12 replies to this topic

[Manitobant]

For me the answer would be dolichoderus taschenbergi. They have huge colonies up to 75000 workers that can contain hundreds of queens. They also have massive foraging trails and are aggressive.

[Kaelwizard]

Dorymyrmex. They seem perfect to keep yet nobody seems to like them.

[Spazmops]

Dorymyrmex. They seem perfect to keep yet nobody seems to like them.

They're the stupidest ants I know of. My D. insanus colony voluntarily stayed in a test tube full of mold and refused to move into a minihearth, causing them to die. They were too small to dump as well, so I couldn't do anything about it.

[Aaron567]

Dorymyrmex. They seem perfect to keep yet nobody seems to like them.

 

Few people are successful with them in the long term, likely due to their sensitivity and pickiness in the early stages. They are also extremely abundant for many people. So, I think the combination of them being fairly difficult to rear but also very common makes them not worth many peoples' time. 

[BADANT]

Dorymyrmex. They seem perfect to keep yet nobody seems to like them.

I have caught a couple D. insanus each season for a couple of years. The only reason I haven’t kept them, is because they’re so good for beginners I end up selling them to newbies. This year I’m targeting D. bicolor for myself, found a colony last year. I was late and only found one straggler queen, which I gave to the friend that told me of the location.

Just read Aaron’s post, and that seems to be all the more reason. I think I need to keep a colony or two this year to learn these difficulties. Otherwise I’m not doing a newbie any favor at all. Thanks


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Edited by BADANT, December 18 2020 - 9:53 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Nylanderia deserve way more love than they get. They’re such fun, quirky ants.

[NickAnter]

I agree. Very easy, fun, ants once you can figure out an escape-proof setup.

[Manitobant]

Forelius is also hugely underrated. I've only seen like 1 or 2 people keep them despite them being in almost every US state.

[FSTP]

Dorymyrmex, My favorite ant. They used to be super abundant where I live but with all the construction and development in my neighborhood area in the last few years they have been displaced by argentines. So now they're a rare treat to behold when I do come across them. Its so interesting and sad to see them diminish in numbers in my immediate area just do to the construction. 

[TennesseeAnts]

Forelius is also hugely underrated. I've only seen like 1 or 2 people keep them despite them being in almost every US state.

I concur. Their growth rate is fairly manageable, too. My colony did really well, until the queen mysteriously died...

[AntsDakota]

Lasius neoniger have such pretty queens. Their colonies can be quite impressive when mature as well, as with all Lasius. I think that just because they're common doesn't mean they're boring. That is a biased, narrow-minded opinion.

[Ants_Dakota]

Forelius is also hugely underrated. I've only seen like 1 or 2 people keep them despite them being in almost every US state.

if you can find them. i have never found any.

[LucaHakase]

Forelius is also hugely underrated. I've only seen like 1 or 2 people keep them despite them being in almost every US state.

Make that 3