Within the ant hobbyist community, there exists a veritable treasure trove of exciting research and opportunities for collaboration. For entomologists, many organisms are difficult to rear for multi-year periods. Ants within the genus Camponotus are particularly challenging as many colonies reared by both hobbyists and researchers fail to survive past a single year in captivity. However, some ant-keepers are able to expand these colonies into multi-year behemoths that become prized pets displayed in expensive formicaria. What is the reason behind this stark difference in survival? We explore the history of rearing Camponotus in captivity and the unique adaptations these ants have in the wild. In particular, we discuss the role of symbiotes in allowing hobbyists to maintain Camponotus colonies successfully. Some hobbyists have refined their rearing techniques over many years, keeping detailed records. The hobbyist ant-keeper community could be an invaluable resource for researchers, and we hope this talk can encourage collaboration between the two groups.
.jpg "Armando Rosario-Lebron photo")