What Do UK Ants Eat? A British Ant Keeper Expert's Guide to Ant Diets

British ants are among the most adaptable creatures in their ecosystem. They eat almost anything. A large, 50-year-old red wood ant colony in southern England can catch up to 100,000 insects each day. These resourceful omnivores eat both plants and animals to survive.

Britain's got exactly 51 types of ants, including local ones, some that only hang out in the Channel Islands, and a few that have been brought in and prefer warmer spots.

Each ant species possesses a distinct diet and method of foraging. The black garden ant (Lasius niger) is notable for its exceptionally almost 30 years long lifespan, distinguishing it among the 15,800 identified ant species. Experts estimate that the actual number of species may exceed 22,000. The highest diversity of ant species is observed in tropical regions.

Some ants act as nature's cleanup crew and feed on any dead creature found around, like birds and mice. Sugar attracts most ant species, but their menu goes way beyond sweet treats. Different species eat plants, seeds, and other insects based on what's available in their environment. Army ants can eat a whole cow for 48 hours.

This article offers an in-depth examination of the dietary habits of various UK ant species in their natural environments. It provides insights into their feeding behaviours and offers guidance on the appropriate nutrition for pet ants kept at home. The information presented here elucidates the reasons behind the appearance of garden ants at picnics and advises on how to provide an optimal diet for your ant colony. These remarkable insects exhibit truly fascinating eating habits.

What UK ants eat in the wild?

Ants are amazing omnivores, eagerly munching on both plant and animal matter! British ants adapt remarkably well to different food sources in their natural habitats.

Most ant species eat almost anything they can find, unlike other insects that stick to specific foods—their diet changes based on what's available, the season, and what the colony needs.

Sugary foods: nectar, fruit, honeydew

Worker ants need carbohydrates as fuel for their daily activities and colony upkeep. Wood ants get up to 90% of their diet from honeydew, a sweet liquid like Ant Nectar that comes from aphids. This sugar-rich food is so valuable that ants protect aphids from predators, much like farmers tending to their livestock.

UK ant species actively look for:

• Nectar from flowering plants

• Overripe fruits, which provide concentrated sugars

• Tree sap contains essential carbohydrates

Ants know exactly what they like when it comes to sugar. They usually prefer sucrose over glucose and fructose. The black garden ant (Lasius niger) loves sweet things so much that you'll often spot them at picnics and in kitchens across Britain.

Protein sources: insects, carrion, meat

Colonies need protein to grow, especially for their larvae and egg production. UK ants mostly feed on soft-bodied mites, insects, fly and beetle larvae, and springtails. Myrmica species, including M. rubra, really enjoy eating spiders. Lasius niger and Lasius Flavus don't share the same enthusiasm for arachnids, but will eat them if needed.

British ants are skilled scavengers. They collect protein from dead animals, including birds and mice. This smart approach lets colonies get plenty of food without hunting. The red wood ant of southern England (Formica rufa) shows impressive hunting skills - a 10-year-old colony can bring in up to 100,000 small insects each day.

Plant-based foods: seeds, sap, fungi

Some ant species eat more than just sweet things. Lasius alienus collects seeds from dwarf gorse plants (Ulex minor), while Lasius niger sometimes eats parts of viola and primula seeds. These ants don't eat the whole seed - they focus on the stalks and caruncle that contain edible oils.

Leafcutter ants, though not found in the UK, grow their own fungi. They use chewed leaves placed in special "gardens" inside their nests. This farming technique gives them access to nutrients they couldn't get otherwise.

Cannibalism and scavenging behaviour

Ants sometimes eat members of their own or other colonies at certain times. Many British ants hunt large female flying ants in summer as a protein source. This behaviour helps colonies survive despite seeming harsh.

Cannibalism serves more purposes than just nutrition. Fire ants turn to eating their own larvae when they need more protein, which helps balance the colony's diet. It also helps control disease spread by removing infected ants.

Dracula ants feed on their larvae! This is called "Non-destructive Cannibalism": One notable aspect of their feeding habits is their consumption of hemolymph from their own larvae, a behaviour referred to as "social stomach". While this may seem harsh, it does not harm their larvae.

Scavenging plays a vital role in how ants feed. Research shows ants find and collect dead insects faster than other scavengers. This becomes especially important when food gets scarce, and more workers die during these tough times. Hungry colonies carry their dead nestmates back home faster than well-fed ones, which suggests they rely more on cannibalism during food shortages.

Feeding habits and how ants find food

Ant colonies work with amazing efficiency because they have smart ways to find food. These small insects use complex systems that help them find, collect and share food with incredible accuracy throughout their communities.

Pheromone trails and scent detection

An ant's antennae have four to five times more odour receptors than other insects. This gives them an amazing sense of smell that helps them find food successfully. Their enhanced smell helps them detect food even when there's just a tiny amount present.

When an ant finds food, it shares the news with others. It leaves a chemical trail of pheromones as it heads back to the nest, which creates a scented path other ants can follow. This system works through several key parts:

• Trail strength - Most big-headed ants make strong-smelling trails that almost 90% of their fellow ants can follow correctly at intersections

• Decay rates - Different species have pheromone trails that fade at different speeds - some last just minutes, while others stay for days

• Multiple pheromones - Species like Monomorium pharaonis use both long-lasting and quick-fading pheromones to keep their food gathering organised

The black garden ant (Lasius niger) shows impressive skills in following trails and can change how much pheromone it leaves based on food quality. These ants can also remember routes after just a few trips to food sources. They usually trust these memories more than pheromone trails when the two don't match up.

Foraging roles in the colony

Worker ants in colonies have different jobs. They find food for their colony's queens, male ants (aka drones) and young. These workers make choices based on what they learn from other ants and what they know from their own experience.

Some ants work as scouts to look for new food, while others respond to signals about food that's already been found. Scout ants of the Formica species seem to tell other ants specific details about where food is through their antennae.

Trophallaxis (aka the ant kiss) plays a vital role in feeding the colony. This process involves ants passing food from one to another. Foraging ants with full social stomachs feed larvae and other ants small amounts using their mouths.

Day vs Night feeding patterns

People might think all ants work during the day, but many species prefer specific times to look for food. Workers often search for food at night between sunset and midnight during spring and summer. They can travel up to 100 yards from their nest.

The nectar-eating Camponotus ant workers usually look for food at night, though they sometimes come out during the day. These ants become much more active around feeding times when food is limited, whether it's day or night.

Nurse ants stay busy around the clock, which shows how different roles in the colony need different schedules. Things like food availability and weather affect these patterns, letting colonies adjust to changes in their environment. The overnight foraging ants are excitingly known as "nocturnal"!

Species-specific diets of UK ants

UK ant species have developed specialised eating priorities based on where they live and their roles in nature. Each species shows unique feeding behaviours that showcase their natural progress.

Lasius niger diet (black garden ants)

Black garden ants are everywhere and show flexible feeding habits. Their attention is drawn to sugary substances, and they actively "farm" aphids. They protect these insects to get their sweet honeydew secretions. These ants love melezitose and raffinose sugars, which make them feed longer and mark stronger trails.

These ants require protein to support the growth of their colony. In captivity, they eagerly consume fruit flies, mealworms, crickets, and small pieces of meat. Their adaptable diet is the reason they are frequently spotted at picnics or in kitchens searching for sweet treats. The optimal food for them, offering a combination of carbs and proteins, is the Best Ants UK Protein Jelly.

Myrmica rubra and red ants

The European fire ant (Myrmica rubra) shows more aggressive eating habits and specific food choices. These ants can detect sucrose, maltose, raffinose, and melezitose at lower levels than glucose and fructose. This suggests they have an advanced sugar detection system.

Protein is a vital part of their diet. Workers hunt various arthropods actively. These ants need lots of protein in captivity and are happy to eat insects, meat, and eggs. Research shows M. rubra workers who ate essential amino acids without larvae lived much shorter lives than those who ate non-essential amino acids. This suggests some amino acids might be toxic when eaten alone.

The optimal food for them, offering a combination of carbs and proteins, is the Best Ants UK Cricket Mash.

Messor barbarus diet (harvester ants)

We know harvester ants as seed collectors and storers. These expert foragers turn seeds into a nutritious paste called "ant bread" that feeds the whole colony. Seeds make up about 70% of what they eat, including flaxseed, grass seed, rapeseed, and chia seed.

It is strongly advised against purchasing bird seeds to feed your Messor ants, as these seeds are frequently contaminated or may contain blood-sucking mites, posing a significant threat to your ant colony. Instead, buy ant seed mix exclusively from reputable ant-keeping suppliers within the UK.

Young colonies do better with pre-crushed seeds until they have bigger workers who can handle tougher seeds. In stark comparison to this, adding some protein and carbohydrates to their seed diet helps colonies grow better.

Formica rufa and wood ants

Wood ants use amazing food strategies that centre on their relationship with aphids. One mature colony can eat a quarter-tonne of honeydew each year. This sugary substance gives them most of their energy.

These ants also hunt other arthropods, especially when they need more protein to feed larvae. Studies show a medium-sized Formica polyctena colony can eat about 6.1 million animals in one season. This shows their impressive hunting skills.

Lasius flavus and underground foragers

Yellow meadow ants live mostly underground and rarely come to the surface. They get their food mainly from root-feeding aphids that they develop in their complex tunnel systems. This unique feeding approach sets them apart from ants that search for food on the surface.

These ants still eat many types of food. They add small invertebrates from their soil homes to their honeydew diet. When kept in captivity, they keep taking sugar water, honey, and protein sources like mealworms or insects on a regular schedule.

Feeding pet ants: what to give and how often

Your pet ants need proper nutrition and feeding habits to stay healthy. A good diet will stimulate colony growth and help you avoid common health problems that new ant keepers face.

Best foods for captive ants

Ants in captivity need a balanced diet with carbs for energy and protein to grow. Sugar water mixed in a 3:1 water-to-sugar ratio works great for carbs. You can also use an ant honey or pieces of fruit like a banana or grapes. The best proteins come from insects that ants would eat in nature. Here are some good options:

• Pet shop live mealworms, waxworms and crickets (kill them first for smaller colonies)

• Fruit flies that work well for smaller species

• Flies or spiders, and other insects you've just killed

• Plain cooked egg yolk, chicken or tuna with no seasoning

Just make sure your feeders come from sources that don't use pesticides to avoid poisoning your ants.

Feeding frequency and portion size

Small colonies with up to a dozen workers need food every 2-3 days. Larger colonies might need daily feeding. New colonies only need a sugar water drop and 1-3 fruit flies every three days. You should increase portions as your colony gets bigger.

The golden rule? Watch how your ants eat and adjust their portions. Too many ants are crowding the food means they need more. Food they ignore means you're giving too much.

Using protein jelly and Cricket Mash as alternatives

Protein jelly and Cricket mash work great when you can't get fresh insects. It is way cheaper and skips all the mess and smell of the live food. These special jellies can keep colonies healthy for 1-3 months and last up to 6 months unopened and refrigerated. You can buy ant food from Best Ants UK (https://www.bestantsuk.com) to get quality protein jellies with essential nutrients.

Note that jellies should add variety to your ants' diet rather than replace fresh protein completely.

Safe feeding practices and hygiene

Give small amounts of food to stop mould from growing. Take away uneaten food within 24-48 hours before harmful bacteria start growing. Use test tubes with cotton plugs for water instead of open dishes that might drown your ants.

Harvester ant Camponotus nts hate open water and will cover up any water dispenser with substrate within hours. Clean feeding areas often. All experienced ant-keepers put food in special foraging areas (outworlds) instead of nesting chambers.

Special dietary needs of queens and larvae

Worker ants need energy-rich food to keep them going, while the larvae are all about that protein for growing up strong. Ant colonies have their own special diet needs that shift depending on their role and stage in life. Queens and larvae munch on different stuff than the worker ants and have specific feeding routines to thrive.

Protein for larvae development

Larvae act as protein-processing centres in the colony. Worker ants gather protein-rich foods specifically for larvae to eat, as these young ants need substantial protein to grow properly. The larvae's growth slows down without enough protein, which affects the colony's ability to produce new workers, soldiers, or reproductive ants.

Research shows that proteins go mainly to larvae for their growth, while workers keep carbohydrates longer to stay active. The larvae serve as digestive organs that process protein for the entire colony.

Queen's diet during colony founding

Queens need protein to produce eggs, which makes it crucial for colony reproduction. Different species have varying nutritional needs when starting colonies. Queens who are fully claustral use stored body reserves, while semi-claustral queens must search for food during this risky time.

Studies reveal that queens who get weekly protein (especially cricket-based food) can produce 40% more original workers in some species. Interestingly, diets rich in carbohydrates can boost social immunity in certain ant species.

Feeding methods inside the nest

Food moves through the nest in a hierarchy based on nutritional needs. Adult ants drink only liquids and share these nutrient-rich fluids through trophallaxis—mouth-to-mouth feeding. This special feeding method helps distribute nutrients precisely throughout the colony.

Different ant species supervise feeding in various ways. Some larvae can feed directly on prey by themselves, while others depend completely on nurse workers who feed them regurgitated liquids. You can buy ant food from Best Ants UK that's made specifically for these special feeding needs, which helps ensure proper nutrition for both queens and growing larvae.

Conclusion

British ants show amazing flexibility in what they eat. These tiny creatures thrive in all kinds of ecosystems. The sugar-loving Lasius niger and seed-collecting Messor barbarus showcase how well ants adapt their eating habits.

They find food through clever methods like pheromone trails, up to 200 meters long, and specialised foraging teams. This explains why they've become such successful colonisers.

British ant colonies need both carbohydrates for energy and protein to grow. Honeydew from aphids gives them vital energy, while insects and small invertebrates supply the protein they need. Each species has developed its own food priorities based on where it lives. Most ants can quickly switch their diet when they need to.

Antkeeping hobbyists must know these dietary needs to keep their colonies healthy. Good nutrition substantially affects how colonies develop. Queens and larvae have special nutritional requirements. Colonies grow best when keepers give them the right mix of sugary foods and protein sources at the right times.

These industrious insects work as nature's cleanup crew. They break down organic matter and keep insect populations in check. Their eating habits help keep ecosystems healthy. These incredible insects are far more than mere picnic raiders or garden pests! We should truly appreciate and value their hard work and the vital role they play in supporting our environment.

Watch an ant trail sometime. You'll see them carrying tiny bits of food back home. The sort of thing we love is their complex understanding of nutrition that guides what they do. These unique insects have fine-tuned their eating habits over millions of years. They've created systems that we humans still study and admire today.

Key Takeaways

Understanding ant diets reveals fascinating insights into these remarkable creatures' survival strategies and provides essential knowledge for successful antkeeping.

• UK ants are opportunistic omnivores requiring both carbohydrates (honeydew, ant nectar) for energy and protein (insects, meat, protein jelly and cricket mash) for colony growth and development.

• Ants use sophisticated pheromone trails and possess 4-5 times more odour receptors than other insects, making them exceptionally efficient food finders.

• Different British species have distinct dietary preferences: Lasius n. favours sugary substances, whilst Messor barbarus specialises in seed collection and storage.

• Pet ants need balanced feeding every 2-3 days with diluted sugar water for energy and fresh insects for protein, with portions adjusted to colony size.

• Queens and larvae have specialised nutritional needs, with larvae requiring substantial protein for development and queens needing protein-rich diets for egg production.

Proper understanding of ant nutrition not only supports successful antkeeping but also highlights these creatures' vital ecological role as nature's cleanup crew and ecosystem engineers.

FAQs

Q1. What do ants typically eat in the UK? UK ants have a diverse diet. They primarily consume soft-bodied insects, larvae, and springtails. They also have a fondness for sugary substances like nectar and honeydew from aphids. Some species, like Myrmica rubra, are known to prey on spiders as well.

Q2. How do ants locate their food? Ants use sophisticated methods to find food. They have an exceptional sense of smell, with four to five times more odour receptors than most insects. When a worker ant discovers food, it leaves a pheromone trail for other ants to follow. Some species can even form accurate route memories after just a few trips to a food source.

Q3. What should I feed my pet ants? Pet ants thrive on a balanced diet of carbohydrates and protein. Offer them diluted sugar water (3:1 water-to-sugar ratio) or ant honey for energy. For protein, provide small insects like mealworms or fruit flies, or protein jelly and cricket mash. Adjust portion sizes based on your colony's size and consumption patterns.

Q4. Do different ant species have different dietary preferences? Yes, dietary preferences vary among ant species. For instance, black garden ants (Lasius niger) are particularly drawn to sugary substances, while harvester ants (Messor barbarus) primarily collect and store seeds. Wood ants (Formica rufa) have a significant relationship with aphids, consuming large amounts of honeydew.

Q5. How often should I feed my ant colony? Feeding frequency depends on the size of your colony. Small colonies (up to a dozen workers) typically need feeding every 2-3 days, while larger colonies may require daily feeding. For newly established colonies, offering a single drop of ant honey and a small amount of protein jelly every three days is usually sufficient. Always observe your ants' consumption patterns and adjust accordingly.