{"product_id":"black-winnow-ant","title":"Aphaenogaster picea (Black Winnow Ant)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese ants are sold exclusively through our\u003cstrong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/canada-ant-colony.com\/pages\/partner-network\" title=\"Canada Ant Colony Partner Network\"\u003epartner network\u003c\/a\u003e. Shipping costs may be higher for orders that have this item. \u003c\/strong\u003eThis species also has\u003cstrong\u003e supercolonies. \u003c\/strong\u003eTo order colonies with multiple queens, order individual colonies here, and specify you want supercolonies in the \"Order notes\" section or by email.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eArguably the most popular flower in Ontario is the white trillium, and it's a shame that \u003cem\u003eAphaenogaster picea\u003c\/em\u003e, the Pitch-Black Collared Ant isn't just as popular, since it's a species which maintains a close relationship with province flower. \u003cem\u003eAphaenogaster picea\u003c\/em\u003e is an arboreal species that aids forests and woods in seed dispersal. Trilliums, and many other plants, like bloodroot and bleeding hearts, will grow seeds with 'elaiosomes'. which are fatty structures made to attract these ants. Once an \u003cem\u003eAphaenogaster picea\u003c\/em\u003e worker stumbles upon it, it carries the seed down into the nest, where it begins growing into a new plant. These ants have a dark red\/brown coloration, and are separated from other \u003cem\u003eAphaenogaster\u003c\/em\u003e by yellow tips on their antennae.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCheck out our \u003ca title=\"Winnow Ant Care Sheet\" href=\"https:\/\/canada-ant-colony.com\/blogs\/articles\/aphaenogaster-occidentalis-care-sheet\"\u003ecare sheet on Winnow Ants here\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey do best under 30-50% humidity and 24-27 degrees Celsius. They do best with a substrate as they have no social stomach and need something to soak up liquids. Workers are 4-6mm while queens are 7-8mm. Although relatively slow-growing, they do considerably better in groups and when fed lots of insect protein\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese queens are captive bred, and we can guarantee their fertility\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWild pictures come from Max Hike :) Follow him on Instagram at @maxhikephotography\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubstitute Species\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis product contains several species, as follows.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Aphaenogaster picea (Black Winnow Ant)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Aphaenogaster occidentalis (Western Winnow Ant)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCare, behaviour, and appearance between the two species is very similar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTypically, Aphaenogaster occidentalis (Western Winnow Ants) are slightly wider than Aphaenogaster picea (Black Collared Ants). While Aphaenogaster occidentalis ranges in Western North America, Black Collared Ants are native to most of Eastern North America.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are looking for a specific species, you can request it in the notes section, but they are otherwise nearly identical in care and range. Otherwise, you will receive a random one.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eShipping Conditions\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #e25041; font-size: 18px;\"\u003eHey! This is a live product. If you are purchasing ants during the winter months, please remember to purchase the \"Winter Shipping (Live Guarantee) (72 hour heat pack + 1 inch foam cushion)\" in order to guarantee the order. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #e25041; font-size: 18px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLive Guarantee Policy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"isPasted\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; color: #333232; margin: 0px 0px 19.4444px; font-family: Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"\u003eIf live insects arrive cold or flooded please handle with care. Many of these colonies typically pop back up within a few hours. All DOA claims must be made within 24 hours after receiving your insects. Any order with a unacceptable mortality rate, but with a viable colony (e.g. less workers than in the range advertised, less queens or workers than advertised) can be compensated with store credit equal to the loss of value in the shipment, including shipping and extra packaging. Any order with DOAs, but which do not fall out of the initially advertised\/promised range of workers will NOT be compensated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; color: #333232; margin: 0px 0px 19.4444px; font-family: Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"\u003eDOA claims which are a total loss will be re-shipped 1 more time FREE of charge with photographic evidence. Orders where shipping is more than 30% of the total value of the order will be refunded proportionally to the loss of value in the shipment, INCLUDING test tube inserts which are purchased with the colony.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; color: #333232; margin: 0px 0px 19.4444px; font-family: Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"\u003eWe guarantee live arrival on Xpresspost and priority shipments, as well as pickup and local delivery. Only orders that are accepted on the first delivery attempt will be eligible for DOA credit, no exceptions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; color: #333232; margin: 0px 0px 19.4444px; font-family: Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"\u003eLive guarantee is VOID if you choose expedited shipping. In the winter, it is VOID if no extra packing is purchased. Fertility guarantee claims or live guarantee claims made within the month after arrival must be made with a timestamped photo of BOTH the queen alive upon arrival AND a timestamped photo of the dead specimens.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; color: #333232; margin: 0px 0px 19.4444px; font-family: Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"\u003eExpedited shipping can be a budget friendly method but does not always have the best results. If your order is going to be in transit more than 3 business days please do not choose this method or choose at your own risk.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; color: #333232; margin: 0px 0px 19.4444px; font-family: Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"\u003eDURING THE WINTER MONTHS WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO HOLD BACK SHIPMENTS IF WE DECIDE ITS TOO COLD TO SHIP.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; color: #333232; margin: 0px 0px 19.4444px; font-family: Helvetica, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"\u003ePlease note that orders to outdoor community mail boxes, or other outdoor locations void our live guarantee. If your address consists of an outdoor mail box or location, please make arrangements to have the order delivered to a friends house, or to your place of employment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust a warning, we will NOT ship live ants into the US unless the receiver has a permit. If such an order is made, it will be refunded, minus a 10% processing fee and restocking fee\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis product is from Canada Ant Colony. The full catalogue, including all variants, can be found at https:\/\/canada-ant-colony.com\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 id=\"isPasted\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor US Ant Keepers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWe can't ship live ants to the US, but we've partnered with \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.statesideants.com\/?ref=DOWNTHEANTHILL\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStateside Ants\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e to help spread ant keeping. They're a highly reputable ant store and ship to all states in the lower 48. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou can check them out \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.statesideants.com\/?ref=DOWNTHEANTHILL\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehere\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e and use code DTAHAFFIL for 10% off\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Canada Ant Colony","offers":[{"title":"Queen","offer_id":21310285938765,"sku":"CAC-APH-PIC-00","price":36.49,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Queen + 1-5 workers","offer_id":21310643339341,"sku":"CAC-APH-PIC-01","price":44.49,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Queen + 5-10 workers","offer_id":21310646222925,"sku":"CAC-APH-PIC-05","price":51.49,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Queen + 10-25 workers","offer_id":21310656381005,"sku":"CAC-APH-PIC-10","price":68.49,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 Queen + 25-50 workers (Supercolony)","offer_id":21310658248781,"sku":"CAC-APH-PIC-25","price":129.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 Queen + 50-100 workers (Supercolony)","offer_id":21310661296205,"sku":"CAC-APH-PIC-50","price":319.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 Queen + 100-250 workers (Supercolony)","offer_id":47944147730654,"sku":null,"price":609.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0081\/8928\/0333\/files\/aphaenogaster-picea-black-winnow-ant-943505.jpg?v=1729700790","url":"https:\/\/canada-ant-colony.com\/pa\/products\/black-winnow-ant","provider":"Canada Ant Colony","version":"1.0","type":"link"}