14 replies to this topic

[FSTP]

 

This video showcases a behavior I've not seen before and was discovered completely by accident. I was giving my feeder insects some fresh food (broccoli) and I accidently dropped a piece of broccoli into the top of one of my larger Pogonomyrmex californicus colonies and being in a hurry I just left it in there. When I came back later to clean it up I noticed that they had completely processed the piece of broccoli and brought it into the nest. So I decided to try and deliberately give them a piece of broccoli so that I could film it.  The piece I gave them this time was much larger than the first piece I accidently dropped in there. I think because of this an even more interesting behavior emerged. It seems only a small group of 5-10 workers would scale the floret of broccoli and then they would cut and snip pieces off and drop it down to the other workers who would then find what they deemed to be choice pieces to bring into the nest. Eventually about 85% of the floret was processed and brought into the nest, leaving only the large fibrous stem . For those wondering, yes they did in fact eat the broccoli as I was able to observe larvae with green broccoli filled bellies.

Edited by FSTP, March 23 2020 - 4:50 AM.

[justanotheramy]

That's fantastic. Thanks for sharing!

[AntsDakota]

New food source located........ I wonder if other genera besides Pogonomyrmex would eat this, or if it’s just for seed harvesters.

[anttics]

I would be worried to use broccoli. Lots of pesticides used in it. You will need to boil it. Then give it to them.

[FSTP]

I would be worried to use broccoli. Lots of pesticides used in it. You will need to boil it. Then give it to them.

 

 

Its "organic", or at least that's what the package states. Also I've never been worried or concerned with residual pesticides harming my ants. If you ever have been in a packing house the prepackaged ready to use veg goes through, it is a fairly thorough washing, cleaning and sorting process. By the time I get it and wash it yet again I'm not worried about any infinitesimally small amount of pesticides that may or may not already have denatured by the time my ants see it.   I live in an agricultural area and I routinely see massive native ant colonies right in the middle of fields that are routinely sprayed with an assortment of pesticides. Would I give my ants a piece of veg straight from the field? Probably not. But personally I don't see any real reason to worry here. Also this video was filmed several weeks ago and I've not seen any ill side effect. 

Edited by FSTP, March 23 2020 - 1:38 PM.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

This is one of the most satisfying videos ever. I am proud of knowledge gained and the video's satisfying aspect

[FSTP]

This is one of the most satisfying videos ever. I am proud of knowledge gained and the video's satisfying aspect

Cool! thanks. It is really fun watching them snip the little pieces of broccoli off. They're so determined to get it off. 

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

yeah

[TheAntGuy]

Now I really want to get a P. Cali colony started to try this lol. Only need to wait a couple months until flights.

[ponerinecat]

Just a warning, organic crops can still use pesticides.

[FSTP]

Just a warning, organic crops can still use pesticides.

Yes that's true. Which is why I still wash them, despite them being prepackaged "ready to eat/use" veg. The "organic" pesticides typically have a shorter half life. A lot of them being soap based they're easier to wash away. One of the reasons "organic" produce can be more expensive is the higher cost associated with growing sizable crops. since the application intervals are shorter.

Edited by FSTP, March 27 2020 - 9:26 AM.

[OhNoNotAgain]

I was thinking of trying this but got scared by the organic pesticide thing. (That and my Pogonomyrmex calis are not doing really well right now.)

I would love to see the video include more of the processing and the green-bellied larvae included!

Edited by OhNoNotAgain, March 27 2020 - 6:26 PM.

[justanotheramy]

If you have one nearby (and it's still running), Farmers' Markets are great because you can ask the growers what they use.
I buy a lot of my veg from a market gardener (is that also a US term?) who is not certified organic but is mostly pesticide-free — for broccoli the organic controls they use are beneficial bugs that they pay for, so they're *definitely* not spraying!

[FSTP]

(my Pogonomyrmex calis are not doing really well right now.)

 

 

What's wrong with them?

[AntsDakota]

This would be a good sources of both protein and carbohydrates, adding variety to a colony's diet. I may just try it.