680 replies to this topic

[ANTdrew]

You got to, man!

[ANTdrew]

Update 10-7-2020



I sent the above photo to Mack Pridgen yesterday to show off how well my Crematogaster colony is doing in their Nucleus home. His response kind of cracked me up, so here it is:
"Good grief, that's a really big Crematogaster cerasi colony."

That basically sums up what is going on with this colony. They've been thriving in the Nucleus six months now - basically as long as the current pandemic. They continue growing and feeding really well. I'll probably keep them going for another month, or at least until it's cold enough in my parents' basement to bring their whole set up over there for diapause. Until then, I'll probably be taping a heat pad back on the back of the Nucleus again like I did in the spring time if it gets much colder in my house. I'll have the winter months to rest from escape prevention and dream about expansion plans for my prize Divas.

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Edited by ANTdrew, March 2 2021 - 7:14 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

What about a terrarium with some of your native plants? That would be cool.

[KitsAntVa]

Do they stay around that size or do they get bigger colonies than that?

[Kaelwizard]

Do they stay around that size or do they get bigger colonies than that?

Pretty sure they can get to 10k but I don’t remember where I heard that and if it is true.

[ANTdrew]

I think colonies can get to 10,000 or more, so way bigger than this.

Most of my native plants need full sun to thrive and grow at least 3-4' tall, so they wouldn't be ideal for a terrarium.

[KitsAntVa]

How big do colonies of lineolata get?

[Ants_Dakota]

How big do colonies of lineolata get?

I'm pretty sure they are almost identical, so i would assume the same size.

[KitsAntVa]

I heard that usually lineolata usually have smaller colonies despite that, I'm not totally sure its that species of crematogaster but i will post a id request later.

[ANTdrew]

C. cerasi and lineolata are basically identical other than a few hairs here or there. I may be generalizing, but I doubt there is a big difference in their average colony size.

[Kaelwizard]

According to AntWiki, lineolata get to like 100 workers.

 

Edit: make that less than 200.

Edited by Kaelwizard, October 7 2020 - 5:28 AM.

[KitsAntVa]

wow only 100! i'm definitely keeping my colony ill get a fortress for them for christmas.

[RushmoreAnts]

 I sent the above photo to Mack Pridgen yesterday to show off how well my Crematogaster colony is doing in their Nucleus home. His response kind of cracked me up, so here it is:

                                      "Good grief, that's a really big Crematogaster cerasi colony."

That's very true. 

 

According to AntWiki, lineolata get to like 100 workers.

 

Edit: make that less than 200.

Seems like the ideal Crematogaster colony, lol.

[ANTdrew]

I find that hard to believe. AnthonyP163 had a lineolata colony way bigger than that earlier this year.

[ANTdrew]

Here’s the journal: https://www.formicul...-journal/page-2

[RushmoreAnts]

I find that hard to believe. AnthonyP163 had a lineolata colony way bigger than that earlier this year.

It did have many queens, though.

[Ants_Dakota]

 

I find that hard to believe. AnthonyP163 had a lineolata colony way bigger than that earlier this year.

It did have many queens, though.

 

crematogaster are polygynous? 

[KitsAntVa]

I guess it’s like 12 times 125-150 then you will definitely get more than 1000.

[Kaelwizard]

 

 I sent the above photo to Mack Pridgen yesterday to show off how well my Crematogaster colony is doing in their Nucleus home. His response kind of cracked me up, so here it is:

                                      "Good grief, that's a really big Crematogaster cerasi colony."

That's very true. 

 

According to AntWiki, lineolata get to like 100 workers.

 

Edit: make that less than 200.

Seems like the ideal Crematogaster colony, lol.

 

Yeah, if it is true that's what I hope my queens are.

[KitsAntVa]

I’m about to post a I’d request hopefully my colony is lineolata