They will happily adopt most any Formica brood we just give to them, but they are mostly adapted to raid host species from the fusca, pallidefulva, and neogagates.
And, umm... This is interesting... I don't think your queen is Formica aserva. That species has no hairs on the pronotum, and the petiolar crest is flat, fan shaped. I encourage you to ask him about these details. It might go to show the hazards of identification without microscopic examination. This makes me a little nostalgic (although I wish my photographs were still there): http://antfarm.yuku....ID#.V9Yj7q2FXd1
Here, you can clearly see hairs on the pronotum:
And here, look at the shape of the petiole:
Edited by Batspiderfish, September 11 2016 - 9:26 PM.
If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.
Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.
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Black lives still matter.