16 replies to this topic

[FSTP]

I think we can all figure out what are some of the most popular ants just by looking at the most active journals. However what are the least popular ants to collect an keep? I have a feeling for some members Dorymyrmex spp. might be on the list.

 

For me I find these couple of species undesirable and have no interest in keeping them; Linepithema humile, Solenopsis invicta, Solenopsis geminata, Brachymyrmex patagonicus (these are so tiny and annoying)

 

Those are mine for now, I'd like to see what people come up with based on their different locations.

 

 

[Canadian anter]

I don't particularly like Myrmica rubra, they're like Solenopsis but with more painful stings (in my opinion) and are polygynous. Always will find a few queens to feed to my other colonies. Seem to be popular though which is why I often have a few colonies on sale for cheap

[Enderz]

I believe Dorymyrmex bicolor does not deserve slander like this . But, I would agree in saying species such as D. insanus are definitely not on any antkeeper's favorite list .  

As for the ant I think is the worse would be the damn millions of S. xyloni which always come up in places like Trabucco Canyon. 

[FSTP]

I believe Dorymyrmex bicolor does not deserve slander like this . But, I would agree in saying species such as D. insanus are definitely not on any antkeeper's favorite list .  

As for the ant I think is the worse would be the damn millions of S. xyloni which always come up in places like Trabucco Canyon. 

 

Aww really? But Solenopsis xyloni are like cute little Pogonomyrmex spp.

Edited by FSTP, December 23 2018 - 12:05 PM.

[Major]

Invicta is kept by tons, but not many say so.

[Rstheant]

I love S. Xyloni. They eat pretty much anything, and are not picky, and hard too keep like other ant species. They also grow FAST! My 200+ colony, is only, like, 6 months or less old!
* not too hard.... oops, typo...

[Enderz]

I love S. Xyloni. They eat pretty much anything, and are not picky, and hard too keep like other ant species. They also grow FAST! My 200+ colony, is only, like, 6 months or less old!
* not too hard.... oops, typo...

They are good to keep, but after a while there are just too many around during the big flights. This is all I was saying

[Nathant2131]

I barely see anyone keep any U.S. Nylanderia species (not sure about the species in other places in the world). Morphologically, they're basically a smaller Lasius.

[YsTheAnt]

Stenemma, Proceriatum (I apologize for spelling but I'm on my phone right now so bear with me), Solenopsis tennesesis, Solenopsis ambychilia don't seem to be kept by many, if anyone at all on this forum.

[dspdrew]

But, I would agree in saying species such as D. insanus are definitely not on any antkeeper's favorite list .

 

**Cough** nurbs.

[nurbs]

Don't hate on Dorymyrmex. Best species ever. The Embodiment of every Antkeeper's Wetdream.

 

 

But, I would agree in saying species such as D. insanus are definitely not on any antkeeper's favorite list .

 

**Cough** nurbs.

 

[venator]

Any species that are small and unagressive are boring. Slow growing species are boring. I like to keep aggressive murder machines

[Manitobant]

I would say forelius. I haven’t seen a lot of people with them and this is kind of a shame since they are fast growing and polygynous. Dolichoderus also seems to be a common one that very few people keep.

Edited by Manitobant, December 25 2018 - 6:09 PM.

[Vendayn]

Well, tbh I'd have thought more people would keep Pheidole megacephala. Invasive or not. Maybe they are too rare for most people, since most are in continental north america on this forum. And they aren't widespread at all. Really only Hawaii and Florida have them. But even outside the continental americas...there isn't very many people who keep them.

 

I dug up part of the colony here some time back. And my experience with them: If they were humans, they'd be weed smoking hippies going "totally rad dude, its all cool bro". That 100% sums up their attitude and behavior.

 

I could actually blow on them, bump into their container (was an accident) and do all kinds of stuff and they never were bothered at all. They never even tried escaping ever, though probably cause they are semi-subterranean. Easiest ants I ever had, up until I put them in the freezer since I thought I was moving but never did.

Edited by Vendayn, December 25 2018 - 10:52 PM.

[ponerinecat]

Stenemma, Proceriatum (I apologize for spelling but I'm on my phone right now so bear with me), Solenopsis tennesesis, Solenopsis ambychilia don't seem to be kept by many, if anyone at all on this forum.

 

That's because you almost never find them. Most of these are on my list of favorite species.

Any species that are small and unagressive are boring. Slow growing species are boring. I like to keep aggressive murder machines

I'm fine with small, unaggressive ants or ants that are slow growing as long as their behavior is actually worth studying. 

[Manitobant]

Any species that are small and unagressive are boring. Slow growing species are boring. I like to keep aggressive murder machines

then you’ll love the solenopsis xyloni mentioned earlier on this thread.

[ANTdrew]

Tapinoma sessile annoy me only in so far as they eat every dang crumb on my kitchen floors and counters, but the ones I raised from a founding queen wouldn’t touch a damn thing. I let them go in my yard once I despaired of meeting their needs. I could go outside right now and scoop up whole colonies with several queens, but I doubt they’d thrive. I just enjoy this odd ant from afar.