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Post by Tebom on Apr 9, 2013 19:44:26 GMT
Hello Ant lovers,
This is my first post. I have no ants as of yet. But after many many years of wanting to keep ants I have finally made the plunge and bought my very own formicarium. I am a complete novice but I'm hoping my enthusiasm will lead me in the right direction. After reading up on suitable colonies for novices I have come down to either Camponotus ligniperdus or Lasius niger. My preference would be for Camponotus but from what I have read that, despite being classed as easy for beginners, they are a little tricky for a beginner. Ant journals seem to be littered with disaster stories.
I'd really appreciate people's opinions on whether compotonus would be suitable.
Tom
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Post by Jenny on Apr 9, 2013 20:16:09 GMT
Hi tebom, welcome to this forum on your first post  As with most colonies it is trial and error, nigers are the preferred beginners choice. This is because they are resiliant, adapt to most situations and tolerent of low heat being native to the UK. We have kept C.lignipurdas a couple of times now with bad results, yet the C.nicobarensis colony are doing great but they are fast and are great escapees. So whether you are a novice or more experienced don't rule out certain species, give it a go  Camps do like space , so take this into account with certain species. |
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Post by Wood~Ant on Apr 9, 2013 21:23:37 GMT
Hi Tom and welcome to the Ant Hill.
I have kept C. ligniperda 3 times now, and each time the colony failed after a few months. Lasius and Formica species tend to be easier to keep for a long time, as are some of the Myrmicines such as Myrmica sabuleti.
Enjoy the forum as you will learn more on your visits here from members with long term experience of ant keeping.
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Post by Tebom on Apr 9, 2013 22:06:00 GMT
Thanks for your posts guys. Very glad I stumbled across this site. Looks like I have a lot to learn. I'll keep reading. |
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Post by Asiletto on Apr 9, 2013 22:23:14 GMT
Camponotus ligniperda are very big and nice ants, but they require hibernation and suffer high temperatures (at least with my previous experience). But the main problem is that they are very, very slow to grow.
I think Lasius niger or another similar Lasius species (I have Lasius emarginatus which have a beautiful red thorax) is definitely easier to rear.
Staying on big Camponotus I'd like to rear a colony of Camponotus vagus sooner or later, I've read they grow much quicker and they should swarm in this period.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Apr 9, 2013 22:37:33 GMT
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Post by Tebom on Apr 10, 2013 16:27:38 GMT
Thanks for the tip asiletto, I've begun looking into Lasius emarginatus. A very good looking ant I think I might try them as a second colony if my first one goes OK. I've decided to dive in and have bought a Lasius niger queen with 5 workers. All going well they should be here by the weekend. Fingers crossed they all survive the trip!! Wood~ant... I had a read through your Camponotus journal. Very impressive!! Consider me jealous. Would love to have such an amazing colony. |
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Post by UKantz on Apr 10, 2013 18:00:58 GMT
Just interested, are you going to start your own journal?
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Post by Tebom on Apr 10, 2013 18:19:26 GMT
Yeah I thought it might be useful and also good to look back on how far (or short) I'm come. I've never kept a journal of any kind before so this will be two firsts in one week |
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Post by Tebom on Apr 12, 2013 13:20:40 GMT
Just thought I'd give a quick update in case you were interested. I have just had a text from my flatmate and my ladies have arrived. Can't wait to finish work so I can head home and see them. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for no fatalities during transport. |
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Post by Jenny on Apr 12, 2013 14:04:26 GMT
Hi Tom, one thing about nigers, in the summer if you find brood under stones you can always boost your existing colony |
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Post by UKantz on Apr 12, 2013 15:07:35 GMT
If you do boost, be sure not to put any workers from a different colony with your queen, as the end result won't be good.  |
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Post by Tebom on Apr 12, 2013 15:08:41 GMT
Really?? I can just take the brood and my colony will adopt them not eat them?
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Post by Wood~Ant on Apr 12, 2013 15:16:04 GMT
Really?? I can just take the brood and my colony will adopt them not eat them? Wild brood yes, but not workers from a wild colony or any other for that matter. |
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Post by UKantz on Apr 12, 2013 15:16:51 GMT
There is a slight possibility that they may eat some of the brood, but mostly yes, they will adopt the brood and raise them as their own. I have boosted my Lasius Niger colonies many of time when in the summer months wild Lasius Niger colonies put all their brood (mainly pupae and larvae) under the paving slabs. However be sure to pick the right pupae as these are the months new queens will be emerging from pupae, so be sure to pick the smaller ones |
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