3 replies to this topic

[MC Wren]

After my Crematogaster queen died, the only ants I have to put in my new formicarium are Lasius neoniger. I've been searching far and wide for Crematogaster and Pheidole colonies to catch, but I can't find any. My question: how interesting are Lasius neoniger? I already have Tetramorium sp. E, Camponotus pennsylvanicus, and Nylanderia flavipes, and I really want Crematogaster or Pheidole. Is it worth continuing to look for them, probably to no avail, or would I be better off just keeping the Lasius neoniger I have? Are they fascinating enough to be worth keeping?

[ultraex2]

Your next best bet is probably buying a Crematogaster/Pheidole colony off GAN or somewhere else.  If you have nothing else to keep, you may as well keep your L. Neoniger and see how you like them more or until you get another colony.

 

I would keep searching until you know it's out of season for them.

[MC Wren]

There are no GAN farmers that currently have colonies in my state besides me.

[Batspiderfish]

Whether or not an ant is interesting depends on what you find interesting about ants. Every single species of ant is complicated and has something totally unique to them, as well as something which has not yet been observed or studied. You might be interested in a species for its appearance, its behavior, its rarity, or how well it thrives in captivity. I don't think I would be able to tell you if Lasius neoniger is 'worth keeping', but they certainly deserve consideration. I see them as feisty and prolific ants which tunnel with gusto and have complex and dramatic relationships with the colonies around them (in the wild).