14 replies to this topic

[FeedTheAnts]

I have a terrarium that currently houses a good sized Formica pallidefulva colony. About a week ago I caught 21 Solenopsis molesta queens, and put them all in a tube together. They have been coming along super well and have a big pile of eggs. Can I put this Solenopsis molesta colony in the terrarium to live with my Formica colony? I've heard that if you were going to do this then you should do it with two species of very different sizes. I should mention that the terrarium is 10 gallons.

Thanks

[Major]

This could work if the terrarium is of sufficient size. Place one colony in and let them establish their nest. Once done, give them some time to settle in. You could help them start and encourage them where to start by poking a hole in the soil.

Next you should add the Solenopsis. Place them on the far end, you can also try the hole trick. I don't see why any issues should occur, but if aggression is shown, immediately relocate the colony's. I have never done anything similar to this, so maybe do some research or wait for others members to post on this thread before you take action

[FeedTheAnts]

This could work if the terrarium is of sufficient size. Place one colony in and let them establish their nest. Once done, give them some time to settle in. You could help them start and encourage them where to start by poking a hole in the soil.

Next you should add the Solenopsis. Place them on the far end, you can also try the hole trick. I don't see why any issues should occur, but if aggression is shown, immediately relocate the colony's. I have never done anything similar to this, so maybe do some research or wait for others members to post on this thread before you take action

Thanks for your reply. The Formica colony is actually already in the terrarium. As far as putting them on the "far end", the Formica colony's nest stretches the entire length of the tank, so I guess there really isn't a far end. I was thinking to put the Solenopsis in a piece of wood, with entrances and chambers that are super small.

[rbarreto]

I'd be worried that they would get to large and steal all your Formica food and brood.

*EDIT* I actually don't know anything about S. molesta interactions with other species so don't take what I say too seriously.

Edited by rbarreto, July 31 2018 - 1:33 PM.

[Major]

This could work if the terrarium is of sufficient size. Place one colony in and let them establish their nest. Once done, give them some time to settle in. You could help them start and encourage them where to start by poking a hole in the soil.
Next you should add the Solenopsis. Place them on the far end, you can also try the hole trick. I don't see why any issues should occur, but if aggression is shown, immediately relocate the colony's. I have never done anything similar to this, so maybe do some research or wait for others members to post on this thread before you take action

Thanks for your reply. The Formica colony is actually already in the terrarium. As far as putting them on the "far end", the Formica colony's nest stretches the entire length of the tank, so I guess there really isn't a far end. I was thinking to put the Solenopsis in a piece of wood, with entrances and chambers that are super small.

Wouldn't the Formica be able to dig through the wood though? They would sense the pheromones that the Solenopsis would be emitting. And the Formica colony's nest would be quite appealing to Solenopis. I have seen many small colony's of small ants nesting in abandoned Formica hills.

I'd be worried that they would get to large and steal all your Formica food and brood

Hmm, this could be a concern. We can only hope that they can handle themselves. I do expect a few casualties in the end.

[FeedTheAnts]

So, after a little research, it appears that Solenopsis molesta would not be a good idea. Unfortunately, there diet consists sometimes of stolen ant brood(so not cool), and that would be bad if they started to hurt the Formica colony. I could imagine that you could use it as a population control possibly, but my colony is nowhere near needing that.

 

So now I have a new question. I have an Aphaenogaster fulva colony with about 100 workers. Would this colony be able to live with the Formica colony? They now eat mostly almonds(which Formica don't like), so I don't think they would compete for food with the Formica colony. Also, when I first made the terrarium there was an Aphaenogaster colony that had snuck in through one of he rocks. They managed to live with my Formica colony until I dug them out and killed them. I even saw the two ant colony's workers walking right next to each other and there was never any aggression. 

 

I'm currently baking a piece of wood that has lots of tunnels in it for the Aphaenogaster colony, just in case I  end up moving them in. Maybe having them live in a piece of wood would keep the two colonies more separated.

[AnthonyP163]

I keep Stenamma brevicorne, Camponotus pennsylvanicus, Temnothorax curvispinosis, and Ponera pennsylvanica in one vivarium.

[ponerinecat]

Check out Nordic ant's channel on YouTube. He has a large vivarium with more than 2 colonies, termites, other invertebrates, and even a lizard. However, unless you live in a forest with a large amount of biodiversity, this would be too expensive to be practical.

[FeedTheAnts]

I keep Stenamma brevicorne, Camponotus pennsylvanicus, Temnothorax curvispinosis, and Ponera pennsylvanica in one vivarium.

How large is your vivarium?

 

Check out Nordic ant's channel on YouTube. He has a large vivarium with more than 2 colonies, termites, other invertebrates, and even a lizard. However, unless you live in a forest with a large amount of biodiversity, this would be too expensive to be practical.

Ya, his vivarium is absolutely amazing. It isn't really applicable though because it is so huge. Mine is only 10 gallons.

[TennesseeAnts]

I have a terrarium with a Ponera sp. colony, I will be moving a colony of Temenothorax into it as well. Good idea?

[EthanNgo678]

I have a terrarium with a Ponera sp. colony, I will be moving a colony of Temenothorax into it as well. Good idea?

I think it would work unless its a small formicarium. 

[TennesseeAnts]

I have a terrarium with a Ponera sp. colony, I will be moving a colony of Temenothorax into it as well. Good idea?

I think it would work unless its a small formicarium.

It is a very small terrarium. Mabey two gallons, at most.

[EthanNgo678]

 

 

I have a terrarium with a Ponera sp. colony, I will be moving a colony of Temenothorax into it as well. Good idea?

I think it would work unless its a small formicarium.

It is a very small terrarium. Mabey two gallons, at most.

If the colonies are small it may work for a little while, but not long term.

[TennesseeAnts]

I have a terrarium with a Ponera sp. colony, I will be moving a colony of Temenothorax into it as well. Good idea?

I think it would work unless its a small formicarium.

It is a very small terrarium. Mabey two gallons, at most.

If the colonies are small it may work for a little while, but not long term.

Ok, thanks!

[DaveJay]

It would be good to see, I think it would work given enough space.
On my trip to the river at least 5 species of different sizes foraging in the same space, they would bump into each other but just go their own way without aggression.
I think some species could share a large outworld without incident.