8 replies to this topic

[Mettcollsuss]

I currently have a small colony of Aphaenogaster rudis. I've been feeding them on honey, mealworms, and crickets. However, all the seeds I've tried giving them, they've rejected. Lately, they've been getting a little bored of their current foods. Does anyone here have A. rudis? If so, are there any seeds you've had success with? Please help!

Edited by Mettcollsuss, December 28 2017 - 11:56 AM.

[AkumaArtist]

I don't have them,but I find pretty usefull the parakeet or the canary food pretty succesfull with many species because it has a big variety of seeds on it.
still,you can try many types,maybe you can discover new seeds they like and nobody knew they did

[Mettcollsuss]

I don't have them,but I find pretty usefull the parakeet or the canary food pretty succesfull with many species because it has a big variety of seeds on it.
still,you can try many types,maybe you can discover new seeds they like and nobody knew they did

I will, but at the moment I'm more focused on something that they will definitely eat, since they're starting to ignore their current food sources.

[Batspiderfish]

Forest Aphaenogaster are much better suited to eat insects/sugars in captivity.

[AkumaArtist]

My Messor b. loved the parakeet ones

Also you could observate wild ants of the species you are keeping to see what they preffer or look it on internet 

[Diesel]

fruit flies are always a hit. check with your local pet store. they may even be able to order them for you. i have a local pet smart that has them. they told me they usually write them off because not many ppl buy them. i think i pay like7.50 for a vial of 100 that also has cultures to raise 4-5 generations.

[MegaMyrmex]

When you have a picky colony, use fruit flies or termites. I don't know any aphaenogaster, tetramorium, pogonomyrmex, camponotus, or others that won't eat termites or fruit flies.

[Mettcollsuss]

When you have a picky colony, use fruit flies or termites. I don't know any aphaenogaster, tetramorium, pogonomyrmex, camponotus, or others that won't eat termites or fruit flies.

It's not that they're picky, they're just getting a little bored of the foods I have available. But, yes, I will try those.

[rbarreto]

Don't know if this is still relevant or if you already know but I have been doing some research and found that Aphaenogaster only consume the elaiosome which is a fleshy protein and lipid rich structure that is attached to the seeds of mymecochorous plants (Bloodroot, primrose, trillium). They only forage for myrmecochorous seeds when food is hard to find.

Edited by rbarreto, May 9 2018 - 7:19 AM.