts to feel them and rub herself it may work

[Mettcollsuss]

Here: http://www.formicult...cial-parasites/

[IcarusSkybound]

 

i have had luck with lasius claviger- same difference, it is very hard to get one to work but i would take 5-10 host workers and put them in a seperate test tube then leave them in the fridge for 1-2 days and do the same with the parasite queen, then connect the test tubes after the come out, and then hope

when they are conected the queen may kill a few- but if she starts to feel them and rub herself it may work

 

Thanks! I think I could try that. I was actually thinking of trying to put some kind of mesh together and connecting the tubes and seeing how they react. I have heard that slowing them down with the fridge seems to help some. It's my understanding that L. Interjectus and L. Claviger are pretty similar (subterranean and aphid tending). Do you have aphids and a root network in your setup or have they adapted to other foods?

[IcarusSkybound]

Here: http://www.formicult...cial-parasites/

I actually read that post a few times over before making my own post, but there wasnt much information on *how* to start a colony. Most of the information on Acanthomyops stated it will be difficult, the queen will probably just suddenly die, or the queen would be reproductively unviable.

Edited by IcarusSkybound, December 12 2017 - 4:48 PM.

[Hunter]

 

 

i have had luck with lasius claviger- same difference, it is very hard to get one to work but i would take 5-10 host workers and put them in a seperate test tube then leave them in the fridge for 1-2 days and do the same with the parasite queen, then connect the test tubes after the come out, and then hope

when they are conected the queen may kill a few- but if she starts to feel them and rub herself it may work

 

Thanks! I think I could try that. I was actually thinking of trying to put some kind of mesh together and connecting the tubes and seeing how they react. I have heard that slowing them down with the fridge seems to help some. It's my understanding that L. Interjectus and L. Claviger are pretty similar (subterranean and aphid tending). Do you have aphids and a root network in your setup or have they adapted to other foods?

 

i have plants and a root setup but i just give them honey and plant nectar i steel from my honey bees