10 replies to this topic

[AntsDanijel]

By. Yesterday I find in my garden this queen. Just running on grass when I'm cut the grass. Picked up and can't believe it's a queen. No nuptial fly, maybe in the morning but it's a raining day in the morning. I put in tt. On Facebook told me is predator species. Today i will put some pupae in and 2-3 weak workers in to help. And then wait.

[AntsBC]

Good job on catching this queen!

 

I know in some parts of Europe, member species of the Formica rufa group are protected, (meaning you can't collect them); although I am unaware of what the rules are for that in Croatia. For now, I would just keep her unless you're further notified that it is illegal.

 

I can tell you have a decent idea on the founding of parasitic Formica. If at any time you need help or have any questions, I created a care sheet on raising them here.

 

I will be following this journal! best of luck to you as you try to rear a colony of these little gaphers!

[AntsDanijel]

Tnx. Have information Formica rufa is no longer on the list in Europa. In Croatia, I'm sure it's removed. I will do the best for this ant.

[Wa.Va]

It has a parasitic founding. U need brood or workers of a slave Formica spp. Like Formica fusca.

An option would be the fridge method. Witch catching 2 workers to start with. 15 min fridge and add them together. She is not really full claustra, so it is better to feed her a little.

[YsTheAnt]

Formica parasites can start a colony with brood alone

[AntsDanijel]

Have a problem. In garden have 5 anthills with fusca. I dig 40x40x40 cm in 15:00 and no eggs no pupae nothing only million of the worker. Where are pupae? When dig? I feed her with honey, need put some protein in TT or wait for pupae and slave worker?

[JenC]

The ants probably keep the unborn deeper in the ground.

[YsTheAnt]

Formica do not keep brood over winter. The brood from this year may still be eggs and larvae, in which case they will be deeper where it is cool and moist.

Feed the parasitic queen sugar and protein twice a week, and check the mature nests after a few weeks. Once the brood matures into pupae, the ants will bring it higher up in the nest so that they stay warm and develop faster, which is when you can grab some.

[Lisberg]

When i went hunting for some F. Rufa broods, i found them at the top of the anthill, at noon (when it is warmest). About 10 cm from the top of the hill.. didn't destroy to much of the anthill

[AntsDanijel]

Have an idea for formicarium for this beest. Have a glass box l 200 x w 150 x h200mm. Want to put in ytong 100mm thickness carved only on 3 sides, one side no carved on the nest will carve little hole. Make grount the floor or put in sand and dirt? If I put in dirt can put some beautiful lichen in and small moos? Plants don't need too much water and dirt. Any suggestion?

[Wa.Va]

They are very keen on having a natural well ventilated pine habitat.