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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2014 17:54:30 GMT
My Messor barbarus colony gather up all the seeds I provide them with within a few hours and store them in the nest. I'm unsure as to whether or not I should provide them with a constant stream of seeds even though they already have more than they can eat stored away in the nest. There are always foragers in the foraging arena so I assume they'e going in search of more food. Is it possible to give Messors too much food, especially as there's little risk of seeds going mouldy in dry conditions?
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Post by Wood~Ant on Mar 8, 2014 20:01:11 GMT
Messor do tend to stockpile their granary with a lot of seeds. I find the seeds never seem to have a mould or fungi problem as a rule, which makes me think the ants must lick them with their antibacterial saliva just as they would the brood. Any seeds left where it gets very damp can grow a blue mould, but these are always found on the surface of the soil and placed on the midden.
The same goes for any dead decaying insects that grow fungus or mould on them, as they are always removed to the midden too.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2014 22:45:27 GMT
Thanks for the reply. I'm still unsure as to whether or not you suggest always having a supply of seeds for them to forage....
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Post by Wood~Ant on Mar 9, 2014 0:12:56 GMT
Thanks for the reply. I'm still unsure as to whether or not you suggest always having a supply of seeds for them to forage.... I always keep the seed pot topped up with fresh seed added once a week. I use a plastic pot with a lid on it, and the lid has a hole big enough for most caste of worker ants to enter and carry out the seeds. When you remove the lid to top up with fresh seed, throw the old seed away as it is stale and the workers often place soil in the pot, so clean it with a soft dry tissue or kitchen paper towel. |
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