2 replies to this topic

[Temperateants]

Hi all, my kitchen had a small scale infestation of these bad boys:

https://en.wikipedia...rugstore_beetle

Anyways, my mom helped me catch the beetles and larvae, which I fed to my ants. My tetras basically obliterated them. The larvae looked plumper, more healthy. Unfortunately, my Camponotus dragged the larvae home and put it with their larvae, as if it was their own. Some of the larvae shriveled up, so I guess the ants are eating? I'm confused why my Camponotus didn't just tear them to shreds.

[AntsDakota]

They put it with their larvae so their larvae would eat it. Larvae are capable of feeding themselves.

[Temperateants]

On a separate note, I gave my Camponotus an uncut mealworm, and they basically threw it in the egg pile and when I got back the mealworm was gone with only a few small pieces of exoskeleton left. I guess the larvae are able to digest chitin, which is why most ants discard fruit fly wings but Camponotus can eat it.