As the subject asks,
Are Pogonomyrmex badius (Florida Harvester Ant) queens fully-claustral? It seems that some Pogo's are and some aren't These guys have a full-sized head and mandibles which would make me think they were only semi. The only source I found says they are fully-claustral, but I don't know if I trust the source.
Can anyone provide some personal experience and let me know? I don't want to starve these ladies accidentally.
Pogonomyrmex badius fully-claustral?
Moderator: ooper01
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- Posts: 29
- Joined: Sat May 20, 2017 8:12 pm
- Location: Orlando, Florida
Re: Pogonomyrmex badius fully-claustral?
They are fully claustral.
Re: Pogonomyrmex badius fully-claustral?
Is there a grass seed you would recommend for food? Haven't had much luck with variety pack bird seeds.
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- Posts: 29
- Joined: Sat May 20, 2017 8:12 pm
- Location: Orlando, Florida
Re: Pogonomyrmex badius fully-claustral?
Almost all the seeds in a bird food mix are too large. A recent studies reported this species is unable to crack open seed larger than 1.5mm is width. They utilize germination to feed upon larger seeds, but the window for feeding on such is apparently small.
Seed should always be available for colonies, and lone queens will utilize them too. I use a large variety as different colonies seem to have preferences. Protein should still make up nearly %50 of this species diet.
Protein items I feed my colonies and queens:
Desiccated insect parts (cricket, grasshopper, mealworm)
A variety of small insects such as flies, mosquitoes, earwigs, and crushed beetles
Roach nymphs
Fresh cricket legs
Solenopsis invicta queens (caught in mass and frozen)
Betta fish pellets
Seed species I've fed include:
Dalea purpurea (purple prairie clover)
Nyjer thistle seed
Paspulum setaceum
Poppy seed
Flax seed
Panicum sp. (switchgrass)
Echinochloa walteri (Walter's barnyard grass)
Bluegrass seed
Sesame seed
Bahia grass seed
Seed should always be available for colonies, and lone queens will utilize them too. I use a large variety as different colonies seem to have preferences. Protein should still make up nearly %50 of this species diet.
Protein items I feed my colonies and queens:
Desiccated insect parts (cricket, grasshopper, mealworm)
A variety of small insects such as flies, mosquitoes, earwigs, and crushed beetles
Roach nymphs
Fresh cricket legs
Solenopsis invicta queens (caught in mass and frozen)
Betta fish pellets
Seed species I've fed include:
Dalea purpurea (purple prairie clover)
Nyjer thistle seed
Paspulum setaceum
Poppy seed
Flax seed
Panicum sp. (switchgrass)
Echinochloa walteri (Walter's barnyard grass)
Bluegrass seed
Sesame seed
Bahia grass seed
Re: Pogonomyrmex badius fully-claustral?
Thanks! That is very thorough.
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