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Help me pick my sons first ants! (VA located)

Started By Bugmomma , Dec 21 2020 6:06 PM

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23 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Bugmomma - Posted December 21 2020 - 6:06 PM

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Hey guys! I am new here and new to ants along with keeping other various bugs. My son is 14 going on 15 year old son was gifted a Formicarium for Christmas and we are now trying to decide the best route to go for him ant wise. Attached is are Formicarium after decorating earlier tonight. Was hoping to get some insight on types. A non-climbing and non-biting/stinging species would be preferred for ease of cleaning on his part. However we are really open to possibilities.

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Edited by Bugmomma, December 21 2020 - 6:06 PM.

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#2 Offline ZTYguy - Posted December 21 2020 - 6:10 PM

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All I can think is a large Camponotus species and I mean large or Pogonomyrmex but they stings although you can see them so it wouldn’t be a problem to get out of their way.


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#3 Offline ZTYguy - Posted December 21 2020 - 6:11 PM

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Oh, get fluon


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#4 Offline Bugmomma - Posted December 21 2020 - 6:16 PM

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We were thinking a Camponotus possibly, he was actually intrigued by a slower growing colony.


#5 Offline ZTYguy - Posted December 21 2020 - 6:17 PM

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That’s cool, I can find some vendors on here. What size colony do you want?


Edited by ZTYguy, December 21 2020 - 6:17 PM.

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#6 Offline Bugmomma - Posted December 21 2020 - 6:22 PM

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I was hoping to get one ready to move into a nest. So maybe 25+ workers? That would be awesome.


#7 Offline ZTYguy - Posted December 21 2020 - 6:23 PM

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Ok, I’ll go a lookin


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#8 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted December 21 2020 - 6:25 PM

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We were thinking a Camponotus possibly, he was actually intrigued by a slower growing colony.

There's a user by the name of ANTdrew that can help you.


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#9 Offline Bugmomma - Posted December 21 2020 - 6:59 PM

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We were thinking a Camponotus possibly, he was actually intrigued by a slower growing colony.

There's a user by the name of ANTdrew that can help you.

I was lurking around earlier and actually saw him. Maybe I'll check in :)

#10 Offline ZTYguy - Posted December 21 2020 - 7:00 PM

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Yeah, check him out


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#11 Offline Devi - Posted December 21 2020 - 7:20 PM

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We were thinking a Camponotus possibly, he was actually intrigued by a slower growing colony.

There's a user by the name of ANTdrew that can help you.

 

I can confirm, ANTdrew is the best.  


#12 Offline ANTdrew - Posted December 21 2020 - 7:44 PM

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PM sent! I won’t have any Camponotus until at least April. Tetramorium could be a good beginner ant that isn’t great at climbing.
Does that formicarium have a lid?
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#13 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted December 21 2020 - 8:43 PM

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Looks like an AntWorldUSA formicarium. Which is the brand I use to keep my Tetramorium in (yes, these are the Tetramorium that destroyed the Fluon, ate the olive oil, and are now contained with mineral oil). However, the climbing wall goes right up to near the top so I'm a little concerned about escapees.

Personally I would go for Camponotus but Tetras are definitely hardy and easy to keep.


Edited by OhNoNotAgain, December 21 2020 - 8:43 PM.

Past & Present

Veromessor pergandei, andrei, stoddardi; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis, Camponotus sansabeanus (inactive), vicinus, laevigatus/quercicola, CA02

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus, P. californicus (inactive)

Liometopum occidentale (inactive); Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus (inactive); Tetramorium sp. (inactive);  Lasius sp.

 

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis, and a box of drywood termites that can't be seen

Isopods: (most no longer keeping) A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus, P. pruinosus, T. tomentosa

Spoods: (no longer keeping) Phidippus sp., other

#14 Offline Bugmomma - Posted December 22 2020 - 4:12 AM

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Looks like an AntWorldUSA formicarium. Which is the brand I use to keep my Tetramorium in (yes, these are the Tetramorium that destroyed the Fluon, ate the olive oil, and are now contained with mineral oil). However, the climbing wall goes right up to near the top so I'm a little concerned about escapees.
Personally I would go for Camponotus but Tetras are definitely hardy and easy to keep.


Yes, it's an AntWorldUSA formicarium. It's quiet cute and too Antdrew, yes, it has a tight fitting lid!

#15 Online Ants_Dakota - Posted December 22 2020 - 6:09 AM

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We were thinking a Camponotus possibly, he was actually intrigued by a slower growing colony.

There's a user by the name of ANTdrew that can help you.

I was lurking around earlier and actually saw him. Maybe I'll check in :)

 

wow! caught an ANTdrew in his native environment! A cool find!


i would recommend camponotus, as it grows slower than tetramorium, and it is easy to see the whole life cycle of an ant.


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#16 Offline AleeGuy - Posted December 22 2020 - 7:54 AM

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yay! One more VA keeper! Are you in North VA?
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#17 Offline Bugmomma - Posted December 22 2020 - 9:59 AM

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yay! One more VA keeper! Are you in North VA?


Central, in the Fredericksburg area :)

#18 Offline AleeGuy - Posted December 22 2020 - 12:50 PM

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yay! One more VA keeper! Are you in North VA?

Central, in the Fredericksburg area :)

KitsAntVA lives in central too (y)


Edited by AleeGuy, December 22 2020 - 12:52 PM.

#19 Offline KitsAntVa - Posted December 22 2020 - 3:07 PM

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Yes central Va home of the ants. I have around 40-50 species in my front and back yard. If you look good enough I’m sure you could find a ton to.
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We don’t talk about that

#20 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted December 22 2020 - 8:17 PM

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I lived briefly in VA and, while I never kept ants there, I remember well the climate and the lush vegetation. I can only imagine the species diversity.  :)


Past & Present

Veromessor pergandei, andrei, stoddardi; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis, Camponotus sansabeanus (inactive), vicinus, laevigatus/quercicola, CA02

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus, P. californicus (inactive)

Liometopum occidentale (inactive); Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus (inactive); Tetramorium sp. (inactive);  Lasius sp.

 

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis, and a box of drywood termites that can't be seen

Isopods: (most no longer keeping) A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus, P. pruinosus, T. tomentosa

Spoods: (no longer keeping) Phidippus sp., other

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