Tetramorium question

Posts and questions relating to ant diet & nutrition. Let us know what you’re feeding your ants.

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MCWren

Tetramorium question

Post: # 11081Post MCWren
Tue Sep 13, 2016 3:35 pm

I feed my Tetramorium sp. E a sunflower seed yesterday, and they liked it. What other seeds will this species eat? Also, do seeds count as protein or sugar?

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Batspiderfish
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Location: Maine

Re: Tetramorium question

Post: # 11085Post Batspiderfish
Tue Sep 13, 2016 8:33 pm

Myrmicines like Tetramorium are able to make good use of seeds because of their ability to digest starches. Other ants, such as the Formicinae subfamily, can sometimes chew fats out of seeds, but mostly rely on sugar and insect protein to survive. Seeds are a good source of protein AND carbohydrates to most myrmicines, but these should ***** the usual insect/sugar diet, not replace it (excluding, perhaps, seed specialists like Pogonomyrmex, which still enjoy insects and sugar).
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

MCWren

Re: Tetramorium question

Post: # 11105Post MCWren
Wed Sep 14, 2016 1:50 pm

Batspiderfish wrote:Myrmicines like Tetramorium are able to make good use of seeds because of their ability to digest starches. Other ants, such as the Formicinae subfamily, can sometimes chew fats out of seeds, but mostly rely on sugar and insect protein to survive. Seeds are a good source of protein AND carbohydrates to most myrmicines, but these should ***** the usual insect/sugar diet, not replace it (excluding, perhaps, seed specialists like Pogonomyrmex, which still enjoy insects and sugar).
Very interesting, thank you. Do you know any other seeds they'll eat?

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Batspiderfish
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Re: Tetramorium question

Post: # 11108Post Batspiderfish
Wed Sep 14, 2016 2:39 pm

MCWren wrote:
Batspiderfish wrote:Myrmicines like Tetramorium are able to make good use of seeds because of their ability to digest starches. Other ants, such as the Formicinae subfamily, can sometimes chew fats out of seeds, but mostly rely on sugar and insect protein to survive. Seeds are a good source of protein AND carbohydrates to most myrmicines, but these should ***** the usual insect/sugar diet, not replace it (excluding, perhaps, seed specialists like Pogonomyrmex, which still enjoy insects and sugar).
Very interesting, thank you. Do you know any other seeds they'll eat?
I've only tried teff.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.

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idahoantgirl
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Re: Tetramorium question

Post: # 11136Post idahoantgirl
Thu Sep 15, 2016 9:16 am

Batspiderfish wrote:
MCWren wrote:
Batspiderfish wrote:Myrmicines like Tetramorium are able to make good use of seeds because of their ability to digest starches. Other ants, such as the Formicinae subfamily, can sometimes chew fats out of seeds, but mostly rely on sugar and insect protein to survive. Seeds are a good source of protein AND carbohydrates to most myrmicines, but these should ***** the usual insect/sugar diet, not replace it (excluding, perhaps, seed specialists like Pogonomyrmex, which still enjoy insects and sugar).
Very interesting, thank you. Do you know any other seeds they'll eat?
I've only tried teff.
in AntsCanada-s video on teramorium he said that his ants love sesame seeds.
Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.

Keeping Tetramorium immigrans, Tapinoma Sessile

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