12 replies to this topic

[M_Ants]

I've got a colony of V. pergandei. that is doing really well. However, I haven't been able to enjoy them very much because I've been keeping them in a drawer so they aren't stressed out. At what point should I expose them to light? Mini hearths are open to light. In Miles' formicarium seminar thing on youtube he talks very positively about keeping ants in the light and says they adapt to it. Should I wait till they are in a less exposed formicarium? Thanks.

 

Edited by M_Ants, August 10 2020 - 5:12 PM.

[Croux]

I think stress related to light is abated quite a bit by colony size. And as you've read, by them being used to it. However, during founding, I wouldn't bug them much with light.

You could wrap the tube in red acetate so you could fool them? At least while you keep them in the tube and you wish to view them regularly.

[Froggy]

I put my Brachymyrmex in a tubs and tubes setup and put a sheet of tin foil on their tube so not as much light gets in, I can lift up the tin foil whenever I want to view them

[AntsDakota]

I've noticed that Myrmicinaes are much less sensitive to light than Formicinaes (in general, with exceptions). My Camponotus and Formica absolutely hate light, while my Myrmica, Aphaenogaster, and Solenopsis molesta don't mind it. However, an exception to this would be Pogonomyrmex, who hate light more than the Formica and Camponotus combined. 

[ponerinecat]

Most ants can be acclimated to light filled conditions. it just takes time and may take a toll on the colony, especially in the very sensitive species.

[ANTdrew]

I've noticed that Myrmicinaes are much less sensitive to light than Formicinaes (in general, with exceptions). My Camponotus and Formica absolutely hate light, while my Myrmica, Aphaenogaster, and Solenopsis molesta don't mind it. However, an exception to this would be Pogonomyrmex, who hate light more than the Formica and Camponotus combined.

This is true. I realized this summer that I’m mostly a Myrmicine person.

[M_Ants]

Made poll on what I should do.

Edited by M_Ants, August 10 2020 - 5:13 PM.

[M_Ants]

deleted

Edited by M_Ants, August 10 2020 - 5:13 PM.

[ConcordAntman]

I’d suggest the foil tube covering. Move it to check the foundlings  it keep it in place to let them chill out. From your picture you’ve got enough workers to be a bit more liberal with your light exposure. Still I’d moderate light exposure for the benefit of the colony. I’ve got a 3 year old C. americanus colony that’s still light sensitive. 

[NickAnter]

I've noticed that Myrmicinaes are much less sensitive to light than Formicinaes (in general, with exceptions). My Camponotus and Formica absolutely hate light, while my Myrmica, Aphaenogaster, and Solenopsis molesta don't mind it. However, an exception to this would be Pogonomyrmex, who hate light more than the Formica and Camponotus combined.

This is true. I realized this summer that I’m mostly a Myrmicine person.

I seem to have limitied success with Myrmecines. Anyway, I have found Lasius to not really care about light at all, and large Nylanderia colonies like mine are acclimated to it.

[ANTdrew]

I’d suggest the foil tube covering. Move it to check the foundlings it keep it in place to let them chill out. From your picture you’ve got enough workers to be a bit more liberal with your light exposure. Still I’d moderate light exposure for the benefit of the colony. I’ve got a 3 year old C. americanus colony that’s still light sensitive.

This is the third option that’s not in your poll, and it’s the best route, imo. Keeping everything dark isn’t a good idea because then you’ll freak out the colony every time you feed or care for them. Just make the tube dark with tin foil.
Edit: a drawer is not good either because you’re causing a mini-earthquake everytime you open it, which will stress the ants more.

Edited by ANTdrew, August 11 2020 - 10:43 AM.

[M_Ants]

 

I’d suggest the foil tube covering. Move it to check the foundlings it keep it in place to let them chill out. From your picture you’ve got enough workers to be a bit more liberal with your light exposure. Still I’d moderate light exposure for the benefit of the colony. I’ve got a 3 year old C. americanus colony that’s still light sensitive.

This is the third option that’s not in your poll, and it’s the best route, imo. Keeping everything dark isn’t a good idea because then you’ll freak out the colony every time you feed or care for them. Just make the tube dark with tin foil.
Edit: a drawer is not good either because you’re causing a mini-earthquake everytime you open it, which will stress the ants more.

 

Thanks. I think I'm going to go this route. Thought about it a while back and totally forgot it was an option.

[BlueLance213]

I've actually kept all of my queens that I find out in the open, they get dim natural light that makes it through my blinds and the light in my room is very dull as well, maybe 25W, but so far none of them seem to have complained or had problems bar them being... well captured and stuffed into a test tube set up XD