An ecological biomimetic full-cycle breeding method for blind leafcutter ants

Abstract

This invention discloses an ecological and biomimetic full-cycle breeding method for blind leafcutter ants, comprising the following steps: First, collecting wild ant eggs (blind leafcutter ant) ​​from mating female and male ant colonies; Second, obtaining high-quality new female and male queen ants from the ant eggs (blind leafcutter ant); Third, inducing the female and male queen ants (blind leafcutter ant) ​​to aestivate in batches; Fourth, inducing the female and male queen ants to lay eggs and cultivating primary ant colonies in batches; Fifth, cultivating and managing the primary ant colonies in the wild ecological environment to become economic ant colonies; Sixth, collecting high-quality ant eggs (first-level ant eggs) multiple times; Seventh, selecting high-quality and strong ant eggs (blind leafcutter ant) ​​to reserve seed populations. Based on in-depth research on the life history and biological learning behavior of blind leafcutter ants, this invention establishes for the first time a complete technical system from seed source collection, new queen ant acquisition, new queen ant aestivation, primary ant colony cultivation, wild breeding to economic ant colony harvesting, and selection of breeding ant colonies, filling a technological gap in this field.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of ecological aquaculture technology, specifically relating to an ecological biomimetic full-cycle aquaculture method for blind leafcutter ants. Background Technology

[0002] Residents of Dehong and Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province, especially around the Water Splashing Festival, search for and dig up a local delicacy called "ant eggs" from fields, sugarcane fields, bamboo forests, shrublands, and weed beds from February to May each year. They sell these eggs at high prices or consume them themselves. "Ant eggs" is a local name; the biological name is *Carebara lignata* Westwood, belonging to the class Insecta, order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae, subfamily Carebarainae, and genus *Carebara*. The ant eggs consumed are actually a combination of various developmental stages of female and male *Carebara lignata* ants, including eggs, larvae, pupae, and soldier ants, as well as soldier ant eggs, larvae, and pupae. They are considered to have good taste and high nutritional value, and are thus defined as ant egg products. In recent years, the market price of ant eggs has been rising, and wild blind leafcutter ant populations are nearing depletion due to over-harvesting, urgently requiring protection of their genetic resources. Meanwhile, the traditional methods of searching for and collecting wild ant eggs are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and inefficient, severely hindering the development and utilization of ant egg resources and their role in increasing farmers' income. Currently, there are no artificial breeding methods or technologies for blind leafcutter ants, mainly because they have a unique life history and biological characteristics. Blind leafcutter ant colonies live underground, centered around their nests. The queen ant is solely responsible for laying eggs, while soldier ants are responsible for nest building, foraging, and feeding. Female and male ants are responsible for mating. Blind leafcutter ant colonies are divided into female and male colonies, which develop independently. New queen ants need to undergo a special summer dormancy (water dormancy) stage, and the development cycle of new colonies is as long as 2-3 years before they can form commercially valuable economic colonies and reproductive colonies. These characteristics make it impossible to successfully raise blind leafcutter ants by simply imitating other ant farming methods. Therefore, developing (inventing) a full-cycle scientific farming method that simulates the natural ecological environment of blind leafcutter ants and meets their biological characteristics has significant industrial application and scientific research value, and can transform resource advantages into economic advantages. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ecological biomimetic full-cycle breeding method for blind leafcutter ants.

[0004] The objective of this invention is achieved by including the following steps: An ecological and biomimetic full-cycle breeding method for blind leafcutter ants includes the following steps: (1) Collection of female and male ants during the mating season: From April to May each year, collection devices are set up at the exit of the female and male ant colonies of the blind leafcutter ant population to collect the mating female ants that crawl out of the female ant colony and the male ants that crawl out of the male ant colony. (2) Obtaining a new queen ant: female and male ants in estrus period collected from different ant colonies are cross-mated, and female ants whose wings have fallen off after mating are collected as new queen ants; at the same time, unmated female ants are used as new male queen ants (unmated female ants do not store sperm in their bodies, and the eggs in their bodies are unfertilized eggs. Unmated female ants only produce unfertilized eggs, and unfertilized eggs will only develop into male ants. The offspring of unmated female ants are all male ants, forming a male ant colony. Therefore, unmated female ants are defined as male queen ants). (3) Inducing new queen ant to aestivate: Place the new female queen ant and the new male queen ant into the surface layer of the aestivation device filled with moist soil, so that they can burrow into the soil to build aestivation nest and enter aestivation state in the aestivation nest. During aestivation, maintain suitable humidity and vegetation growth in the device. (4) Cultivation of new primary ant colonies: Inducing the new female queen and new male queen to lay eggs after awakening. After the first batch of eggs develop into soldier ants, artificial nutrient solution is added to promote the soldier ants to feed the queen and build a new primary ant nest centered on the summer hibernation nest, until a new primary ant colony and a new primary ant nest are formed in the summer hibernation device. (5) Wild breeding management: Carefully remove the new primary ant colony along with its summer hibernation nest and new primary ant nest from the summer hibernation device and move it into the soil of the ecological breeding device that has been buried in the soil ridge or mound in the wild environment, about 15 cm deep. Through artificial feeding and management, promote the ant colony to breed and grow in the natural ecological environment in the wild, and finally form an economic ant colony with commercial value and a reproductive ant colony with reproductive value. (6) Harvesting and continuing to raise ant eggs: When the target ant egg products in the economic ant colony reach the preset ratio, open the ecological breeding device, separate and reserve the queen ant and some soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae and soldier ant pupae as seed source groups, harvest all the remaining ant egg products, and then put the reserved seed source groups back into the ecological breeding device to continue the next cycle of breeding.

[0005] The collection device mentioned in step (1) is a female ant collection cage and a male ant collection cage. It is made of plastic mesh with a mesh size of less than 0.5 cm, with an outer large and an inner small double-layered suction cage. The bottom opening of the outer large suction cage is 30-40 cm in diameter and 40-50 cm in height. The top conical opening is 3 cm in diameter and is plugged with a removable cork. The bottom opening of the inner small suction cage is shared with the large suction cage. It is tightly fixed at the bottom of the large and small cages with a cable tie without gaps. The inner small cage is 8-12 cm in height and the top conical opening is 2 cm in diameter. The collection time is from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm every day. The collection cage is replaced before 10:30 am every day. The collection is repeated until no female or male ants crawl out of the ant nest.

[0006] The cross-mating described in step (2) takes place in a mating cage, which is a conical space enclosed by plastic mesh, with a bottom diameter of 60-80 cm, a height of 60-80 cm, a 3 cm diameter conical opening at the top, and two 2-3 cm diameter holes at the bottom for inserting a collection cage. The mating cage is placed inside a greenhouse. Each cage contains 200-400 female ants and 200-400 male ants per batch, and the mating time is 5-10 minutes. The method for obtaining the new male king is to leave the female ants in the collection cage without providing them with mating opportunities, allowing them to develop into new male kings. (Female ants that have not mated, have no sperm cells in their bodies, lay unfertilized eggs, and the unfertilized eggs develop into male ants, and the offspring of female ants that have not mated are all male ants, forming a male ant colony, and are therefore defined as male kings).

[0007] The summer dormancy device described in step (3) is a wooden frame 2-3 meters long, 2-3 meters wide, and 50-60 centimeters high, filled with moist soil with a moisture content of about 80%. Each device contains 80-100 new queen ants, and the surface is covered with fresh grass cakes (grass cakes taken from the ecological breeding area). The summer dormancy device is placed on the cement floor of the greenhouse. The summer dormancy period is from May to September. Water is sprayed on the grass cakes on the device once a week, and a 6-8% concentration of fertilizer solution is sprayed on the grass cakes on the device once a month to keep the soil moisture inside the device at about 80% and to ensure that the grass cakes grow vigorously and have well-developed root systems.

[0008] The artificial nutrient solution mentioned in step (4) is a mixture of 50% sugar water and amino acids, which is continuously injected into the soil at a depth of 15 cm in the device through a syringe; the standard for the new primary ant colony is: the number of soldier ants reaches 80-120, the number of soldier ant eggs, larvae and pupae reaches 200, 150 and 100 respectively, and the diameter of the new primary ant nest is 5-7 cm.

[0009] The ecological aquaculture device described in step (5) is a cylindrical space enclosed by a stainless steel, plastic, or hard iron mesh with a mesh size of less than 0.5 cm, with a diameter of 40-50 cm and a height of 40-50 cm. The bottom is closed and the top is open. The outdoor environment is an area with well-developed plant root systems, such as bamboo forests, shrublands, grasslands, or sugarcane fields. The earthen embankments or mounds are formed by burying the ecological aquaculture devices in rows 15-25 cm below the surface of the ground, filling the interior of the devices with soil, and building earthen embankments or mounds around the devices. The earthen embankments or mounds are 40-50 cm high and 50-60 cm wide, and covered with straw cakes. The distance between adjacent ecological aquaculture devices within the earthen embankments or mounds is about 15 meters, and the distance between two adjacent rows of earthen embankments or mounds is about 15 meters.

[0010] The artificial feeding described in step (5) includes inserting a syringe containing a mixture of sugar water and amino acids into the ecological breeding device to a depth of about 15 cm on the 5th to 8th day after the new primary ant colony and nest are moved in; spraying water and fertilizer solution on the device, embankment and mound to keep the grass growing vigorously on the device, embankment and mound; using a syringe to seep the sugar water and amino acid mixture into the device, embankment and mound; retaining dead branches and fallen leaves in the device, embankment, mound and surrounding ecological breeding area to increase the accumulation of organic matter; placing 15-17 ecological breeding devices per acre of ecological breeding area, including 6-8 female primary ant colony devices and 7-9 male primary ant colony devices.

[0011] The formation time of the economic ant colony mentioned in step (5) is from March to April of the third year. During this stage, the weight ratio of the mixed body of female and male ant larvae before pupation and pupation after pupation with soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae, soldier ant pupae, female and male ant eggs, and female and male ant larvae in different female and male ant nests reaches 50%-55%; the preset ratio mentioned in step (6) is 50%-55%. The formation time of the reproductive ant colony is from April to May of the third year. During this stage, all female and male ant larvae in different female and male ant nests pupate into female and male ant pupae. The female and male ant pupae emerge as female and male ants. After mid-to-late April, the female ants in the female ant nests and the male ants in the male ant nests mature and become female and male ant colonies with reproductive functions. The ant nests only contain female ants, male ants, soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae, and soldier ant pupae, and there are no large eggs.

[0012] The specific steps for harvesting ant eggs in step (6) include: (1) Remove the grass cakes on the ecological breeding device, clear the surrounding soil, and expose the device and the soldier ants that are crawling on it; (2) Locate the queen ant in the device, and remove the queen ant, some soldier ants, some soldier ant eggs, some soldier ant larvae, eggs, pupae and some soil together to reserve as the seed source for the next year; (3) Place an insect-proof net or gauze on the ground near the ecological breeding device, take out the ecological breeding device, shake it vigorously above the insect-proof net, so that the soil, soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae, female and male soldier ant pupae, small larvae, weeds, roots and other items in the device fall from the mesh onto the insect-proof net or gauze. (4) Pour the remaining female and male ants before pupation, the larvae and the ex-pupa, and the soil in the device into a large sieve with a mesh size of less than 0.5 cm. Rinse with clean water several times to remove the attached soil. Use chopsticks or tweezers to remove the remaining plant roots and other debris to obtain a clean and pure first-grade ant egg product consisting entirely of larvae before pupation and the ex-pupa (called "big eggs" in folk terms). As needed, pack the first-grade ant eggs into containers such as basins and boxes. (5) Pour the mixture that has fallen onto the insect-proof net or gauze into a large sieve with a mesh size of 1 mm, rinse it several times with clean water to remove the soil, and use chopsticks or tweezers to remove any remaining plant roots and other debris to obtain a clean, grade 3 ant egg product consisting of a mixture of soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae, eggs, pupae, male and female ant eggs, and small male and female ant larvae without large eggs. Pack the grade 3 ant eggs into containers such as basins and boxes as needed. Combine grade 1 and grade 3 ant eggs in a certain proportion to obtain grade 2 ant egg products. Pack the grade 2 ant eggs into containers such as basins and boxes as needed. (6) Rebury the vacated ecological breeding device in the soil near the original site, build up soil around the device to form a new embankment and mound, put the reserved seed stock into the soil about 15 cm deep inside the device, and continue the breeding in the next cycle near the original site. (7) Every year in the ecological breeding area, select one female ant colony and one male ant colony during the breeding season for every 10 mu. Do not collect ant egg products, only collect female ants and male ants during the mating season. Repeat the above steps to ensure that there are new economic ant colonies and breeding ant colonies, and ensure the population rejuvenation and continuous income of the whole cycle of breeding. Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are:

[0013] (1) The first realization of full-cycle artificial breeding of blind leafcutter ants: Based on in-depth research on the life history and biological learning of blind leafcutter ants, this invention has established a complete technical system for the first time, from seed source collection, new queen ant acquisition, new queen ant summer hibernation, primary ant colony cultivation, wild breeding to economic ant colony harvesting, and selection of breeding ant colonies, filling the technical gap in this field.

[0014] (2) Significantly improve the survival rate and mating quality of queen ants: The special collection cage enables the precise collection of female and male ants during the mating season. The mating environment is artificially controlled to avoid interference from natural enemies. The encounter rate between female and male ants reaches 100%, and the mating success rate and mating quality are significantly improved. The summer hibernation device enables the survival rate of new queen ants during summer hibernation to reach more than 90%, far exceeding the 30% in the wild state.

[0015] (3) To achieve large-scale and controllable production of blind leafcutter ants: By using ecological breeding equipment combined with the conditions of the wild environment, 14-16 economic ant colonies can be successfully raised per mu, with each colony producing 3-5 jin of ant eggs per year, and the annual output per mu can reach 50-70 jin. Based on the lowest market price of 100 yuan / jin, the annual income per mu will increase by 5,000-7,000 yuan, and will not affect the original industries in the region.

[0016] (4) Establish a sustainable full-cycle breeding model: By reserving seed source population technology and screening new breeding ant colony technology, the goal of stable breeding, product harvesting and population rejuvenation for many years can be achieved. This avoids the excessive one-time excavation of wild blind leafcutter ant resources by the public, breaks through the bottleneck of blind leafcutter ant resource development and utilization, and is of great significance for protecting biodiversity and promoting the development of blind leafcutter ant characteristic industry.

[0017] (5) A rapid harvesting model has been established: relying on ecological breeding equipment, ant eggs can be accurately and quickly harvested from the ecological breeding equipment on the ground surface, breaking through the bottleneck of industrial development that traditional models require a lot of time to search for wild ant eggs on the ground surface based on experience and a lot of physical strength and time to dig out ant eggs on the ground surface. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to implementation examples, but this does not limit the present invention in any way. Any changes or substitutions made based on the teachings of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0019] An ecological and biomimetic full-cycle breeding method for blind leafcutter ants includes the following steps: First, collect wild blind leafcutter ants during their mating season in bulk, including both female and male ants. Locate wild blind leafcutter ant colonies (we define a blind leafcutter ant colony as one that has developed to the point where adult females or males are present in the nest). After finding 10 wild colonies, from early April to late May, before 6 PM, seal the female and male ant colony collection cages at the exits of the female and male colonies of the blind leafcutter ant colonies in different locations. Female and male ant colonies in mating season will successively emerge from the nest exits between 6 AM and 10 AM and between 5 PM and 10 PM, respectively, and enter the collection cages. Before 10 AM, remove the sealed cage containing females or males from the colony exit, replace it with another collection cage, and repeat the same operation until no more females or males emerge from the colony exit.

[0020] Female and male ant collection cages: These cages are made of plastic mesh with a mesh size of less than 0.5 cm, forming a double-layered suction cage with a large outer layer and a small inner layer. The large outer suction cage has a bottom opening diameter of 30-40 cm, a height of 40-50 cm, and a 3 cm diameter conical opening at the top, which is plugged with a removable cork. The bottom opening of the small inner suction cage is shared with the large one. The two cages are tightly secured together at the bottom with cable ties, without any gaps. The small inner cage is 8-12 cm high, and the 2 cm diameter conical opening at the top is also used. Collection time is from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day. The collection cages are replaced before 10:30 AM each morning. The collection is repeated until no female or male ants crawl out of the nest.

[0021] Biological Principle: Blind leafcutter ant colonies consist of separate, independently developing female and male colonies. Every year in April and May, after several consecutive days of rain, wild blind leafcutter ant colonies in underground nests in bamboo forests, shrublands, grasslands, field ridges, sugarcane fields, and other areas enter mating mode when they sense that the soil moisture content has reached saturation. After sensing the mating information of the colony, the soldier ants dig open the soil blocking the exit of the colony's passage, allowing external oxygen to enter the passage. Between 6:00-10:30 in the morning and between 5:30-10:00 in the afternoon, female and male ants in different mating modes in different nests, induced by the oxygen concentration, crawl out of the nest exit along the passages dug by the soldier ants to the surface and fly to nearby shrublands, grasslands, sugarcane fields, and bamboo forests, where they chase and mate under the drive of pheromones.

[0022] Secondly, obtain high-quality new female queens and new males of blind leafcutter ants in batches. 1. Obtaining High-Quality New Queen Ants: Immediately after mating, place the mating females and males from the collection cages, alternating between them, into the mating cages. Each cage should contain 300 females and 300 males per batch. The mating females and males will mate in the mating cages for 5-10 minutes. After mating, smaller males will fly to the top of the mating cage and enter the male ant collection cage (located inside the cone-shaped exit). Larger females, containing sperm cells, will shed their wings and become new queen ants, attaching themselves to the plastic mesh at the bottom and surrounding area of ​​the mating cage. Collect the males that have just mated from the male ant cage at the top of the mating cage daily for later use to prevent secondary mating. Carefully transfer the queen ants that have mated and remained at the bottom and surrounding area of ​​the mating cage into the queen ant collection cage for later use.

[0023] 2. Obtaining a high-quality new male king ant: Keep the female ants in the female ant collection cage in the cage and do not provide them with mating opportunities. Since the female ants do not have sperm cells in their bodies, they will become the new male king ant.

[0024] Biological principle: Unmated female ants do not store sperm cells in their bodies; their eggs are unfertilized. These unmated female ants, after entering the soil, can only lay unfertilized eggs. These unfertilized eggs can only develop into male ants. The offspring of unmated female ants are all male ants, forming only male ant colonies. Therefore, we call the unmated female ant the queen male ant, and the resulting ant colony a male ant colony. (The unfertilized eggs laid by the unfertilized female ant hatch into unfertilized larvae, which pupate into unfertilized pupae. These unfertilized pupae emerge as male ants. The offspring of the unfertilized female ant are all male ants, forming a male ant colony; therefore, the unfertilized female ant is defined as the queen male ant.) Mating cages for male and female ants: The mating cage is a cone-shaped space enclosed by plastic mesh, with a base diameter of 60-80 cm and a height of 60-80 cm. The top has a 3 cm diameter cone-shaped opening, and the bottom has two 3 cm diameter holes for inserting the female and male ant collection cages. During the mating season, female and male ants in heat enter the mating cage through these holes. The mating cages are placed on supports 40-50 cm above the ground inside the mating shed. Several mating cages are placed in the shed, with each cage containing 300 female and 300 male ants per batch. Mating lasts 5-10 minutes.

[0025] Mating Greenhouse for Male and Female Leafcutter Ants: This is the space where female and male leafcutter ants are housed for mating. Greenhouse parameters: The eaves are 7 meters long and 7 meters wide, with a drip area of ​​49 square meters. It has a cement floor, steel frame structure, and an asbestos tile roof with a 100-degree apex angle. The eaves are 2.5 meters high. The interior is enclosed by insect-proof netting, creating a 36-square-meter space measuring 6 meters long, 6 meters wide, and 2 meters high. Several support platforms, each 50 centimeters high and 120 centimeters wide, are placed inside the greenhouse, with several mating cages placed on each platform.

[0026] Biological Principle: In underground ant nests in areas such as bamboo forests, shrublands, grasslands, sugarcane fields, and paddy fields, soldier ants searching for food sense that rainwater has seeped into the soil, and the soil moisture content reaches over 80%. They collectively dig open the soil sealing the nest entrance, allowing oxygen to enter and changing the oxygen concentration within the nest. Simultaneously, female ants in female nests and male ants in male nests, sensing that the soil moisture content has reached saturation, enter mating mode. During this mode, female and male ants race towards the oxygen source, following the pre-dug tunnels of the soldier ants, crawling to the nest entrance, and flying into nearby weeds, shrubs, bamboo thickets, sugarcane thickets, etc., simultaneously releasing sex hormones to attract, chase, and mate with each other. After mating, the male ant dies, but the female ant, containing sperm cells, becomes the new queen. She loses her wings, her body becomes smooth, and she senses the dampness of the soil during the rainy season. She crawls on the moist, soft ground, searching for a suitable location, and uses her specialized pincers to dig open the damp, soft soil and burrow into it to build a summer nest, where she enters a state of aestivation. Female ants that do not mate with males do not contain sperm cells and become the new queen. They also lose their wings, their bodies become smooth, and they sense the dampness of the soil during the rainy season. They crawl on the moist, soft ground, searching for a suitable location, and use their specialized pincers to dig open the damp, soft soil and burrow into it to build a summer nest, where they enter a state of aestivation.

[0027] In the wild, the female and male colonies of blind leafcutter ants are relatively scattered and far apart. The number, distribution, density, and proportion of colonies are asymmetrical. The large difference in the number and timing of female and male ants flying out results in fewer opportunities for them to meet during the mating season, leading to low mating rates and poor mating quality. Furthermore, female and male ants exposed on the ground with weak flying abilities are heavily preyed upon by predators such as frogs, dragonflies, birds, snakes, and ants, further contributing to low survival rates, low mating rates, and poor mating quality.

[0028] The advantages of this technology are as follows: First, by using female and male ant collection cages, mating females and males emerging from different ant nests can be collected in batches and all at once. These mating females and males are then immediately placed into mating cages within a mating shed. Under artificially optimized conditions, the survival rate of females and males is greatly improved, the chance of them meeting reaches 100%, and the mating rate and quality are significantly enhanced. Second, the artificially controlled mating environment avoids interference and harm from natural enemies, ensuring the safety of the mating environment. Third, feeding females and males sugar water before mating strengthens their physique and improves mating quality. Feeding queen females and unmated queen males sugar water after mating also strengthens their physique and increases the quantity and quality of eggs laid.

[0029] Third, the new female and male queens of the blind leafcutter ants undergo mass aestivation (water hibernation). 1. Immediately place new female and male queen ants in batches into separate ant estivation devices where grass cake is thriving. Fill the devices with damp soil, placing 100 new female or male queen ants in each device, creating independent estivation devices for female and male queen ants. Ensure that all new queen ants burrow into the damp soil beneath the grass. Within 3 days, the new female and male queen ants will build circular estivation nests in the soil, enclosing themselves inside and entering estivation. After approximately 15 days, carefully observe the oval and circular estivation nests built by the new queen ants and the new queen ants entering estivation by randomly opening a hole at the top of the estivation device.

[0030] 2. During the months of May, June, July, August and September, the new queen ants in the summer dormancy device are in a summer dormancy state. Spray water on the grass cake in the device once a week and spray a 6-8% fertilizer solution once a month to ensure that the soil moisture in the device is above 80% to ensure that the weeds grow vigorously and the grass roots are well developed.

[0031] Biological Principles: Wild blind leafcutter ants mate between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM and 9:30 PM in April and May each year, under conditions of continuous rainfall and high air and soil moisture content (around 80%). The soft soil after rain facilitates the rapid entry of the new queen into the soil and the construction of a summering nest. During the months of May, July, August, and September, when the new queen has entered the soil, heavy rainfall and high soil moisture content lead to the evolution of individual and colony survival behaviors such as building summering nests, aestivation, and not laying eggs.

[0032] New female and male queens of wild, blind leafcutter ant colonies in open fields face the following risks: 1. The long time spent in the open field before and after entering the soil makes them vulnerable to predation. 2. They die from rainwater soaking before building their summer hibernation nests. 3. They are eaten by burrowing animals, resulting in a very low summer hibernation success rate of less than 30%. This technology provides a safe summer hibernation environment for new queens, avoiding the above risks and greatly increasing the success rate of summer hibernation to 90%.

[0033] Queen Ant Summering Device: The summering device consists of a wooden frame 2-3 meters long and wide, and 40-60 centimeters high. Damp soil is placed inside the frame, and then covered with fresh grass cakes. Once the grass cakes are thriving, a new queen ant is placed inside. The summering devices are placed on the cement floor of a primary ant colony rearing shed, with several devices in each shed. The parameters of the primary ant colony rearing shed are similar to those of the mating shed.

[0034] Queen ant summer hibernation nest: The new queen ant builds an oval or round mud ball that is waterproof and protects against natural enemies. Its function is similar to that of ground insects spinning cocoons for self-protection. Many burrowing insects have similar structures.

[0035] Ant king aestivation: During the months of May, July, August and September after the new ant king enters the soil, there is a lot of rainfall and the soil has a high water content. In the process of evolution, the ant king and the ant colony have evolved aestivation (also called water hibernation) as a self-preservation and survival behavior.

[0036] Fourth, induce new queen females and queen males to lay eggs, and mass-produce primary queen and male ant colonies. 1. The new queen and queen ants in the summer hibernation device gradually awaken in September and October. During this period, continue to spray fertilizer solution to ensure the growth of the grass cake in the device. In October and November, the new queen and queen ants in the summer hibernation device lay the first batch of soldier ant eggs in the summer hibernation nest. In November and December, the first batch of soldier ant eggs develop into soldier ants, emerge from the summer hibernation nest, feed on nitrogen-containing solutions near the root hair cells of plants, and begin to build new nests starting from the summer hibernation nest. In November and December, use a 50 ml syringe to continuously provide a 50% sugar water and amino acid mixture to the soil at a depth of about 15 cm in the device to ensure that the first batch of soldier ants feed on sugar water and amino acids, while inducing the growth of small insects and microorganisms in the soil. By early December, the number of soldier ants is about 100, and the number of soldier ant eggs, larvae, and pupae is about 200, 150, and 100 respectively. The diameter of the new ant nest reaches 5-7 cm, becoming a new primary ant colony and a new primary ant nest.

[0037] Biological Principles: From late September to October, the female and male ant queens, who had been in aestivation, sensed the decrease in rainfall seeping into the soil and gradually awoke, ending their aestivation and laying their first batch of soldier ant eggs. By the end of October, these first batch of soldier ant eggs had developed into soldier ants, which crawled out of their aestivation nests. In October, the roots of weeds in the soil where the aestivation nests were located were well-developed. The soldier ants fed themselves and the queen ant by taking nitrogen-containing solutions attached to the root hairs in the soil. At the same time, they searched for small insects, microorganisms, and other food in the soil. They also consumed sugar water and amino acid-based foods provided by humans and diffused in the soil. Following the direction of sugar water seepage, they found the syringe from which the sugar water was seeping out and directly consumed the sugar water and amino acid mixture. In November, the soldier ants began to build new nests using the aestivation nests as a starting point. By early December, the new nests were 5-7 cm in diameter, with about 100 soldier ants in the aestivation nests, and about 200, 150, and 100 soldier ant eggs, larvae, and pupae, respectively. These became the new primary ant colonies and new primary nests. By inducing new queen ants to lay eggs and build nests in artificially provided greenhouses and summer hibernation devices, the survival rate of primary ant colonies is greatly improved, avoiding the risks of damage from burrowing animals and the impact of environmental changes.

[0038] Fifth, large-scale breeding and management of primary ant colonies in the wild transforms them into economically viable ant colonies. 1. Constructing earthen embankments and mounds: In mid-to-late September of the first year, select outdoor ecological environments with well-developed plant root systems in the soil, such as bamboo forests, shrublands, grasslands, or sugarcane fields. Fix the ecological breeding devices in rows 20 cm deep in the soil. Several devices are arranged in each row (depending on the local environment), with a distance of 15 meters between adjacent devices and between adjacent rows of devices. Construct earthen embankments or mounds around the devices, similar to field ridges, with the embankments or mounds being 40 cm high and 50 cm wide. Fill the inside of the devices with soil, and press wild grass cakes from nearby areas onto the devices, embankments, and mounds.

[0039] 2. Raising primary ant colonies in the device. In December of the first year, during the daytime, remove the thriving grass cakes from the estivation devices. Take out the female and male primary ant colonies, along with their estivation nests and new primary ant nests, from the estivation devices. Remove the thriving grass cakes from the ecological breeding devices on the earthen ridges and mounds. Immediately place the primary ant colonies, along with their estivation nests and new primary ant nests, into the ecological breeding devices filled with moist soil on the earthen ridges and mounds, to a depth of about 15 cm. Place one new primary female or male ant colony in each ecological breeding device, cover with grass cakes, and after about 5 days, insert a 50 ml syringe containing a mixture of sugar water and amino acids. On average, place 7 ecological breeding devices for female primary ant colonies and 8 for male primary ant colonies per acre of bamboo forest, grassland, or other ecological environments, for a total of 15 ecological breeding devices per acre, raising 15 new primary ant colonies.

[0040] 3. Management and breeding of primary ant colonies in the device, first stage In December of the first year, the queen ant of the primary female ant colony in the ecological breeding device lays soldier ant eggs in about three days. These soldiers, along with those brought from the summer hibernation nest, feed on nitrogen-containing solutions and microorganisms near the root hairs of plants inside the soil ridges and mounds. They also consume sugar water, amino acids, and other foods that have seeped into the soil from the syringe. Starting from the primary ant nest, they continue to build new queen ant nests, and the primary female ant colony begins to develop. Similarly, the queen ant of the primary male ant colony lays soldier ant eggs in about three days. These soldiers, along with those brought from the summer hibernation nest, feed on nitrogen-containing solutions and microorganisms near the root hairs of plants inside the soil ridges and mounds. They also consume sugar water, amino acids, and other foods. Starting from the primary male ant nest, they continue to build new male ant nests, and the primary male ant colony begins to develop.

[0041] 4. Management and breeding of primary ant colonies in the device, second stage From December of the first year to April of the second year, rainfall is low, so it is necessary to spray water and fertilizer solution on the embankments and mounds to ensure vigorous growth of grass on them. Use a syringe to inject a mixture of sugar water and amino acids into the embankments and mounds to a depth of about 15 cm to ensure the soldier ants can feed on it. The natural fallen leaves and branches in the bamboo groves, shrublands, weed beds, and sugarcane fields near the ecological breeding facilities, embankments, and mounds increase the accumulation of natural organic matter and promote the growth of soil insects and microorganisms. As the soldier ants' feeding range gradually expands and food becomes more abundant, the queen ant receives more regurgitated fluid from the soldier ants, leading to a gradual increase in egg production, a rapid increase in the number of soldier ants, faster nest building, and rapid colony development.

[0042] 5. Management and breeding of primary ant colonies in the device, third stage From April to December of the following year, the queens of both female and male ant colonies received increasingly abundant regurgitated fluid from the soldier ants, entering a period of rapid egg-laying. As rainfall decreased and soil moisture decreased, the vegetation in the ridges, mounds, and nearby bamboo groves, shrublands, weed beds, and sugarcane fields flourished. The root systems were well-developed, nitrogen-rich aqueous solutions were abundant near the root hairs, and the soil was rich in small insects, microorganisms, and organic matter derived from fallen leaves and branches. The soldier ants had abundant food and their numbers increased rapidly, reaching nearly ten thousand. Their foraging range expanded to bamboo groves, shrublands, weed beds, and sugarcane fields. The soldier ants quickly built nests in the moist soil, and the nests rapidly expanded to a diameter of about 30 centimeters, thus establishing the foundation for becoming an economically viable ant colony. Continue to spray fertilizer solution on the embankments and mounds to ensure vigorous growth of grass on them. Continue to use a syringe to penetrate the soil embankments and mounds with a mixture of sugar water and amino acids to ensure that the soldier ants can feed on them, while enriching the soil microorganisms and small insects. Continue to preserve all dead branches and fallen leaves in the breeding area to ensure natural humidity and the accumulation of natural organic matter, so that the primary ant colony can develop into an economic ant colony.

[0043] 6. Management of female economic ant colonies raised in the device In January and February of the third year, the plant root systems in the earthen embankments, mounds, and surrounding natural environment were well-developed, with high concentrations of nitrogen solution near the root hairs and abundant food in the soil near the device. The queen ant, receiving abundant ruminant fluid from the soldier ants, continued to lay large numbers of soldier ant eggs. The number of golden-yellow soldier ants in the nest reached tens of thousands, along with tens of thousands of white soldier ant eggs, larvae, and pupae. The nest rapidly expanded, reaching a diameter of 40-50 cm. In mid-February of the third year, the queen ant began laying reproductive female ant eggs. These eggs hatched in about three days, with thousands gradually developing into female ant larvae. Fed by the abundant ruminant fluid from the soldier ants, the larvae grew rapidly, developing into large, pale white pre-pupae (commonly called "big eggs") about 0.8 cm in diameter around mid-March. Driven by instinct, the soldier ants began digging a passageway within the device connecting the queen ant nest to the surface exit, temporarily sealing the exit with soil. In early April, the nest contains the most large larvae (large eggs), which gradually pupate into pupae with appendages. This results in the largest proportion of large larvae and pupae, making it the most commercially viable economic female ant colony.

[0044] 7. Managing economic female ant colonies to become reserved female breeding stock colonies. In March of the third year, a group of high-quality female economic ant colonies is selected from each acre of ecological breeding area. The ant eggs are not taken. In mid-to-late April, the pupal appendages in the ant nest gradually develop into complete limbs, wings, compound eyes and other organs, complete the molting process, and develop into new female adult ants. They live in the female ant nest of the device and become the female ant colony with the best reproductive performance (reserved female seed source group).

[0045] 8. Collect mating female ants from the reserved seed colony. When the rainfall is heavy in May, the new female ants in the breeding colony sense that the soil moisture content has reached saturation, and the new female ant colony enters the mating state. After sensing the mating information of the female ants, the soldier ants dig open the soil that is blocking the exit of the female ant colony's passageway, and oxygen enters the ant nest. During the mating period, the female ant colony crawls along the passageway in the direction of oxygen to the exit and enters the female ant collection cage that has been sealed and covered in the ecological breeding device.

[0046] 9. Management and breeding of male economic ant colonies in the device In January and February of the third year, the plant roots in the soil embankments, mounds, and surrounding natural environment were well-developed, with high concentrations of nitrogen solution near the root hairs and abundant food in the soil near the device. The male ant king, receiving abundant ruminant fluid from the soldier ants, continued to lay large numbers of soldier ant eggs. The number of golden-yellow soldier ants in the nest reached tens of thousands, along with tens of thousands of white soldier ant eggs, larvae, and pupae. The nest rapidly expanded, reaching a diameter of 40-50 cm. In mid-February of the third year, the male ant king began laying reproductive male ant eggs. These eggs hatched in about three days, with thousands gradually developing into male ant larvae. Fed by the abundant ruminant fluid from the soldier ants, the larvae grew rapidly, developing into large, pale white pre-pupae (commonly called "big eggs") about 0.8 cm in diameter by mid-March. Driven by instinct, the soldier ants began digging a male ant passageway inside the device, connecting the nest to the surface exit, which was temporarily sealed with soil. In early April, the male ant nest contains the most large larvae (large eggs), which gradually pupate into pupae with appendages. This results in the largest proportion of large larvae and pupae, making it the most commercially viable and commercially viable male ant colony.

[0047] 10. Managing economic male ant colonies to become reserved male breeding stock colonies In March of the third year, a group of high-quality male economic ants is selected from each acre of ecological breeding area. The ant eggs are not taken. In mid-to-late April, the pupal appendages in the ant nest gradually develop into complete limbs, wings, compound eyes and other organs, complete the molting process, and develop into new adult ants. They live in the male ant nest of the device and become the male ant colony with the best reproductive performance (reserved male seed source group).

[0048] 11. Collect mating male ants from the reserved male ant population. When the rainfall is heavy in May, the new male ants sense that the soil moisture content has reached saturation, and the new male ant colony enters the mating state. After the soldier ants sense the mating information of the male ants, they dig open the soil that is blocking the exit of the male ant colony's passageway, and oxygen enters the ant nest. During the mating period, the male ant colony crawls along the passageway in the direction of oxygen to the exit and enters the male ant collection cage that has been sealed and covered by the device at the male ant colony's exit.

[0049] The advantages of this technology are: 1. Food is provided artificially, leading to rapid colony growth. 2. The ant colony is controlled within an ecological breeding facility, avoiding harm from natural predators. 3. It does not compete with existing industries in the area for space and territory.

[0050] Sixth, we have consistently sourced high-quality blind leafcutter ants (ant egg products) for many years. 1. The optimal time for commercially raised ant eggs using ecological and biomimetic methods The third year, specifically March and April, is the optimal period for the commercial and economic value of ecologically farmed blind leafcutter ants. It's the time when consumers are most interested, the market price is highest, and the weight ratio of pre-pupae larvae and post-pupae eggs (commonly referred to as "large eggs") in the ant nest is at its best. This is the optimal time to harvest ant eggs, and this period is maintained annually for several years. (During this period, the weight ratio of the mixture of pre-pupae larvae and post-pupae larvae of female and male ants, along with soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae, post-pupae eggs, and male and female ant eggs and small larvae, reaches approximately 55%. Previously, this ratio was less than 50%, and after that, there were no large eggs produced from the post-pupae emergence.)

[0051] 2. Ecological biomimetic commercial ant egg breeding technology Step 1: During the day, use a special iron shovel to remove the grass cakes around the ecological breeding device and a large amount of soil inside, exposing the device and the soldier ants crawling on it.

[0052] Step 2: Locate the queen ant in the ant nest, and remove the queen ant, some soldier ants, some soldier ant eggs, some soldier ant larvae, some soldier ant pupae, and some soil together to reserve as a seed stock for the next year.

[0053] Step 3: Lay insect-proof netting or gauze on the ground near the ecological breeding device, take out the ecological breeding device, and shake the device vigorously at a height of 50 cm on the insect-proof netting. Soil, soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae, male and female ant eggs and small larvae, weed roots, etc. in the device will fall from the mesh onto the insect-proof netting.

[0054] Step 4: Pour the remaining large larvae of female ants before pupation and the mixture of large larvae of male ants before pupation and the mixture of large larvae of male ants after pupation (collectively known as "large eggs") from the ecological breeding device into a large sieve with a mesh size of less than 0.5 cm. Rinse the eggs several times with clean water to remove the attached soil and remove any remaining plant roots and other debris with bamboo chopsticks. This will give you a fresh, fragrant, tender, and white first-grade ant egg product containing only large larvae and pupae (large eggs). Then, according to the order requirements, package the eggs into basins and boxes.

[0055] Step 5: The large number of soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae, female ant eggs, male ant eggs, small female ant larvae, and male ant larvae that were sifted out from the ecological breeding device and fell onto the insect-proof net along with the soil are all placed into a large sieve with a mesh size of 1 mm. Taking advantage of the principle that soil dissolves in water and that soldier ants and soldier ant eggs have a lower specific gravity than water and float on the surface, as well as their small size, the mixture is rinsed and washed several times with clean water. The muddy water is filtered out of the mesh each time, leaving soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae, female ant eggs, male ant eggs, small female and male ant larvae, and weed roots. After removing the weed roots with bamboo chopsticks, the product is a grade 3 ant egg product containing fresh, fragrant, tender white soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae, female ant eggs, male ant eggs, small female and male ant larvae, and fresh, fragrant, tender yellow soldier ants, without large larvae and pupae (large eggs). This product is then placed into basins or boxes according to the order requirements. By combining grade 3 and grade 1 products according to demand, a grade 2 ant egg product is obtained, which contains a mixture of large larvae, pupae, small eggs, and soldier ants.

[0056] Step 6: Immediately bury the vacated ecological breeding device in the soil near the original site. Cover the device with soil to form a ridge or mound. Immediately place the reserved seed stock for the next year into the soil about 15 centimeters deep in the ecological breeding device. Repeat all the previous steps to continue breeding the next batch of economic ant colonies near the original site. The ant eggs will be harvested in March and April of the following years.

[0057] Biological Principles: The purpose of commercialized ecological biomimetic breeding of blind leafcutter ants is to continuously obtain economic ant colonies, including female ants, male ant pre-pupae larvae, post-pupae (commonly referred to as "large eggs"), and some soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae, and soldier ant post-pupae. Ecological biomimetic full-cycle breeding of blind leafcutter ants involves a three-year timeframe: a new colony develops into an economic colony in 22 months, and a new colony develops into a reproductive colony in 24 months. In the first year, the new queen ant burrows into the soil in May; in the second year, the primary colony rapidly multiplies and grows; in the third year, it develops into an economic colony in March and April, and into a reproductive colony in April and May. For several years thereafter, economic colonies are present in March and April, and reproductive colonies are present in April and May each year. Considering the overall product attributes, the quality of first-, second-, and third-grade ant egg products, nutritional value, and other factors, the best time to obtain cost-effective ant egg products using the ecological bionic full-cycle breeding technology for blind leafcutter ants is March and April when economic ant colonies are formed, and the best time to obtain cost-effective breeding ant colonies is April and May when breeding ant colonies are formed. The overall timeframe is March and April and April and May in the third year and the following years.

Claims

1. A biomimetic full-cycle breeding method for blind leafcutter ants, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (1) Collection of female and male ants during the mating season: From April to May each year, collection devices are set up at the exit of the female and male colonies of the blind leafcutter ant population to collect the mating female and male ants that crawl out of the nest. (2) Obtaining a new queen ant: cross-mating female and male ants in estrus period collected from different ant colonies, and collecting female ants whose wings have fallen off after mating as new queen ants; at the same time, female ants that have not mated as new male queen ants; (3) Inducing new queen ant to aestivate: Place the new female queen ant and the new male queen ant into an aestivation device filled with moist soil, so that they can burrow into the soil to build an aestivation nest and enter aestivation state in the aestivation nest. During the aestivation period, maintain suitable humidity and vegetation growth in the device. (4) Primary colony cultivation: Inducing the awakened new female queen and new male queen to lay eggs. After the first batch of soldier ant eggs develop into soldier ants through the larval and pupal stages, artificial nutrient solution is added to promote soldier ants to feed the queen and build nests until a primary new colony and primary new nest are formed in the summer hibernation device. (5) Wild breeding management: The primary new ant colony, along with its summer hibernation nest and primary new ant nest, is moved into an ecological breeding device that is pre-buried in the soil ridge or mound of the wild ecological environment. Through artificial feeding and management, the new ant colony in the ecological breeding device is promoted to grow and thrive in the natural ecological environment, and eventually forms an economic ant colony with commercial value and a reproductive ant colony with reproductive value. (6) Ant egg harvesting and continued rearing: When the target ant egg products in the economic ant colony reach the preset ratio, open the ecological breeding device, separate and reserve the queen ant and some soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae and soldier ant pupae as seed source groups, harvest all the remaining ant egg products, and then put the reserved seed source groups back into the ecological breeding device to continue the next cycle of breeding.

2. The aquaculture method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collection device mentioned in step (1) is a female ant collection cage and a male ant collection cage, which is made of plastic mesh with a mesh size of less than 0.5 cm. The bottom opening diameter is 30-40 cm, the outer large suction cage is 40-50 cm high, the top conical opening has a diameter of 2-3 cm, and the inner small suction cage is 8-12 cm high, with a top conical opening diameter of 2-3 cm. The collection time is from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm every day. The collection cage is replaced before 10:30 am every day. The collection is repeated continuously until no female or male ants crawl out of the ant colony exit.

3. The aquaculture method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-mating of male and female ants in step (2) takes place in a mating cage. The mating cage is a conical space enclosed by plastic mesh, with a bottom diameter of 60-80 cm and a height of 60-80 cm. The top conical opening has a diameter of 2-3 cm, and the bottom has two holes with a diameter of 2-3 cm for inserting a collection cage. Each mating cage contains 200-400 female and male ants, and the mating time is 5-10 minutes. The new male ant king is obtained by leaving the female ant in the collection cage without providing mating opportunities, allowing it to develop into a new male ant king.

4. The aquaculture method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The summer dormancy device described in step (3) is a wooden frame that is 2-3 meters long, 2-3 meters wide, and 50-60 centimeters high. It is filled with moist soil with a moisture content of about 80%. Each device contains 80-100 new queen ants. The top of the frame is covered with fresh grass cakes (grass cakes taken from the ecological breeding area). The summer dormancy period is from May to September. The grass cakes on the device are sprayed with water once a week and a 6-8% fertilizer solution is sprayed on the grass cakes on the device once a month to keep the soil moisture inside the device at about 80% and to ensure that the weeds on the top of the frame grow vigorously and have well-developed root systems.

5. The aquaculture method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The artificial nutrient solution mentioned in step (4) is a mixture of 50% sugar water and amino acids, which is continuously injected into the soil at a depth of 15 cm in the device through a syringe; the standard for the new primary ant colony is: the number of soldier ants reaches 80-120, the number of soldier ant eggs, larvae and pupae reaches 200, 150 and 100 respectively, and the diameter of the new primary ant nest is 5-7 cm.

6. The aquaculture method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ecological aquaculture device described in step (5) is a cylindrical space enclosed by a stainless steel, plastic, or hard iron mesh with a mesh size of less than 0.5 cm. It has a diameter of 40-50 cm, a height of 40-50 cm, a closed bottom, and an open top, filled with soil. The outdoor environment should be selected from areas with well-developed plant root systems, such as bamboo forests, shrublands, grasslands, or sugarcane fields. The ecological aquaculture devices are buried in rows 15-25 cm below the surface of the selected environment, with earthen mounds or ridges built around the devices. Adjacent devices are approximately 15 meters apart, and adjacent rows of devices are approximately 15 meters apart. The earthen mounds or ridges are structures built around the devices, 50-60 cm high and 45-55 cm wide at the bottom, covered with straw cakes.

7. The aquaculture method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The artificial feeding described in step (5) includes: inserting a syringe containing a mixture of sugar water and amino acids 5-8 days after the primary ant colony is moved in; spraying water and fertilizer solution in seasons with low rainfall to keep the grass growing vigorously on the device, embankment, and mound; using a syringe to seep the sugar water and amino acid mixture into the device, embankment, and mound to a depth of about 15 cm; retaining dead branches and fallen leaves in the breeding area to increase the accumulation of organic matter; placing 15-17 ecological breeding devices per acre of breeding area, including 6-8 female primary ant colony devices and 7-9 male primary ant colony devices.

8. The aquaculture method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The formation time of the economic ant colony mentioned in step (5) is March-April of the third year. At this time, the weight ratio of the mixed body of female ants, male ants before pupation and male ants after pupation, and soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae, soldier ant pupae, female and male ant eggs, and female and male ant larvae reaches 50%-55%; the preset ratio mentioned in step (6) is 50%-55%.

9. The aquaculture method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The specific harvesting steps described in step (6) include: (1) Remove the grass cakes and soil from the ecological breeding device to expose the device and the soldier ants that are crawling on it; (2) Locate the queen ant in the device, and remove the queen ant, some soldier ants, some soldier ant eggs, some soldier ant larvae, soldier ant pupae and some soil together to reserve as the seed source for the next year; (3) Take out the ecological breeding device and shake it vigorously above the insect-proof net to shake off the soil, soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae, small male and female ant larvae, and weed roots from the mesh. (4) The remaining large male and female ant larvae before pupation and pupae in the collection device are rinsed with clean water to remove the attached soil and the remaining plant roots to obtain first-grade ant egg products. (5) Place the shaken mixture on an insect-proof net, rinse with clean water to remove the soil, and obtain secondary ant egg products, including soldier ants, soldier ant eggs, soldier ant larvae, female ant eggs, male ant eggs, and small male and female ant larvae; (6) Rebury the vacated ecological breeding device in the soil, build a mound of soil around the device to cover it, and put the reserved seed stock into the soil 5 cm deep inside the device to continue the next cycle of breeding. (7) Every year in the ecological breeding area, select one female ant colony and one male ant colony during the breeding season for every 10 mu. Do not collect ant egg products, only collect female ants and male ants during the mating season. Repeat the above steps to ensure that there are new economic ant colonies and breeding ant colonies, and ensure the population rejuvenation and continuous income of the whole cycle of breeding.