Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2011 22:30:08 GMT 1
Picture of Formica fusca copyright Alex Wild
Taxonomy: Formicinae (Formica)
Colony type: Monogynous/Polongynous (Dependant on Location)
Queen: Fully Claustral
Color: Shiny, black
Size: Queen 10-15 mm (1-1.5 cm) / Workers - Varies, smallest 6-7 mm (0.6-0.7 cm), largest 9 mm (0.9 cm)
Distribution: North America
Nutrition: Honey water, fruits, insects
Temperature: Room temperature is fine, growth will increase if temperature is a few degrees higher than room temp.
Hibernation: Yes
Air humidity: Moderate climate
Nest building: Natural; Soil, Rotting or decaying wood. Artificial; Pumice, Y-Tong, Plaster, Glass, ect.
Planting: Not Necessary - Formica will keep aphid herds if given the opportunity.
Class: Easy
Formica fusca is actually a group of ants that are so similar that one species name is often used. The only differences are normally the amount of hairs. Formica fusca is monomorphic, meaning they have only one caste of worker. These ants are often known as thatch or mound ants, as in the wild they build mounds of pine needles over their nest entrances. Formica fusca can and will spray formic acid as a defense, though not often is it used. Normally, mature colonies usually have 500-2,000 workers.
Formica fusca readily accept honey-water and insects.
Formica fusca start their colonies the same way as Lasius niger or Lasius neoniger do; virgin queens fly off to mate and found colonies. The queen then lands and begins constructing a chamber in soild. Once finished, she seals the chamber, and begins egg production.
Queens usually produce 3 to 8 nantics.
Mating flights range from the very beginning of summer until the start of September. Most commonly, the flights take place between June and August.
Queens usually pop up around 11 o'clock, and are found very quickly. Queens can easily be found throughout the day of the Nuptial Flights. They are quite shiny in the sunlight and do look somewhat like Lasius niger queens.
Formica are very neat and large ants that will flourish in a slimline farm or a basin. They also like artificial nests like pumice, plaster, and grout.
I recommend a small or medium sized slimline farm for them.
Formica are often kept in test tubes until the colony is at least 8 strong. Formica often build strong, large tunnels and chambers.
Tip: Honey-water is very readily accepted in this species. Make sure it is available to them as much as possible.
Formica fusca eat insects, nectar, honey, sugar water, and fruits. They also need access to fresh water at all times.
While Formica fusca can use formic acid, they rarely do so (Unlike their Formica rufa cousins). They are very easy to keep, and are suitable for kids 11 and up (In my opinion), depending on maturity level. F. fusca are very cautious ants who I often observe running in quick sprints. Petroleum Jelly/Vaseline is often used as an escape deterrant.
Formica fusca hibernate during the winter months. While not completely necessary, I advise that you hibernate a colony for at least a month or so, to give them a nice break.
Like in most temperate ants, hibernation is thought to lead to longer life-spans.
