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Questions from a beginner

lasius; keeping

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5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline AntGirl - Posted July 11 2022 - 1:57 PM

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I'm keeping a lasius americanus/crypticus (possibly a different species) and I wanted to know when I should move them into a new nest, or at least connect a test tube portal to their test tube. They currently have 8 workers. Also, what temperature should they be kept at?

 

Thank you


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#2 Offline lazyant - Posted July 11 2022 - 2:26 PM

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Try to keep them in their test tube as long as possible, so they don't use the nest provided as a garbage site.

In my experience, Lasius like it a bit above room temperature. 


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#3 Offline AlexLebedev - Posted July 11 2022 - 3:17 PM

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Lasius don't like to move. if you try to make them move they won't. Like lazy ant said a little above room temperture is good. Provide foraging areas once they hit 30~ workers.


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What i am keeping Brachymyrmex patagonicus 1 worker x5 tetramorium immigrans 10 workers x2 lasius crypticus 5 workers Pheidole californica 6 queens150~ workers 10-30 majors, Formica argentea 10~ W

 

 

What I've kept crematogaster sp pheidole californica camponotus vicinus high elev, dumetorum,laevigatus, prenolepis imparis, pogonomyrmex californicus and subnitidus and californicus, veromessor andrei, camponotus sayi, hypoponera opacior ,Liometopum occidentale solnopsis molesta group, solenopsis xyloni.


#4 Offline T.C. - Posted July 11 2022 - 10:40 PM

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Like others said, Lasius sp. are quite small and can stay in test tubes until the colony is quite large. Good luck!


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#5 Offline NancyZamora4991 - Posted July 12 2022 - 11:39 AM

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I'm keeping a lasius americanus/crypticus (possibly a different species) and I wanted to know when I should move them into a new nest, or at least connect a test tube portal to their test tube. They currently have 8 workers. Also, what temperature should they be kept at?

 

Thank you

I would connect a test tube portal if you have it, It makes the test tube much cleaner and you can wash out the portal when it gets dirty. Like people said, Lasius will not move on their own they are super super stubborn. I only move my Lasius when the water runs out. Also Lasius are not a fan of heat, I have tried many times to heat them, even if I put the heating cable near them they will move as far away from it as they can. (P.S. It is Crypticus)


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#6 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted July 12 2022 - 4:23 PM

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8 workers is too few for an outworld in my opinion. Lasius nanitics are super shy anyway, and would probably hardly venture into an outworld or portal. Yes the test tube will get dirty with you feeding the food directly into it, but putting the food on tinfoil and removing that after the ants are done works too.
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