4 replies to this topic

[Servercheck]

Hey guys, I don't have any colonies now, but some of you may know that I gave away my Camponotus sp. colony to another local with the condition that he update me regularly on the progress of the colony.

 

In the most recent update, he said he threw in live mealworms into the outworld, and the workers actually waited until one of them shed their skin before attacking and eating it! I believe this is to avoid cutting through the hard exoskeleton, but I don't recall reading of this behavior before. Anyone noticed this interesting behavior in your colonies?

 

[drtrmiller]

The process of sclerotization, that is, the hardening of the exoskeleton after moulting, has a distinctive smell, which many ants find irresistible.  This is the case with all insect prey—not just mealworms.

 

Although it is clear that this is when an insect prey is most vulnerable, correlation does not necessarily imply causation in this instance.

[Crystals]

The odd time I have dumped a live mealworm in, my Camponotus never wait around.  They promptly move in to kill and butcher it.

Except for colonies with less than 10 workers, they are more skittish and hesitant.

[Trailandstreet]

Camponotus are much stronger than many other ants. For instance Pheidole majors are also more for the rough work. These ants don't need to hesitate.

[Servercheck]

The process of sclerotization, that is, the hardening of the exoskeleton after moulting, has a distinctive smell, which many ants find irresistible.  This is the case with all insect prey—not just mealworms.

 

Although it is clear that this is when an insect prey is most vulnerable, correlation does not necessarily imply causation in this instance.

Wow that's amazing! Thanks for the info!