Minot Air Force Base, ND #6

[Batspiderfish]

Now they will need a foraging space where they can search for food. Any container with vertical walls should be suitable, so long as it is lined with talcum/isopropanol paint. They will need regular access to fresh sugary liquid and insect protein, just like any other Formica colony.

[FarrAnts]

Now they will need a foraging space where they can search for food. Any container with vertical walls should be suitable, so long as it is lined with talcum/isopropanol paint. They will need regular access to fresh sugary liquid and insect protein, just like any other Formica colony.

So honey? Like sunflower seed honey (I have that) or normal honey or sugarwater?

[Batspiderfish]

It can be honey, maple syrup, or just table sugar mixed with water. Ants like their sweets somewhat dilute.

[FarrAnts]

It can be honey, maple syrup, or just table sugar mixed with water. Ants like their sweets somewhat dilute.

Awesome. And what pictures do you need to fully make sure this queen is Formica ravida?

[Batspiderfish]

Pictures of the front of the head, showing off the clypeus, will help us determine the sanguinea group from the rufa group. After that we would need photographs detailed enough to show off the hairs on the ant's body.

[FarrAnts]

Pictures of the front of the head, showing off the clypeus, will help us determine the sanguinea group from the rufa group. After that we would need photographs detailed enough to show off the hairs on the ant's body.

All right. I'll do my best to get them. Lastly, could you check this link and confirm she is a Formica worker? She looks to be getting along with the queen but I want to make sure.

http://forum.AntsCanada.com/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=3929

[Batspiderfish]

Yup! That's Formica. The Formica parasite queens usually start hording them the moment they are discovered.

[FarrAnts]

Yup! That's Formica. The Formica parasite queens usually start hording them the moment they are discovered.

Awesome! Should I get more pupae? I managed to get these using the trick you taught me, and I looked back this evening and are still raiding! Must be from a big formica colony.

[Batspiderfish]

The trick, just in case anybody is wondering, is to keep track of any raiding species like Polyergus or Formica from the sanguinea group. July, when most Formica social parasites are flying, is the same time of year that those raiding species are out stealing the brood of their Formica host species. Robbing the raiders of stolen pupae is a much less destructive method of obtaining brood when you don't have a Formica colony of your own.

Formica social parasites shouldn't be given more pupae than the queen wants to take care of. In my experience, most queens will tend to 6-8 pupae. You don't need very many host workers with Formica.

[FarrAnts]

The trick, just in case anybody is wondering, is to keep track of any raiding species like Polyergus or Formica from the sanguinea group. July, when most Formica social parasites are flying, is the same time of year that those raiding species are out stealing the brood of their Formica host species. Robbing the raiders of stolen pupae is a much less destructive method of obtaining brood when you don't have a Formica colony of your own.

Formica social parasites shouldn't be given more pupae than the queen wants to take care of. In my experience, most queens will tend to 6-8 pupae. You don't need very many host workers with Formica.

Dang.. I got her around 25. Should I take some out?