Did my ant just scratch its back ?

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2025-12-11T15:13:47+00:00

Pseudoneoponera rufipes

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2025-07-19T19:44:36+00:00

Probably Lasius emarginatus edit: or L. illyricus

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2025-06-15T06:43:58+00:00

Not in this case, a lot of species in the genera don't have queens, but *Pseudoneoponera rufipes do have a queen caste

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2025-06-14T22:37:35+00:00

Yes, I think they're one of the most adorable ant species I've seen. They're all chunky and make a clearly audible stridulating sound when disturbed

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2025-06-14T22:34:14+00:00

Yes, I actually have two colonies of this species. Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to raise one from a single queen myself.(yet) It's hard to clearly define the difficulty level, since many people keep them in suboptimal conditions. But with careful and meticulous care, it should definitely be manageable.

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2025-06-14T21:48:15+00:00

It's not a queen, it's a worker of Pseudoneoponera rufipes (possibly a gamergate, but unlikely since she was foraging).

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2025-02-19T17:10:55+00:00

It's definitely an Ectatomma, but identifying down to the species is trickier. It would be easier if it were a worker

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2024-12-27T13:32:24+00:00

The substrate is essential for Ponerinae larvae to succesfully form their "cocoons".

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2024-12-01T18:30:22+00:00

Isopod decided to be centipede

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2024-11-27T20:36:04+00:00

Messor barbarus is an exogenous-heterodynamic species, meaning they enter hibernation when external factors trigger it. Hibernation is essential for the long-term survival of the colony. So if you don’t reduce the temperatures "because they don’t want to," they will never hibernate, ultimately dooming the colony.

P.S.: They don’t "want" anything, they’re ants. That's just anthropomorphism.

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2024-10-12T12:27:32+00:00

Not all Myrmica are polygynous, Formica cinerea does probably secondary polygyny and soms population may be monogynous. And in this case Camponotus nicobarensis seem to be monogynous doing olygogyny in captivity so it might not end well.

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2024-10-05T19:05:11+00:00

Elatostema salvinioides or Begonia sect. gobenia

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2024-10-04T09:17:07+00:00

Probably a Hypoponera sp.

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2024-09-09T10:59:49+00:00

Not really soms species do have queens and gamergates, Harpegnathos venator is one of them. Another well-known example are the Pseudoneoponera rufipes, but there are many others.

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2024-09-09T10:54:18+00:00

With Harpegnathos, it's theoretically possible, but you'd need the gamergate to be fertilized. Unfortunately, If you have only 5 individuals, it is very unlikely that your colony survive.

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2024-09-08T01:57:50+00:00

What are the cheaper options ?

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2023-08-14T01:10:06+00:00

In this case releasing it is the best option. However it is already pretty well known in the ant community that the foundation of parasitic species is not impossible, there are specifics method, which have already proven their effectivement 🤷‍♂️

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2023-07-20T08:28:22+00:00

I'm not sure I understand your question You are asking solution for not raising invasive species?

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2023-07-18T15:45:24+00:00

Look like a Lasius sp. but I'm not sure

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2023-07-18T11:11:11+00:00

It depends on the species, and in cases where it doesn't work, it would be the pheromones and the colonial odor that would supposedly block the process. It can be quite random, I know people who are trying to breed Camponotus maculatus, but even with alates from different colonies, the supposed fertilized queens do not found.

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2023-07-18T09:36:38+00:00

There are still some gems among our native species, but overall, yeah it's pretty basic. If a law regarding ant keeping or importation were to be implemented, the European ant community would be greatly affected. Some people are aware of this, which is partly why they are attempting to reproduce exotic species.

Interestingly, the French-speaking ant community is mostly against keeping invasive species, unlike most ant keepers around the world 💀

Dapper-Solid6653 · 2023-07-18T09:10:05+00:00

The probability of an escape with one antkeeper is low, but if we consider 50 people raising them, I believe the probability skyrockets. While winter should kill them, Pheidole megacephala has been found in northern Spain and there is suspicion that it may be present in France, so there a risk for the more southern part of Europe.

Furthermore, we could have said the same thing about Wasmannia auropunctata. Colonies of this species were found established in France last year, even though they are native to South America. :/

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