Ok, let's be rational a break this down. Colonies of most species release alates "en masse" in large quantities (This occurs during the ant's nuptial flight.). At the end of this massive event, most of these newly gravid queens meet their ends in a whole variety of morbid and grotesque ways (endoparasites, exoparasites, bacterial infection, contamination via mold and other fungi, drowning, dehydration, being cannibalized upon as well as being fed on by a wide variety of different organisms, which aids in supporting the health of native fauna.). To say that "some" of these queens die during these events is a gross understatement. It has been noted before that roughly only 1 out of every 100 newly mated queens makes it past the first 2 years of colony founding. By collecting queens, we are not damaging the local ecology as some might think. Collecting a colony on the other hand is a bit more destructive, as it removes a reproductively active "individual" (ei, the colony or "super organism") from passing along its own genes and from keeping other ants and invertebrates in check, disturbing the local flora and fauna. However, by practicing responsible collection habits, most of this kind of damage can be avoided altogether. By repairing structures and the surrounding environments after excavation is complete and by only taking small collecting samples from one area before moving along to the next, you can insure the continuation of a healthy ecosystem in one area or several with few major consequences resulting from this.
1 out of 100. Let's just hope we didn't take that single one that could have survived. Either way, I doubt the ants asked us to take them into captivity, and the phrase, "Let nature take its course" comes to my mind. This topic is not about convincing people not to collect ants, but to change the way people think about themselves and not try to manipulate others and justify their own actions for their own amusement, and to simply just own it. Don't be a "robin hood," stealing from the rich to give to the poor. It just doesn't fly. Let's just say your queen is William Wallace in "Braveheart."
Edited by Tagassi, April 29 2017 - 10:56 PM.