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Seed eating ant species.

Started By OwlThatLikesAnts , May 13 2025 3:50 PM

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5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline OwlThatLikesAnts - Posted May 13 2025 - 3:50 PM

OwlThatLikesAnts

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So I decided to create this thread so I can find out what species that accept seeds. The reason what I want to find out is because I recently discovered tertamorium will accept and eat seeds (pistachios) and now I want to know if there is any more species that eat seed that I am not aware of.

 

I know that Pogonomyrmex and Messors eat seeds, there are also Veromessor. Some other species I’ve seen eating seeds is Solenopsis molesta. I’m also aware that Pheidole and Tetramorium will too. The question that lingers I’m my head the most is if Myrmica eats seeds.


Edited by OwlThatLikesAnts, May 13 2025 - 3:51 PM.

Currently keeping:

 

1x Formica subsericea, 35-40 workers +  BIG brood pile + 10 pupa

1x Crematogaster cerasi, 2 workers + eggs / larva? (pls don't die workers) *1 is trying to die* (I SAID DON’T DIE)

1x Myrmica ruba sp around 10 workers

 

*As you watch your ants march, remember that every thing begins with a small step and continued by diligence and shared dreams*

-A.T (Me)

 

#2 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted May 13 2025 - 3:54 PM

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I wouldn't be surprised, though I am not sure. I know Aphaenogaster and Novomessor are also granivorous.


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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

 

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis

#3 Offline Artisan_Ants - Posted May 13 2025 - 4:08 PM

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So I decided to create this thread so I can find out what species that accept seeds. The reason what I want to find out is because I recently discovered tertamorium will accept and eat seeds (pistachios) and now I want to know if there is any more species that eat seed that I am not aware of.

 

I know that Pogonomyrmex and Messors eat seeds, there are also Veromessor. Some other species I’ve seen eating seeds is Solenopsis molesta. I’m also aware that Pheidole and Tetramorium will too. The question that lingers I’m my head the most is if Myrmica eats seeds.

Apparently (this actually surprised me ngl) Myrmica sp. (referring most Myrmica species I believe) dislikes various seed types. See this thread for more info on their diet: https://www.formicul...ood-by-species/. This data of course, is still mostly from ants in captivity so wild preference of seeds may greatly vary depending on the species and environmental factors.

 

This thread does still state that (and this is still very true) that their food preferences may vary depending on the colony's stage in development (such as the workers and brood it has) so captive Myrmica could still accept seeds. Hope this helps!


Edited by Artisan_Ants, May 13 2025 - 4:10 PM.

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Keeping:

1x - S. molesta REBOOT (founding)         1x - C. pennsylvanicus (founding)   (y) New!

2x - C. chromaiodes (founding queen and colony)                                       

1x - T. sessile (mega colony)

1x - C. nearcticus (alate ==> founding?)

 

Check out my C. nearcticus journal here: https://www.formicul...cticus-journal/

Check out my C. chromaiodes journal here: https://www.formicul...aiodes-journal/

#4 Offline ANTdrew - Posted May 13 2025 - 4:24 PM

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Pheidole bicarinata and P. pillifera feed on seeds.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#5 Offline OwlThatLikesAnts - Posted May 14 2025 - 11:46 AM

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Hmmm, so nothing too special, I guess my knowledge on seed eaters is pretty up to date.


Currently keeping:

 

1x Formica subsericea, 35-40 workers +  BIG brood pile + 10 pupa

1x Crematogaster cerasi, 2 workers + eggs / larva? (pls don't die workers) *1 is trying to die* (I SAID DON’T DIE)

1x Myrmica ruba sp around 10 workers

 

*As you watch your ants march, remember that every thing begins with a small step and continued by diligence and shared dreams*

-A.T (Me)

 

#6 Offline Ernteameise - Posted May 14 2025 - 12:17 PM

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My Acanthomyrmex thailandensis also love their seed. Since it is a very small ant species, I feed small seed like chia, quinoa, poppy, dandelion and similar. Chia seeds are their favorites.

They also love fig seed and harvest fig seed in their native tropical rainforest.


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