Study finds salt good for ants

[Zervoid]

A study has found salt is good for ants and insects in general; and if offered will be taken readily in preference to sugar in some cases. The study found ants that eat more plant matter also would seek out salt more than ants who were entirely carnivorous.

http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2008/10/27_salt.shtml

I guess that could partly explain why these herbivorous birds are eating meat.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-23/rainbow-lorikeets-eating-meat-baffles-bird-experts/6337984

 

[Tenevanica]

Then should I put in salt cubes with my beetles and roaches? I'm not being sarcastic here, I actually want to know if it would be a good idea.

 

[Introvertebrate]

Then should I put in salt cubes with my beetles and roaches? I'm not being sarcastic here, I actually want to know if it would be a good idea.

I don't know what you feed your insects, but salt is a required nutrient in pet food.

 

[Tenevanica]

I don't know what you feed your insects, but salt is a required nutrient in pet food.

I all my herbivores insects the same. The diet that I describe here:
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?277021-Herbivores-Invertebrate-Recipes

They are getting salt through their normal foods, but I want to know if it would be good for them if I added salt cubes. As an ADDITION.

 

[Smokehound714]

Salt is extremely important for many insects.

Butterflies diptera and many beetles will be attracted feces and urine to obtain salts they otherwise cant find in their usual foods.

Some beetles, like asbolus, eleodes, and other tenebs find urine irresistible.. Im sure ants are not an exception.

 

[Hisserdude]

When I went camping last year, I had to pee behind a tree, and as I was peeing, this cute little bumblebee comes along and starts drinking it. Every time for the next few days it would come and drink my pee behind that tree. It was gross yet interesting at the same time.

 

[The Snark]

Let's clarify. Sodium is an extremely important nutrient to most animals. The chloride part just makes it available for assimilation. Put some in the enclosure, available but not contaminating the environment. If the critter needs it it will go for it.