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Ant Carbs?
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 4:40 pm
by Barfdog
Hello beautiful AC fam. Give me some good examples of carbs you feed your ants.. mostly because I don't see Human carbs the same as ant carbs.. like could I give my ants a tortilla chip and call that carbs? Could I give them bread and call that carbs? I feel like lots of hard processed foods they would just ignore if it didn't have a sugary substance or protein source right? I'm just curious what 'filler' foods you give your ants.
Re: Ant Carbs?
Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 7:32 pm
by Batspiderfish
Carbohydrates are a group of organic compounds that, when oxidized, will produce carbon dioxide and water. Glucose is one of the most useful energy sources for the body, although fatty acids can also be used. A chip, for example, has carbohydrates in the form of starch (how plants store glucose), cellulose (a.k.a. fiber, a structural form similar to starch that most animals cannot digest), and whatever sugars came from the plant or were added during production. Oils found within seeds or added to chips provide energy in the form of triglycerides. So you see, carbohydrates and other energy sources are diverse.
Most ants can only digest the more basic forms of carbohydrates: sugars, specifically glucose, fructose, and their disaccharide, sucrose (table sugar). They drink it in liquid form, either from plant secretions or second-hand, from plant lice like aphids. Proteins and plant fats can make for secondary energy sources, but these are not sufficient for most ants.
Myrmicinae is a subfamily including Tetramorium, Solenopsis, and Pogonomyrmex. One thing that many (but not all) of the ants in this group have in common is their ability to digest starches and utilize seeds as energy and protein sources. If your ant doesn't belong to this subfamily, then you definitely cannot expect them to be able to eat a chip.
TLDR: In general, you should only be giving your ants insects for protein, and sugary liquid for carbohydrates.
Re: Ant Carbs?
Posted: Sat May 20, 2017 4:36 am
by Barfdog
Batspiderfish wrote: ↑Fri May 19, 2017 7:32 pm
Carbohydrates are a group of organic compounds that, when oxidized, will produce carbon dioxide and water. Glucose is one of the most useful energy sources for the body, although fatty acids can also be used. A chip, for example, has carbohydrates in the form of starch (how plants store glucose), cellulose (a.k.a. fiber, a structural form similar to starch that most animals cannot digest), and whatever sugars came from the plant or were added during production. Oils found within seeds or added to chips provide energy in the form of triglycerides. So you see, carbohydrates and other energy sources are diverse.
Most ants can only digest the more basic forms of carbohydrates: sugars, specifically glucose, fructose, and their disaccharide, sucrose (table sugar). They drink it in liquid form, either from plant secretions or second-hand, from plant lice like aphids. Proteins and plant fats can make for secondary energy sources, but these are not sufficient for most ants.
Myrmicinae is a subfamily including
Tetramorium, Solenopsis, and
Pogonomyrmex. One thing that many (but not all) of the ants in this group have in common is their ability to digest starches and utilize seeds as energy and protein sources. If your ant doesn't belong to this subfamily, then you definitely cannot expect them to be able to eat a chip.
TLDR: In general, you should only be giving your ants insects for protein, and sugary liquid for carbohydrates.
Thank you again Mr. BatSpiderfish for saving the day yet again and going above and beyond
Re: Ant Carbs?
Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 9:56 am
by MadVampy
Ok what my ants (Solenopsis) like and I feed them is crickets, sugar water, and it may sound funny but the white kitkat mini's. LOL I'll give them one of those and they will eat the white chocolate and the wafers too, kinda funny watching them tunnel thru it. So they get their proteins, sugars, and whatever the wafers in the candy may provide.
Are they happy and thriving? Oh yea!
Re: Ant Carbs?
Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 11:24 pm
by Barfdog
MadVampy wrote: ↑Sun May 21, 2017 9:56 am
Ok what my ants (Solenopsis) like and I feed them is crickets, sugar water, and it may sound funny but the white kitkat mini's. LOL I'll give them one of those and they will eat the white chocolate and the wafers too, kinda funny watching them tunnel thru it. So they get their proteins, sugars, and whatever the wafers in the candy may provide.
Are they happy and thriving? Oh yea!
Heck yeah, thanks Vampy. I was thinking about giving mine some Reeses cups once they get massive in numbers before I read this so that was pretty funny. Gonna kill some time on your youtube channel now
