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Aphaenogaster help


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#1 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 24 2017 - 4:05 PM

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My Aphaenogaster seems to be having a die off of workers and I think it is because of a lack of sugar sources. I already asked for some ideas on what to feed them and started feeding them graham crackers but they no longer are interested in them. I really can't find anything sugar source that they like(I've tried a lot), I've even attached a sugar water test tube to their formicarium and they show no interest, they just use it to dump garbage in. I'm worried that the colony is going to die.


I accidentally froze all my ants 


#2 Offline AntsMaryland - Posted July 26 2017 - 12:54 AM

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Have you tried honey...?


Also, are you giving them enough protein and water?


Aphaenogaster cf. rudis 

Tetramorium immigrans 

Tapinoma sessile

Formica subsericea

Pheidole sp.

Camponotus nearcticus


#3 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 26 2017 - 7:52 AM

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Yes.

Yes.

Is chocolate safe to feed ants? I've tried apple and they show no interest, they are getting very frustrating.


I accidentally froze all my ants 


#4 Offline AntsMaryland - Posted July 26 2017 - 8:09 AM

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choclate Is fine for ants


Aphaenogaster cf. rudis 

Tetramorium immigrans 

Tapinoma sessile

Formica subsericea

Pheidole sp.

Camponotus nearcticus


#5 Offline Loops117 - Posted July 26 2017 - 12:54 PM

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I doubt it's the sugar sources. What are you feeding them and how humid is the nest? Aphaenogaster lack social stomachs, so bringing back sugary liquids isn't as common with this species. They're also a species that LOVES moist/humid nests and don't fair well in dryer climates.



#6 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 26 2017 - 1:04 PM

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They are now in a hybrid nest and I keep it very moist.


I accidentally froze all my ants 


#7 Offline Lou9x9 - Posted July 26 2017 - 1:26 PM

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I have some aphaenogaster treatae and they go right for the honey I leave out for them. Maybe it's something to do with temp?



#8 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 26 2017 - 1:58 PM

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They are kept in a garage with no air conditioning, so it is the same temp as it is outside.


I accidentally froze all my ants 


#9 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted July 26 2017 - 5:03 PM

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In my experience, Aphaenogaster seem to be more on the predatory side. The difficulty may also have to do with how this colony was obtained, since wild, established colonies often have a harder time adapting to captivity or the new conditions.


Edited by Batspiderfish, July 26 2017 - 5:03 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.

 

----

Black lives still matter.


#10 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 28 2017 - 4:09 PM

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Just tried peach and orange, they didn't show any interest. I just saw an ant that looked very weak and feeble and the other ants carried him to the graveyard site and he died. Is there any possibility that they have a disease? I'd like peoples honest opinion on whether or not I should release them.


I accidentally froze all my ants 


#11 Offline AntsMaryland - Posted July 29 2017 - 8:17 AM

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You should release them, they are either sick or they just are not able to adjust to the living conditions. Judging by how they are dying off I would say they have some kind of fungal infection or disease. You should release them. Sorry.


Aphaenogaster cf. rudis 

Tetramorium immigrans 

Tapinoma sessile

Formica subsericea

Pheidole sp.

Camponotus nearcticus


#12 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted July 29 2017 - 8:43 AM

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Releasing ants because they might be sick is exactly why we aren't supposed to release them at all...


  • Nathant2131 likes this

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.

 

----

Black lives still matter.


#13 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted July 29 2017 - 9:58 AM

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Not releasing your ants has been explicitly stated by myrmecologists.

#14 Offline AntsMaryland - Posted July 29 2017 - 10:02 AM

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You forget that his colony was wild caught, so they obtained it naturally from their own living conditions.


What source did you get that information from?


  • FeedTheAnts likes this

Aphaenogaster cf. rudis 

Tetramorium immigrans 

Tapinoma sessile

Formica subsericea

Pheidole sp.

Camponotus nearcticus


#15 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 29 2017 - 11:41 AM

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Thanks for your feedback, I think I've decided to release them. I might try and catch another young colony and hope they do better. If I decide to do this then I will be keeping the same journal and just use it for the new colony. There still might be a chance I keep them though, I will be keeping an eye on them for the next couple of days...


I accidentally froze all my ants 


#16 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted July 29 2017 - 12:47 PM

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You forget that his colony was wild caught, so they obtained it naturally from their own living conditions.


What source did you get that information from?

http://www.formicult...-colony-behind/

 

That thread should clear things up.

 

It doesn't matter how the ants are obtained from my understanding.



#17 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 29 2017 - 4:09 PM

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I just saw a worker carrying a dead Pupa to the gravesite, that is not good, is it...


I accidentally froze all my ants 


#18 Offline lucas3431 - Posted July 30 2017 - 12:01 AM

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Put them into a clean, more dryer formicarium, if it's a bacterial infection then I would remove humidity and raise the temperature a little more, don't cook the ants, it might be a good idea to clean the outworlds. When you have cleaned up spray the outworld with clean water, keep nest dry for now.

Get yourself some springtails asap.

Have you tried feeding them peanut butter or strawberries.

#19 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 30 2017 - 4:43 AM

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But I cleaned the formicarium very well before I put them in and that was just a few days ago, and they have been very clean, there is not a spot anywhere in it. The Outworld is a new one that I just made. I think I fed them strawberry jelly once, but I will be trying peanut butter, thanks for recommending it.


  • lucas3431 likes this

I accidentally froze all my ants 


#20 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 30 2017 - 1:12 PM

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I just released them, thank you all for your feedback. Like I said, I will be using the journal for a new colony if I ever catch one.


  • lucas3431 likes this

I accidentally froze all my ants 





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