THE ANT TIER LIST

Make your own Ant Tier List: tiermaker.com/create/ants-the...
Disclaimer: We love European ant keepers (and Cephalotes)! Thanks for taking the brunt of a few of our jokes in this one -- think of it as payback for years of flexing Y-Tong on us from across the pond!
Instagram: / theantnetwork
Facebook: / theantnetwork
Twitter: / antnetworksm
Many Images by Alex Wild
www.alexanderwild.com
Illustrations by Jen Schlauch

[@MinigunL5]

Screw my homework. The Ant Network just released a new video!

[@MinigunL5]

@Petr Dankov no

[@TheAntNetwork]

It's just the right thing to do

[@antssoutheast3509]

@@MinigunL5 Lol RIP Petr Dankov

[@francisrieuants6286]

Same as to me

[@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique]

Homework? What is this? Your teacher too lazy to teach? 😤 🤣

[@jolanl1919]

I can confirm that Myrmecia stop to look at me when I enter my room but they also turn themselves to track my movements accurately!

[@valentinaalex1262]

You must be great friends!

[@fitipapani9805]

mine also

[@Natural_Power]

The turtle ant rating will hurt for months to come

[@SuperZechs]

Three years later. Still painful. 36 months and counting

[@AntLab]

Excellent

[@IsBorAnts]

Male ants can definitely survive longer than couple of weeks as long as they are cared for by the colony. Camponotus species over here keep males around for 9-10 months before they have flights early summer.

[@nickanting8770]

Australia has some of what I like to call "Poor Man's Daceton" which are Epopostruma. Also, Lasius fulignosus were very upset with the ranking of Lasius :D.

[@patricoctavianmit9476]

1:31 “taken over all continents of the United States “

[@patricoctavianmit9476]

1:20

[@mickster287]

Bout time someone did a video like this !! So glad you're the one to do it

[@Daniel.E.S]

That was a cool and funny video lol I’m wondering if you guys could make a video where you try to keep aphids in an ant setup, and make a tutorial how to keep them in an ant setup😁

[@Dwarfgourami]

Thats a great idea

[@Daniel.E.S]

@@Dwarfgourami Yeah, I know right😁😁

[@cut-zonevideos406]

Such a good video. This channel is SO UNDERATED! Absolutely the best ant content on the internet!

[@myrmecologistjp9228]

I won't disagree that Europe doesn't have that many species (around 450) compared to places such as the USA (794 according to antwiki). But even then arround 450 isn't that little, I managed to find 25 to 30 different species last summer in Spain and here in the UK I found around 8 species, so it isn't that bad.

[@javierhillier4252]

we got some cool ones here in southern France messor barbarus

[@spacejesus4541]

im lucky in australia with over 1100

[@flamesofgames3986]

@@spacejesus4541well we actually have 1300+ described but far less documentation than everywhere else. I know of at least 6 species of bull ant in my area undescribed, and a lot of the species here likely aren’t described either. In my opinion our ants are way cooler than that of the US but since no one lives here they are often overlooked.

[@denhambad]

I have found 12 ant species in the UK Lasius Niger Lasius Flavus Lasius Emarginatus Lasius Umbratus Formica Fusca Formica Cinerea Formica Rufibarbis Formica Rufa Myrmecina Gramicinola Tetramorium Caespiteum Temnothorax Nylanderia Myrmica Rubra

[@platformsixteen3166]

I'm Impressed! I'm in the UK and have only ever been able to see Lasius and Myrmica. Where are you located in the UK?

[@denhambad]

@@platformsixteen3166 Kent but I mostly see Lasius and the odd myrmecina worker .

[@snakeoctavia]

I have a decent sized tapinoma colony, they came in with my outside plants so I just put the plant, colony and all, inside an outworld and let them settle themselves.

[@Mateusz-sq9ox]

Pheidole spp. are one of the most intersting genus of ants. They are very agressive, polymorphic and they can inbreeding in nests. They deserve "A" tier.

[@missydavis6678]

Love your upscale half comical intro with the suit and tie.😆

[@cortneylovesbugs]

22:21 is the most hilarious part of this whole video. The heartfelt exasperation SENT ME!

[@daniellaterrero1819]

Carabara is s tier no one can change my mind

[@Rorther]

I've found a green ant like that in Brazil, but she was "fatter" and more compact. But now you say it only exists in Australia? I wonder if it wasn't a ant, or some kind of wasp. I might have a low resolution picture if you are interested. I do have a small colony of trapjaw-ants and i love them! Really safe to keep, since they can't climb and they act like Lions while hunting. So cool.

[@TmanMoneymanISSUPREME]

Weaver ants exist in Asia and Africa aswell but not in South America, so maybe you found a different ant or a wasp

[@justyourordinarytom6528]

You saved yourself with the ligniperda otherwise the european squad would raid you XD

[@kujofn.8220]

Ive seen you on a ant keeping discord chat i dont know if that was you but ive watched your wooden ant farm which was great!

[@walkerrussell1260]

Absolutely fantastic video

[@bogdanradivojevic9108]

Maxer do u have any tips on strumigenys

[@PatikornVII]

Awesome! Do you know how to make 2 or 3 colonies of ants to breed with one another in captivity?

[@jamesd5366]

Any army ant species is my favorite, and I've never even seen one in real life

[@antsandpets]

i would have put honeypot ants in S rank also i agree with your placement of the acorn ants I actually recently stumbled upon an acorn ant colony they were living in a hollowed out peanut shell. overall great video :)

[@jamesd5366]

I love my Camponotus casteneus colonies in my yard. They are a lot of fun to observe when theyre active.

[@UntilxThexSunxDies]

I have found ants that smeel like lemon when smashed and ants that smeel like piss when smashed. Both small and black and live in trees

[@Dwarfgourami]

I think one of the best ants are Polyergus, they look amazing, and what they do and how they are capable of doing it... Where i live there is only one sp. of Polyergus (Polyergus rufecens), and they are the best (even if it's really hard to keep them)

[@SeeNineOneEight]

as someone who has grown up with pavement ant all over my house that one really hurt

[@UntilxThexSunxDies]

I have also seen green colored ants in new mexico living in a tree that were not metallic. I cant find the species online

[@ivanfloresvazquez7490]

Hi, everyone! I'm studying ants and find them fascinating, and was wondering if anyone has any information about what was mentioned in 9:54? I haven't been able to find any information about harpegnathos ants tossling for positions within the colony. Is there a specific species where this is known? Literally any information about this would be great for me, thanks!

[@apooil]

Ik I'm late but page 343 from "The Superorganism: The Beauty Elegance And Strangeness Of Insect Societies Book by Bert Hölldobler and E. O. Wilson" summarises it very well

[@ivanfloresvazquez7490]

@@apooil Thanks a lot! Not too late, I'll look into it

[@jimathythedude]

i want more like this

[@AnkieJay]

lol one of my coworkers asked me yesterday what the best kind of ant, I just sent them this video. I also don't think you took into consideration the parasitic formica (having minors, workers, majors, creating super colonies [rufa], powerful antibiotics, able to spray acid a couple feet away) and lasius (smells like citronella and pushes out an absurd amount of alates each year, normal Lasius would be ranked lower though) then totally forgot about acorn ants being able to survive in a twig or acorn well into -69F or below (North Dakota) (Essentially the opposite of cataglyphis' tolerance of heat minus the majors but Northern Camponotus can actually be frozen solid and then be revived just fine afterwards) and could be ranked higher. This is Ankrauser, btw. So I may also be biased when it comes to parasitic Formica and Lasius such as F. planipilis, F. obscuripes, L. claviger and L. interjectus (which are all doing well and healthy)

[@VilleAbr]

Exactly

[@andykirby7772]

Hi Miles, what about citronella ants? S++? Like if someone found them, they would be so totally awesome? Looking fresh, keep it up gman! #thanksmiles

[@laythalsham6618]

By the way you should check out carebara diversa in Asia! Their soldier ants are HUGE

[@kennerd2300]

Is it possible to feed ants blended meat? Would this help to reduce the waste disposal in the outworld?

[@laythalsham6618]

This being posted on my birthday is a sign (I need my ants back)

[@godofasmr4860]

How could you put lasius in D I got them yesterday and they are so cute

[@11Legorex]

Haven’t watched this yet but weaver ants better be a tier lol

[@francisrieuants6286]

Nice bro I like your video keep it up I'm a big fan of yours

[@cocus260587]

cataglyphis my most loved on a spacaly bombycina. So iam happy for s. Still waiting to get my hands on a queen od colony from Tham.

[@javierhillier4252]

where i am in europe we got some really cool ants messor barbarus are my favourite that i get around my area

[@antfocus8438]

Cataglyphis is my dream to keep

[@ElReinoDeLasHormigas]

Cool video! But I disagree on some sp ;) haha

[@TheAntNetwork]

Wouldn't expect anything else! Thanks for watching!

[@johnycash978]

Hey I'm interested what I've seen home for a few days I've some ants that have hard body you can't step on to kill they look more spherical in the body structure more straight n sharp ends n wooden like color hmm I ain't trolling just tryna figure what I got home ima add more info but if I said enough for a nametag please do

[@dorothysteller3806]

Fact: trap-jaw ants have trigger hairs of there mandibles that make its mandibles snap shut on contact.

[@michaelcaballero1346]

I like the information you on ants, but what species could take on asian giant hornet in a fight?

[@AlexGerwe8505]

I like Argentine ants I think it’s so fascinating that they are the only known ant species to be able to merge colonies

[@thepygmymammoth]

They're not the only species, but it is relatively rare. I agree it's a cool trait to have.

[@thehairypavementant3931]

Pavement ants are my favorite ants if you like all day long wars as a kid you cant beat these ants

[@cattfishing]

We have huge red harvester ants. Those things are crazy mean and will chase you.lol their stings hurt so bad. You will get stung before even knowing you're near a nest site. They are still my second favorite ant. Lol

[@antsandpets]

they are my second favorite species as well, and my favorite species ive actually kept

[@faizarahman57]

**Messor Intensifies.**

[@sebants_qc1018]

Amazing video, accurate lol

[@peel8043]

I spit my drink after carebara was B. Highly recommended ants to keep in South east asia as they are extremely fun

[@SuperZechs]

I was very offended honey pots were not S rank

[@montanajones7709]

Can anyone in USA help me acquiring a cephalotes varians queen?

[@ColossalSwordFormAndTechnique]

Messor Stuctors, Pheidole Rheas, and Camponotus Pennsylvanicus. 😎

[@jack_corvinus]

Eat your heart out, TierZoo

[@your_average_blanket_lover3732]

As my friend advised,I shall remain quiet about the camponotus ligniperda comment and Pheidole+Crematogaster rating

[@justyourordinarytom6528]

at least we have YTONG XD

[@GodShrimp]

I have an Aphaenogaster tennesseensis queen with what looks like some biological offspring. Dormant now but this will be her second season, I can't wait. Orange/red ants are the best.

[@bigmoose7]

Aphenogaster sound so cool

[@GodShrimp]

@@bigmoose7 they are a pretty awesome genus

[@kbants4063]

Great video 😀🐜

[@matthewfrancis9987]

i hope you mean high B tier for carebara

[@matthewfrancis9987]

you did not just put honey pots over carebara

[@lotusql69]

leaf cutters can go through human skin , EASY S TIER , TOGETHER WITH CEPHALOTES !!!!!!!!!

[@kevinpoe8137]

I heard that the driver ant queen is the largest living ant

[@chANTler412]

Has anyone had success bringing "turtle ants" into a housing enviroment?

[@TheAntNetwork]

Working on it… generally, nobody has had long term (> 1 year) success with them.

[@chANTler412]

@The Ant Network it would be a dream come true to spend a week near Miami during their nuptial flight. It would be nearly impossible to get them from the islands their typically found. I can look this one up but I did have another question for you? Has anyone ever successfully bred elates in captivity? Elates of any species?

[@lovelycommenter198]

I like how he looks very fancy. Nice taste in fashion.

[@antsandmoreaustralia]

Green metallic ants also have a painful sting

[@spacejesus4541]

and are super aggressive, very fun watching a hunting party chase a cricket around the outworld

[@TerrariumDiscoveryGamingMore]

Daceton look like if leafcutters and trap jaws interbred

[@TheAntNetwork]

Agreed, Professor!

[@issamhilal184]

Where is MESSOR?!

[@Creepy747]

Bro Rhytidoponera Metallica sting and there stings hurt and i mean hurt a lot they should have got a S tier!

[@cityants1166]

Very cool video 👍

[@philthehexagon2989]

Great idea! Really enjoyed the tier list!

[@noobsimdriver]

Aphaenogaster are A teir. Like Spartans of the ant world. 1 worker will take on a meal worm much bigger than themselves. They don't need trophilaxis because they take whole peices of bugs to the larvea.

[@scorchinggoat9589]

but they aren't as special as the other in s tier

[@noobsimdriver]

Yea....but I think he put them as b or c teir. I agree def not S teir

[@user-tk5jx4ih4g]

Whaaaaat how come Tapinoma rates higher than Lasius hahaha. How about making something like this again with more structure. Like having a category for example Farming, colony size or something else and rate them that way more objectively.

[@JaccoJohansson]

Campo ligni, "one of the only interesting ants native to Europe". If you didn't know Europe also have native Cataglyphis and trap-jaws that you put in S-tier. We also have our own harvester ants that you put in A-tier, but our harvesters don't have a stinger tho.

[@TheAntNetwork]

Hi Jacco! As an ant researcher myself, I'm happy to report that I am relatively familiar with European ant fauna, and I was just trying to inject a little humor in good faith. There are some great ants to be proud of across the pond! - Miles

[@JaccoJohansson]

@The Ant Network yeah, I know that you know a lot about ants from all over the world, since you been there looking at spp all over the world. And after reading the description you say you make fun of EU spp and I get that man, it's all good. But we do still have a lot of interesting spp, especially here in the south, if you ask me. Personally I love your stuff and you seem so knowledgeable about ants world wide in general

[@JaccoJohansson]

Just keep making your good content and get more people interested in this hobby, what you're doing is so good for the hobby, cuz it's a lot of bad info about antkeeping on KZbin as well unfortunately.

[@mehmetsaiterkan9622]

We had trap-jaws?

[@AG-tl8oq]

Do an beetle tier list

[@cj-vi1nh]

I agree with most of them haha

[@DragonUdo]

Tapinoma I would say smell like artificial coconut!

[@chase6785]

your tier list needs a title. best ants for what? they are all amazing in their own way. If your list is about ants vs ants Argentine ants have to be god tier.

[@Zach_Bonett]

The Tapinoma I've encountered smell like rotting coconut.

[@flamesofgames3986]

Where’s iridomyrmex?

[@jacknickolstine3355]

Tbh I love super small ants.

[@jacknickolstine3355]

Little concrete ants.

[@VilleAbr]

Lasius in D tier??

[@percydailey9878]

Do you sell your ant Network hats

[@TheAntNetwork]

Not at the moment! We do have some merch options available over at: www.redbubble.com/people/TheAntNetwork

[@reidmock2165]

Rotten coconut for sure. Good call

[@shastagehrke1512]

Why did you put a fluffy ant in s teir and put cephelotes in B teir

[@GNKClips]

He put chephelotes in A teir

[@reidmock2165]

How are leafcutters not S-tier... :[

[@damadum7720]

Why didnt u put leaf ants to S :(

[@grumweld]

i love ants

[@lotusql69]

dude cephalotes b tier IAM MAD........

[@thesten1n]

Топ 5 драгон найт

[@dfwturtles105]

I don't know what an ant is but I disagree (love the vid)

[@AntsMinnesota]

How DARE you put Tetrimorium in C!

[@andrewnakas7599]

Army ant ftw

[@amber-ants]

2:20 termites did it first

[@toxicsunshine2277]

oof S tier for ant mimics they are pretty damn good at being ants for not being ants

[@DanielSmith-fg5im]

You forgot Driver ants

[@fifthblackbird]

Boooo, ant mimics are definitely S tier! (I might be a spider person)

[@TheAntNetwork]

def sus

[@martiansplat6587]

me when def scientific name for pig:

[@cherryy4639]

I'm sorry I just wanted to say using ants as stitches was and is a native American tactic, not army.

[@TheAntNetwork]

You’re right! Thanks for catching that this is a method developed by indigenous cultures and later adapted. Appreciate you pointing that out. - Miles

[@flants3]

bro Harvester ants dont so trophallaxis and many on the list

[@lympic_cas5729]

Do you keep your ants in the dark?

[@TheAntNetwork]

Some of them! I actually discuss this topic in our Questions & Antswers #1 video. - Miles