The Ant Collection.

     There are about 10.000 known species of ants. But the people that really know ants and are really interested in their biology and life styles are very few. Only the more spectacular species, like the wood ants, weaver ants, honey pots and leaf cutters (and let us not forget the fire ants) are known. And, for that matter, program makers and/or writers that even pay attention to ants once in a while only focus on those particular species.
      For the last few years now I have tried to collect as many ant species as possible. Not individual ants, for pinning and for taxonomical study (although this is a very useful and necessary part of ant studies), but whole colonies. I try to construct the best possible nesting setup for them, while trying to find out their feeding behaviour and requirements.

     All this for the following:

1. Find out what the basic requirements are for every species: nest construction,     environmental    conditions (temperature, humidity,), food and space requirements.

2. Study their overall behaviour as a colony.

3. Investigate what the conditions are, necessary to grow to maximum size and allow sexuals     to be produced.

4. if the collection is big and diverse enough (and we are far from that, for the moment), set up     a big exposition about "The Secret life of Ants" (or something like that)

    Of course, to accomplish this, I'm in constant need of all sorts of ants. Not only the spectacular ones (although they will have to function as "eye-catchers"), but any species will do. Every species has something interesting to talk about, even the most inconspicuous ones.

     For the moment, the collection contains only 10 different species. But, as I said, I just started….
     If anyone is interested in sending ants: collecting and shipping has to be done "by the book"; collecting and/or export permits have to be obtained. An import permit for ants into Belgium is not (yet) required. Shipping costs (if not to high) will be paid by me, but I make it "company policy" not to buy ants. Every colony's got to have it's own "story"… Besides, I don't want to have part in any form of "colony robbery" and threatened species will not enter the collection unless all required permissions are obtained …

Peter Berx
Klameerstraat 11
B-3570 Belgium

Tel. + 32 11 596137
Peter.dien@belgacom.net
Peter.berx@contactoffice.be