10 replies to this topic

[070048285Xd]

How do you provide surgarwater to ants that lack a social stomach.

[123LordOfAnts123]

In most cases, carbohydrates are a relatively minor source of nutrition for ants that don’t engage in trophallaxis. You can provide it as you would for any other ant, but uptake is normally far less in comparison to say, Camponotus or Formica. Insects (and seeds depending on species) constitute the majority of such an ants’ diet. Nutrient distribution occurs in the form of worker laid trophic eggs, larval secretions, and food already within the nest.

[dermy]

How do you provide surgarwater to ants that lack a social stomach.

Can you tell us the species of ants that you have to determine if they 100% do not have a social stomach?

[Serafine]

Just provide them with things they can use to soak up liquids (little parts of sponge or paper pebbles). Usually they can carry a drop of liquids between their mandibles but they will happily use any materials that can hold additional liquids.

[TennesseeAnts]

Do Myrmica have a social stomach?

[AnthonyP163]

Aphaenogaster is a genus I know of without a social stomach. Simply provide them with a bit of soil to soak up honey/sugarwater, and they'll bring it back to the nest.

Edited by AnthonyP163, April 19 2018 - 3:16 AM.

[Canadian anter]

Aphaenogaster have very tiny social stomachs, but they do have them.

[Jerky93]

this is pretty interesting. I wonder what environmental factors would lead a species to evolve social stomachs or not.

[Canadian anter]

Aphaenogaster might have been overly reliant on myrmecochory. I do know that mine will create piles of sand with liquid in them.

[noebl1]

Aphaenogaster might have been overly reliant on myrmecochory. I do know that mine will create piles of sand with liquid in them.

 

I observed when my Aphaenogaster picea colony had the queen and a single nanitic, they would both feed on Sunburst nectar fairly routinely.  After awhile, they also started piling sand/coconut fiber on the nectar soaked cotton ball, and seemed to prefer protein the majority of the time. They don't seem to touch raw honey either. My Fall caught A. rudis haven't eclosed yet, curious if they follow the same pattern.

[T.C.]

Why did you post this in "Forum Support, Feedback & Suggestions?" Moved to General.