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Does a Winter Ant have a similar nest structure as a Lasius nest?

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#1 Offline Ant Love - Posted April 6 2017 - 3:25 PM

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I am into winter ants and I wanted to know if they had a similar nest structure as a Lasius nest. AC says that winter ants have a similar nest structure as Lasius but I want other options. Any other info on winter ant would help a lot! So just flood me with info😃.

#2 Offline Kevin - Posted April 6 2017 - 3:32 PM

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I believe they are in the same subgenus family, and they are very similar. The answer would be similar but they have differences for sure, I've noticed P. imparis mounds more frequent for one nest, spread apart, and larger rather than lasius's few small and tall entrances.


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#3 Offline Ant Love - Posted April 6 2017 - 3:37 PM

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So let's say that i was going to buy an AC Lasius nest for my winter ants because I'm to lazy it make one. Would that be appropriate. Or should I settle on a different option?

#4 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted April 6 2017 - 3:50 PM

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The genus Prenolepis is closely related to the genus Lasius, so I wouldn't be surprised if they had very similar nest structure. But that gets you thinking, are they more specialized due to their "repletes?"

 

I wouldn't get anything from Antscandas anyways, though. (they are uneccesarily expensive and overall don't have great quality, I speak from personal experience). I'd suggest a TarHeelAnts formicarium, but a test tube is always the go-to option for founding/young colonies.


Edited by Nathant2131, April 6 2017 - 3:52 PM.

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#5 Offline drtrmiller - Posted April 6 2017 - 3:57 PM

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No, Lasius are more thermophilic, so their nests are designed with a greater abundance of chambers and tunnels towards the surface in order to soak in heat from the sun. Lasius development and foraging is during the warmer months, whereas Prenolepis development and foraging is during the coolest months. As such, the most-utilized Prenolepis chambers are generally very deep (1-3 meters), as those ants need cooler, more stable temperatures for optimal development.

A quick Google image search for aluminum cast nests along with the species you're interested in will reveal more visual detail.

Most any well-made formicarium will work for Prenolepis, so long as it is kept in an air-conditioned room. They apparently prefer higher humidity levels, so a sealed formicarium may be a better option than 3D-printed or acrylic.

Edited by drtrmiller, April 6 2017 - 4:14 PM.

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#6 Offline Serafine - Posted April 6 2017 - 4:05 PM

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I'm pretty sure you can keep them in any nest that isn't too big or too dry. Just don't try to heat them.


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#7 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted April 6 2017 - 4:23 PM

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Mmm, these tend to do better in high sixties but this species hasn't been kept much from my understanding.



#8 Offline Ant Love - Posted April 6 2017 - 5:11 PM

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Thanks For all the help! If any of u out there have winter ants please feel free to give personal tips or pic

#9 Offline Kevin - Posted April 6 2017 - 5:41 PM

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I also couldn't agree more about the AC Hybrid, there are much better options out there. In my opinion, THA nests don't offer excellent hydration and humidity and I wouldn't keep this species in that formicarium. I would recommend a 3D printed nest with a grouted or plaster bottom, similar to the series I am developing. You can contact me to try a prototype for a discount and get a discount on the final version as an upgrade.


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#10 Offline Ant Love - Posted April 8 2017 - 1:52 PM

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How would I hibernate them during the summer?

#11 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted April 8 2017 - 1:56 PM

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How would I hibernate them during the summer?

Some people have done fine without specific conditions in the summer; but some people put them in the fridge for summer i believe. P. imparis are not kept often so some experimenting won't hurt.


Edited by Nathant2131, April 8 2017 - 2:08 PM.


#12 Offline Ant Love - Posted April 8 2017 - 6:49 PM

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Nathant2131 I thought that P. Imparis thrived in a cold environment, that's why their called Winter ants. But I get what ur saying about keeping them in the fridge but I want a little time without having to constantly worrying about them. And I will do a bit of experimenting, I think that would be a good idea!

Edited by Ant Love, April 8 2017 - 7:11 PM.


#13 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted April 9 2017 - 5:09 AM

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Nathant2131 I thought that P. Imparis thrived in a cold environment, that's why their called Winter ants. But I get what ur saying about keeping them in the fridge but I want a little time without having to constantly worrying about them. And I will do a bit of experimenting, I think that would be a good idea!

Their cold tolerance is somewhat overrated just becuase they are usually the first ant of the year to forage and fly. In truth, they actually haven't even reached Northern New Hampshire or Maine where it is pretty cold. They seem to do best in mid to high sixties farenheight in captivity.



#14 Offline Ant Love - Posted April 9 2017 - 7:57 AM

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Nathant2131 I thought that P. Imparis thrived in a cold environment, that's why their called Winter ants. But I get what ur saying about keeping them in the fridge but I want a little time without having to constantly worrying about them. And I will do a bit of experimenting, I think that would be a good idea!

Their cold tolerance is somewhat overrated just becuase they are usually the first ant of the year to forage and fly. In truth, they actually haven't even reached Northern New Hampshire or Maine where it is pretty cold. They seem to do best in mid to high sixties farenheight in captivity.
I'll keep that in mind
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#15 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted April 9 2017 - 10:10 AM

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Nathant2131 I thought that P. Imparis thrived in a cold environment, that's why their called Winter ants. But I get what ur saying about keeping them in the fridge but I want a little time without having to constantly worrying about them. And I will do a bit of experimenting, I think that would be a good idea!

Their cold tolerance is somewhat overrated just becuase they are usually the first ant of the year to forage and fly. In truth, they actually haven't even reached Northern New Hampshire or Maine where it is pretty cold. They seem to do best in mid to high sixties farenheight in captivity.

 

 

We actually do have them in Maine. True, preferring cooler temperatures does not make one cold resistant. Prenolepis imparis can only survive in climates without harsh winters. Our heat-loving Camponotus are much hardier in cold temperatures.


Edited by Batspiderfish, April 9 2017 - 10:10 AM.

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Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

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#16 Offline Ant Love - Posted April 10 2017 - 3:49 PM

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Nathant2131 I thought that P. Imparis thrived in a cold environment, that's why their called Winter ants. But I get what ur saying about keeping them in the fridge but I want a little time without having to constantly worrying about them. And I will do a bit of experimenting, I think that would be a good idea!

Their cold tolerance is somewhat overrated just becuase they are usually the first ant of the year to forage and fly. In truth, they actually haven't even reached Northern New Hampshire or Maine where it is pretty cold. They seem to do best in mid to high sixties farenheight in captivity.


We actually do have them in Maine. True, preferring cooler temperatures does not make one cold resistant. Prenolepis imparis can only survive in climates without harsh winters. Our heat-loving Camponotus are much hardier in cold temperatures.
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Edited by Ant Love, April 10 2017 - 3:50 PM.


#17 Offline Ant Love - Posted April 14 2017 - 8:24 PM

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When do u guys think is the best time to catch P. Imparis? I heard Feb, March, and April....Is that true?

#18 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted April 15 2017 - 5:31 AM

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When do u guys think is the best time to catch P. Imparis? I heard Feb, March, and April....Is that true?


That's true. In the east, April is when their primary flights happen. I caught 8 queens during a flight last Tuesday. Also, lots of P. imparis journals as of late, I suggest reading them.
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#19 Offline Spamdy - Posted April 15 2017 - 7:38 AM

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When do u guys think is the best time to catch P. Imparis? I heard Feb, March, and April....Is that true?

Haven't caught any yet down here...

That's true. In the east, April is when their primary flights happen. I caught 8 queens during a flight last Tuesday. Also, lots of P. imparis journals as of late, I suggest reading them.

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