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Have exotic ants been spread by ant-keeping?

Started By MinigunL5 , Oct 29 2020 5:31 AM

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#1 Offline MinigunL5 - Posted October 29 2020 - 5:31 AM

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Has anyone who was keeping a species that is not native to their area(and also not established there; for example, someone having their invicta escape in Southern US does not count), had them escape and survive in the wild? Even if they didn't breed(which most ants wouldn't unless they inbreed).


Edited by MinigunL5, October 29 2020 - 5:33 AM.

#2 Offline Devi - Posted October 29 2020 - 6:37 AM

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Has anyone who was keeping a species that is not native to their area(and also not established there; for example, someone having their invicta escape in Southern US does not count), had them escape and survive in the wild? Even if they didn't breed(which most ants wouldn't unless they inbreed).

I am proud to say that none of my ants have never escaped. :)  Then again, they are all small colonies and I haven't ever kept crematogaster.  :whistle:


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#3 Offline Spazmops - Posted October 29 2020 - 6:47 AM

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Has anyone who was keeping a species that is not native to their area(and also not established there; for example, someone having their invicta escape in Southern US does not count), had them escape and survive in the wild? Even if they didn't breed(which most ants wouldn't unless they inbreed).

I am proud to say that none of my ants have never escaped. :)  Then again, they are all small colonies and I haven't ever kept crematogaster.  :whistle:

 

None of yours are invasive though, right?


Co-owner and founder of Mountain Myrmeculture and The Menagerie Discord Server. 

Ants I have:

1 Formica fusca group- 0 workers

1 Tetramorium immigrans colony-20 workers

1 Dorymyrmex insanus- 1 queen, used to have workers

 

1 large P. occidentalis colony- around 50 workers, plenty of brood

 

 

#4 Offline AntsDakota - Posted October 29 2020 - 6:48 AM

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The only colony I've had the queen escape was a Camponotus pennsylvanicus colony, although yes they are native. The only invasives I could legally obtain are Tetramorium immigrans and tsushimae, and I don't see either of them escaping most anyone.


Edited by AntsDakota, October 29 2020 - 6:55 AM.

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#5 Offline Devi - Posted October 29 2020 - 6:51 AM

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Has anyone who was keeping a species that is not native to their area(and also not established there; for example, someone having their invicta escape in Southern US does not count), had them escape and survive in the wild? Even if they didn't breed(which most ants wouldn't unless they inbreed).

I am proud to say that none of my ants have never escaped. :)  Then again, they are all small colonies and I haven't ever kept crematogaster.  :whistle:

 

None of yours are invasive though, right?

 

Technically, tetramorium immigrans is invasive sooo...  :X  Other than that, no. Lol


#6 Offline Manitobant - Posted October 29 2020 - 7:23 AM

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No exotic ants have been spread to new locations by antkeepers. The laws are simply a precaution in case something does happen.
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My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#7 Offline MinigunL5 - Posted October 29 2020 - 7:53 AM

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No exotic ants have been spread to new locations by antkeepers. The laws are simply a precaution in case something does happen.

Most exotics wouldn't even be a danger to the environment tho. They would just died out unless they inbreed.


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#8 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted October 29 2020 - 7:57 AM

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No exotic ants have been spread to new locations by antkeepers. The laws are simply a precaution in case something does happen.

Most exotics wouldn't even be a danger to the environment tho. They would just died out unless they inbreed.

 

well up here they would not, as we have winter. but in california, for example, about any ant, native or exotic could flourish and hurt the environment.


Edited by Ants_Dakota, October 29 2020 - 7:58 AM.

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

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Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

#9 Offline Antkeeper01 - Posted October 29 2020 - 12:36 PM

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here they wolud last for a few months then  :cold:  :cold:  :cold:  :cold:  :cold:  :cold:  :cold:  :cold: they would die assuming they can't stand the cold.


Edited by Antkeeper01, October 29 2020 - 12:37 PM.

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1X Pogonomyrmex occidentalis 40-50 Workers

1X Solenopsis molesta 10 Workers (mono)

Ants I Want: Crematogaster sp, Camponotus Sp., Ponera Pennsylvanica, Mymercocystus sp.

 

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#10 Offline Vendayn - Posted October 29 2020 - 12:56 PM

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Antscanada released Pharaoh ants, which aren't native where he lives and he filmed it. He also admitted to releasing other invasive ants as well. So its safe to say, yes.


Edited by Vendayn, October 29 2020 - 12:56 PM.

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#11 Offline ZTYguy - Posted October 29 2020 - 1:10 PM

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most exotic ants would probably die in summer and winter down here.


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#12 Offline Manitobant - Posted October 29 2020 - 2:08 PM

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Guys lets not get into another native vs exotic debate and trash the thread. I have the feeling one may start
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My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#13 Offline Spazmops - Posted October 29 2020 - 8:37 PM

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Personally I’ve released 2 T. immigrans colonies in my yard, but where I live they’ve been here for years and get stomped on by the common, large species we have like P. occidentalis.
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Co-owner and founder of Mountain Myrmeculture and The Menagerie Discord Server. 

Ants I have:

1 Formica fusca group- 0 workers

1 Tetramorium immigrans colony-20 workers

1 Dorymyrmex insanus- 1 queen, used to have workers

 

1 large P. occidentalis colony- around 50 workers, plenty of brood

 

 

#14 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted October 30 2020 - 5:11 AM

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Personally I’ve released 2 T. immigrans colonies in my yard, but where I live they’ve been here for years and get stomped on by the common, large species we have like P. occidentalis.

lucky! i wish that happened here!


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

#15 Offline AntsDakota - Posted October 30 2020 - 5:11 AM

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Personally I’ve released 2 T. immigrans colonies in my yard, but where I live they’ve been here for years and get stomped on by the common, large species we have like P. occidentalis.

Here Lasius and Formica effectively keep Tetramorium in check. There are only specific areas where they can even get a foothold.


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"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#16 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted October 30 2020 - 5:13 AM

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Personally I’ve released 2 T. immigrans colonies in my yard, but where I live they’ve been here for years and get stomped on by the common, large species we have like P. occidentalis.

Here Lasius and Formica effectively keep Tetramorium in check. There are only specific areas where they can even get a foothold.

 

well, not in my yard. tetramorium have killed all of my lasius colonies


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

#17 Offline AntsDakota - Posted October 30 2020 - 6:47 AM

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Personally I’ve released 2 T. immigrans colonies in my yard, but where I live they’ve been here for years and get stomped on by the common, large species we have like P. occidentalis.

Here Lasius and Formica effectively keep Tetramorium in check. There are only specific areas where they can even get a foothold.

 

well, not in my yard. tetramorium have killed all of my lasius colonies

 

But Lasius are still common. In many areas across the country, Tetramorium completely wipe out most populations of native species, and are absolutely everywhere.
 


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"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#18 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted October 30 2020 - 6:47 AM

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Personally I’ve released 2 T. immigrans colonies in my yard, but where I live they’ve been here for years and get stomped on by the common, large species we have like P. occidentalis.

Here Lasius and Formica effectively keep Tetramorium in check. There are only specific areas where they can even get a foothold.

 

well, not in my yard. tetramorium have killed all of my lasius colonies

 

But Lasius are still common. In many areas across the country, Tetramorium completely wipe out most populations of native species, and are absolutely everywhere.
 

 

ok. i guess that is true. maybe we are better off than other places.


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

#19 Offline AntsDakota - Posted October 30 2020 - 6:54 AM

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Personally I’ve released 2 T. immigrans colonies in my yard, but where I live they’ve been here for years and get stomped on by the common, large species we have like P. occidentalis.

Here Lasius and Formica effectively keep Tetramorium in check. There are only specific areas where they can even get a foothold.

 

well, not in my yard. tetramorium have killed all of my lasius colonies

 

But Lasius are still common. In many areas across the country, Tetramorium completely wipe out most populations of native species, and are absolutely everywhere.
 

 

ok. i guess that is true. maybe we are better off than other places.

 

Much better, actually.


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"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#20 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted October 30 2020 - 6:55 AM

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ok, that is good. at least we don't have to lament that all there is around is tetraorium and parasitic lasius!!!


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

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