Ant Food Database

Which ant species accept a given food? Ranked by community ratings — most liked first.

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Photo: Drägüs CC BY-SA 3.0

Argentine Wood Roach (Blaptica dubia)

Popular and easy-to-breed feeder roach with a soft body and no climbing ability, making it hard for it to escape smooth-walled containers. Available in a wide range of sizes across its life stages, making it suitable for many ant species. Has a fairly hard exoskeleton, so cutting it open is recommended when feeding smaller colonies.
Net score: 2 2 votes across 2 speciess
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Photo: Michael Linnenbach CC BY-SA 4.0

Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria)

Large, protein-rich feeder insect available in a wide range of sizes from tiny hoppers to full-grown adults, making it easy to match to colony size. Strong hind legs allow them to jump powerfully, so keeping them contained before feeding is recommended. Best offered freshly killed, as the tough exoskeleton and jumping ability can make live adults difficult prey.
Net score: 1 1 vote across 1 species
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House Cricket (Acheta domesticus)

Popular and highly accepted feeder insect across most ant species. Available in a range of sizes, making it easy to match prey size to colony size. Best offered freshly killed or pre-crushed for smaller species, as live crickets can injure ants or escape into the formicarium.
Net score: 2 2 votes across 2 speciess
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Housefly (Musca domestica)

Common feeder fly, usually bred in flightless ("curly-wing") strains for safe use in formicaria. Good all-round protein source; larvae (maggots) can be offered too.
Net score: 4 4 votes across 4 speciess
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Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa)

Large feeder roach with a notably thicker exoskeleton than Argentine wood roaches, so cutting it open before feeding is essential. Due to their considerable size, best suited for large colonies with a high protein demand. Nymphs can be used for smaller colonies, though cutting is still recommended.
Net score: 2 2 votes across 2 speciess
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Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)

Larval stage of the mealworm beetle, widely available and easy to store. A good staple protein source for larger ant species; the tough exoskeleton can be harder for smaller species to open, so crushing or cutting is recommended for them. Pupae and adult beetles can also be offered.
Net score: 1 1 vote across 1 species
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Photo: Holger Krisp CC BY-SA 3.0

Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria)

Similar in use to the desert locust but generally smaller and slightly easier to handle. Widely bred as feeder insect due to good availability across sizes, from hoppers to adults. As with desert locusts, strong jumping legs mean live adults should be secured or pre-killed before feeding to smaller colonies.
Net score: 4 4 votes across 4 speciess
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Red Runner Roach (Shelfordella lateralis)

Also known as the "chocolate roach" due to their coloring. Fast-moving and quite active, so best offered freshly killed to prevent them fleeing or harassing the colony. Thinner exoskeleton than Blaptica dubia or Madagascar hissing roaches, making them easier prey without extra preparation for many ant species.
Net score: 3 3 votes across 3 speciess
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Silent Field Cricket (Gryllus assimilis)

Also known as the Jamaican field cricket. Larger and more robust than house crickets, making it well suited as prey for bigger ant species. Much quieter than other cricket species, which makes it a more pleasant choice for keeping as feeder stock at home.
Net score: 2 2 votes across 2 speciess
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Photo: Holleday CC BY 3.0

Two-Spotted Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus)

Also known as the Mediterranean field cricket. Large, robust cricket species commonly used as feeder insect, similar in size to Gryllus assimilis. Widely available and easy to breed, though its size makes it best suited for medium to large ant species; pre-crushing or cutting is recommended for smaller colonies.
Net score: 1 1 vote across 1 species
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