8 replies to this topic

[AntsMaryland]

Hi, I am considering making a 65 gallon tank with plants and everything for an ant colony. What organisms should I add into the terrarium before the ants? Also, I am getting a tetramorium colony and a pheidole colony (this pheidole species is not polygenus). I want to have this terrarium house a species of ant that will get to a large size and last a long time (7 years at least). What species of ant would you recommend for this kind of set up. I want a species that will grow into very large numbers and move them into this set up at about 500 workers. What do you suggest? Thanks!

[FeedTheAnts]

Formica make very good natural nest ants, and their colonies get large and live a long time.

[AntsMaryland]

When and where do formica fly?

[FeedTheAnts]

I'm pretty sure they are still flying, at least in TN. I caught a few queens in the last 2 months or so, so I'm sure they are still flying. I usually find them in slightly wooded areas crawling on the ground, but they can also be found in pools.

[AntsMaryland]

are they polygenus or polymorphic

Do you know any pheidole colonies that are polygnous In Maryland?

[Salmon]

I've seen large multi- queened colonies in two different species of Formica. Worker size can vary a lot, but I wouldn't really call them polymorphic (they all have the same proportions more or less, there's no majors with big heads or anything.)

[FeedTheAnts]

Some can be Polygynous. no, they are not polymorphic.

 

Pheidole dentata are polygynous, not sure if they are in Maryland though, I don't know much about Pheidole...

[AntsMaryland]

ok

[Lou9x9]

Formica fly all the time. They start flying a little late in the season but when they do they're everywhere.