13 replies to this topic

[AntsMAN]

I'm trying to better understand the full dietary needs of ants.

 

I feed mine: Meal worms, super worms, honey, sugar, apples, jam, peanut butter, molasses, eggs, scallops, chicken, nectar, chocolate, candy, breads, nuts, oranges, etc. Just about everything. I'm thinking of getting some agar some of my mixes, for added protein.

 

I was reading you can crush up vitamins and mineral tablets and mix it in with their food is this viable?

I have also taken better consideration for my feeders, I'm getting the supplements for for a much better gut load.

What is in aphid nectar? Is there some special nutrient they get from it or just a sugar source?

 

I know there is no magic mixture, but what are all the ingredients needed to have the best results?

I feed them every two days to ensure they have plenty of food, removing all the old bits as well (learned my lesson with mold). I give them each a dish with 8 different things on it.

 

I just want a better understanding of their dietary needs. It seem like whenever I think I'm starting to get it, I figure out I'm no where close.

I think I need to research a lot more, and start putting more thought into this hobby. My understand in the beginning to now is totally different.

I thought sugar, protein all good, but there is so much more to the needs of these little critters.

Edited by AntsMAN, February 20 2017 - 3:15 PM.

[Serafine]

If you give them fruits make sure they aren't poisened (bio labeled products usually aren't, no idea how common these are in the US).

[AntsMAN]

If you give them fruits make sure they aren't poisened (bio labeled products usually aren't, no idea how common these are in the US).

 

I can't say for sure, but none of my other colonies have been affected they get the same fruits.

And my meal worms eat the same and they are fine. I removed that bit from my post because thinking of it now it can't be their diet if the rest are doing fine.

Edited by AntsMAN, February 20 2017 - 3:16 PM.

[CrazyLegs]

My sentiment on proper diet is the same AntsMAN, I think the information is so vague because it could really come down to species. My Myrmecia ants still haven't eaten protein for 6 weeks and are still doing fine. There are no larvae and the ants no longer take protein offerings into the nest at all. They accept fruit (which I now will be thoroughly washing),  maple syrup, sugar water and I'm looking at the health benefits of "Manuka Honey" which they also accept.

If they all drop dead in the coming days I will retract my statement.

Sounds like your ants eat like.....Queens.

Edited by CrazyLegs, February 21 2017 - 4:40 AM.

[Serafine]

I think you really should try what drew said and feed them a larva of the healthy colony. They may indeed have lost some symbiotic endobacteria they require to survive.

[AntsMAN]

I think you really should try what drew said and feed them a larva of the healthy colony. They may indeed have lost some symbiotic endobacteria they require to survive.

 

Will be doing this today after work will let you guys know how it goes.

[AntsMAN]

I've been reading and it seems a ratio of 1:5 Protein to Carbohydrates is key to longevity in workers. To much protein reduces life span.

They were using Whey powder(casein) and powered eggs ,with Vanderzant vitamin mixture for insects mixed with agar 5:1 ratio Agar to vitamin mixture for insects.

Has anyone tried Vanderzant vitamin mixture for insects.  http://www.sigmaaldr...ng=en&region=CA

Adding this in with my regular routine should cover the board for nutrition.

Edited by AntsMAN, February 21 2017 - 6:39 AM.

[Serafine]

I think you shouldn't go overboard with caring too much about their diet. If you offer ants a permanent reliable sugar source (like a sugar water tube), some fruits (mine seems to like frozen raspberry and strawberry bits) and enough protein in the form of killed insects (and nuts if they like them) they should be entirely able to choose which nutrients they need and what not.

 

What I noticed is that my Camponotus barbaricus (they are a VERY small colony of only 4 workers and about a dozen larvae though) drink sugar water in huge bursts. I added a small sugar water test tube (about 3-4 parts water, 1 part sugar) to their outworld and the level of sugar water doesn't change for days, then suddenly one morning a MASSIVE amount of it is gone (like literally a third of the content, also the ants suddenly all look super fat ).

Maybe giving them permanent access to sugars instead of feeding them in ratios works better for Camponotus with their huge social stomachs.

Edited by Serafine, February 21 2017 - 7:00 AM.

[benjiwuf]

Through my own trials, and extensive research I have to conclude with others on this topic. Milk based proteins are not long term use products for ants. There is a definite reduction in receptivity long term.

The ratios provided were from several studies Serafine. It is a mixture provided at all times with a high sugar to protein ratio. While I do see they will eat it, i suggest away from these mixes from my trials. The best way is to seperate the sugar and protein mixtures. Although agar additions to sugar solutions and then brought to a light boil will yield a carveable block. That is very helpful in finding out just how much each colony needs on a given day.

Vitamins I believe are wholly necessary as well. I mean I can't think of one organism that can survive long term without a varied diet due to this, and protein requirements.

[AntsMAN]

I think you shouldn't go overboard with caring too much about their diet. If you offer ants a permanent reliable sugar source (like a sugar water tube), some fruits (mine seems to like frozen raspberry and strawberry bits) and enough protein in the form of killed insects (and nuts if they like them) they should be entirely able to choose which nutrients they need and what not.

 

What I noticed is that my Camponotus barbaricus (they are a VERY small colony of only 4 workers and about a dozen larvae though) drink sugar water in huge bursts. I added a small sugar water test tube (about 3-4 parts water, 1 part sugar) to their outworld and the level of sugar water doesn't change for days, then suddenly one morning a MASSIVE amount of it is gone (like literally a third of the content, also the ants suddenly all look super fat ).

Maybe giving them permanent access to sugars instead of feeding them in ratios works better for Camponotus with their huge social stomachs.

 

I'm just making sure they get everything they possibly can food wise so I can eliminate it altogether. I also leave a test tube Full of honey/sugar water in their out world at all times. I don't think we can provide them with everything they need, without giving them some sort of supplement boost.

[AntsMAN]

Through my own trials, and extensive research I have to conclude with others on this topic. Milk based proteins are not long term use products for ants. There is a definite reduction in receptivity long term.

The ratios provided were from several studies Serafine. It is a mixture provided at all times with a high sugar to protein ratio. While I do see they will eat it, i suggest away from these mixes from my trials. The best way is to seperate the sugar and protein mixtures. Although agar additions to sugar solutions and then brought to a light boil will yield a carveable block. That is very helpful in finding out just how much each colony needs on a given day.

Vitamins I believe are wholly necessary as well. I mean I can't think of one organism that can survive long term without a varied diet due to this, and protein requirements.

 

The milk based protein is to be added to their weekly routine, not replace it. My plan was to mix proteins with proteins and carbs with carbs.

The Vanderzant vitamin mixture for insects seems like it would be a benefit to all my insects, in giving them what they may not be getting.

[dspdrew]

I think you really should try what drew said and feed them a larva of the healthy colony. They may indeed have lost some symbiotic endobacteria they require to survive.

 

I said that?

[AntsMAN]

 

I think you really should try what drew said and feed them a larva of the healthy colony. They may indeed have lost some symbiotic endobacteria they require to survive.

 

I said that?

 

 

Is it plausible?

[AntsMAN]

So I think I'm going to give Vanderzant vitamin mixture for insects a try, along with giving them an even more varied died.

Also going to be taking better care of my feeders, with supplements as they are fed to my T's and  scorpion too.

This should keep them all balanced out nutrition wise.

 

I'm also going to be trying some different mixtures, and experimenting more.