{"title":"Ants","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"myrmica-rubra-3-queens-0-5-workers-brood","title":"Myrmica rubra (3 queens, 0-5 workers, brood)","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies Info:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGeneral:\u003c\/strong\u003e Known as the European Fire Ant, Myrmica rubra is a hardy and aggressive species. Colonies are \u003cstrong\u003epolygynous\u003c\/strong\u003e and can host multiple queens. Workers and queens are reddish-brown with a slightly darker head and gaster. Highly active and prolific when well-fed and warm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivorous, opportunistic feeders. They need \u003cstrong\u003eliquid sugars\u003c\/strong\u003e often and readily take proteins including mealworms, crickets, and cooked meats. 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Mature colonies develop impressive major workers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Liquid sugars (honey, sugar water) plus proteins such as fruit flies, crickets, and mealworms. Fruit flies are a favorite. Feed daily or every few days depending on colony size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best kept around \u003cstrong\u003e82°F\u003c\/strong\u003e using a heat mat, cable, or heated room for optimal growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiapause:\u003c\/strong\u003e Requires a \u003cstrong\u003e3-4 month\u003c\/strong\u003e cooling period at roughly 40°F. A wine cooler, mini-fridge, or unheated room above freezing works well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brood develops in \u003cstrong\u003e5-9 weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e, averaging 7-8 weeks. Queens lay eggs in batches. 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Workers and queens are reddish-brown with a slightly darker head and gaster. Highly active and prolific when well-fed and warm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivorous, opportunistic feeders. They need \u003cstrong\u003eliquid sugars\u003c\/strong\u003e often and readily take proteins including mealworms, crickets, and cooked meats. Food availability strongly drives colony growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thrives in moderate warmth without needing extreme heat. A \u003cstrong\u003e75-82°F\u003c\/strong\u003e range is ideal for brood development.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiapause:\u003c\/strong\u003e Requires a \u003cstrong\u003e3-4 month\u003c\/strong\u003e diapause around \u003cstrong\u003e40°F\u003c\/strong\u003e. Use a wine cooler, mini fridge, or an unheated area above freezing. Gradual cooling over a week is recommended.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brood develops in \u003cstrong\u003e5-7 weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e depending on heat and food. 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Unlike most ants, they’re most active in late fall, winter, and early spring, and often go quiet during hot summer weather. Workers are small, glossy, and range from amber-brown to dark brown. Queens are noticeably larger and can develop a swollen gaster when well-fed. Colonies may include replete-style workers that store fat reserves, giving the species its “false honeypot” reputation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivorous with a strong preference for liquid sugars and small protein sources. Offer sugar water, honey water, or nectar regularly, along with soft-bodied insects such as fruit flies, small crickets, roach nymphs, or cut mealworms. They benefit from steady feeding but should not be over-heated to force growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prefers cooler conditions than most commonly kept ants. A range of 60-72°F is suitable for regular activity, with slightly warmer room temperatures up to about 75°F tolerated. Avoid prolonged high heat, since this species naturally retreats deep underground during hot summers and may aestivate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiapause:\u003c\/strong\u003e Doesn’t follow a typical winter diapause like most temperate ants. Instead, \u003cem\u003ePrenolepis imparis\u003c\/em\u003e stays naturally active during cooler months and may enter a summer dormancy, or aestivation, when temperatures are too warm. Keep them cool and stable in captivity rather than adding strong heat. A cooler rest period during the hottest part of the year helps match their natural cycle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally slower and more seasonal than heat-loving species. Queens often found colonies steadily, but may pause brood production depending on temperature and season. 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Colonies are strongly polygynous and often thrive with multiple queens in one nest. Workers are small and brown with subtle sculpturing; queens are larger and more robust. This species is very active, aggressive toward other ants, and known for rapid expansion under good conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivorous and highly opportunistic. Constant access to liquid sugars such as honey or sugar water, plus protein sources like mealworms, crickets, and fruit flies, is essential. They aren’t picky and will accept a wide range of foods, including processed or cooked proteins. Frequent feeding drives explosive colony growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prefers warm conditions for optimal development. Ideal range is 75-86°F. Higher temperatures within that range significantly accelerate brood production.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiapause:\u003c\/strong\u003e Does not require diapause. This species stays active year-round when kept warm, which makes it ideal for continuous observation and growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very fast-growing. Brood can develop in as little as 3-5 weeks under ideal warmth and feeding. 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They’re cautious but fast movers and defend themselves by spraying formic acid when threatened. Formica fusca is a great pick for beginners thanks to its adaptability and relatively peaceful nature.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOmnivorous with a strong preference for liquid sugars such as honey water and sugar water. Protein sources like small insects (fruit flies, crickets, mealworms) are crucial for brood development. Regular, varied feeding keeps colonies healthier and growing faster.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFormica fusca survives across a wide range but thrives best with supplemental heat, ideally \u003cstrong\u003e72–82°F\u003c\/strong\u003e (22–28°C). Normal room temperature usually works, but added heat noticeably speeds up brood development.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiapause:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis species \u003cstrong\u003erequires a winter diapause\u003c\/strong\u003e of roughly \u003cstrong\u003e3-4 months\u003c\/strong\u003e around \u003cstrong\u003e39–45°F\u003c\/strong\u003e (4–7°C). Achieve it in a wine cooler, mini fridge, or another stable cool environment. Cool gradually to mimic natural seasonal transitions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrood develops in \u003cstrong\u003e6–8 weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e from egg to worker, depending on temperature and nutrition. Colonies tend to grow slowly in year one, typically reaching \u003cstrong\u003e50–100 workers\u003c\/strong\u003e, and expand steadily to several hundred over time with good care. 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They are slender, brown to dark brown ants, sometimes with a slightly reddish tint on the thorax. Workers are agile, fast, and keenly aware of their environment. They aren’t aggressive toward humans but defend themselves well when disturbed. \u003cstrong\u003eFormica serviformica\u003c\/strong\u003e is a great pick for hobbyists who enjoy active foraging behavior and a hardy nature. In the wild, they sometimes act as hosts for temporary social parasites like Formica rufibarbis or Formica sanguinea, which adds an interesting biological angle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormica serviformica is highly omnivorous. They eagerly take liquid sugars such as honey water, sugar water, and syrup solutions. For optimal brood development, offer regular protein feedings. Small insects like fruit flies, mealworms, crickets, and roaches all work well. 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Queens are moderately sized, and workers show a glossy dark brown to black color, sometimes with faint reddish highlights on the thorax. Colonies defend themselves quickly and display noticeable aggression toward intruders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivorous, with a strong preference for sugars and live prey. They accept honey water, sugar solutions, and proteins such as fruit flies, crickets, mealworms, and other small insects. Extra protein drives rapid brood development and larger worker populations, while sugars fuel foraging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best kept between 70–82°F. They tolerate cooler temperatures well but prefer stable warmth during the main growth season. Activity drops in cold conditions, but they remain resilient in temperate climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiapause:\u003c\/strong\u003e Essential for sustained colony health. 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Colonies can reach \u003cstrong\u003ehundreds of workers in the first year\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eseveral thousand over time\u003c\/strong\u003e under good conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"AntFarmsCanada","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47961395331177,"sku":"Formica subsericea","price":15.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0787\/3160\/8169\/files\/61f6b639-Gemini_Generated_Image_nedg36nedg36nedg-scaled.png?v=1787962415"},{"product_id":"camponotus-modoc-queen-0-5-workers-eggs","title":"Camponotus modoc (queen, 0-5 workers, eggs)","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies Info:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGeneral:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to keep in captivity, sugar-loving, and slow-growing but very rewarding. Mature colonies develop impressive major workers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Liquid sugars (honey, sugar water) plus proteins such as fruit flies, crickets, and mealworms. Fruit flies are a favorite. Feed daily or every few days depending on colony size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best kept around \u003cstrong\u003e82°F\u003c\/strong\u003e using a heat mat, cable, or heated room for optimal growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiapause:\u003c\/strong\u003e Requires a \u003cstrong\u003e3-4 month\u003c\/strong\u003e cooling period at roughly 40°F. A wine cooler, mini-fridge, or unheated room above freezing works well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brood develops in \u003cstrong\u003e5-9 weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e, averaging 7-8 weeks. Queens lay eggs in batches. 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