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[ANTdrew]

I also found three new Crematogaster queens on 8/18. I’ll be selling all three if folks are interested

[ANTdrew]

Update 1-11-2025

The forum is in a much deeper diapause state than normal, so I figured I might as well add some colony updates. My Crematogaster mega-colony are currently hibernating in my parents' unheated basement. I kept them unheated in my kitchen all the way until January this year, but I figured a shortened winter rest period would do them some good. I detached their large outworld from the main nest in order to drive them over to my parents' house. It's always a crazy experience driving with thousands of ants next to you. I'll leave them in diapause until March probably.
Unfortunately, two of the new Crematogaster queens I found in August have died in their test tubes. At least one is still hanging on. It will be fun starting her colony up in a few weeks time. Stay tuned!

Here’s the colony riding shotgun:


Back side of their UtahAnts nest. Quite a lot of brood, much of which will probably turn out to be alates come spring.

Edited by ANTdrew, January 11 2025 - 3:42 PM.

[rptraut]

Hello ANTdrew;

 

It's unfortunate you lost two of your three new Crematogaster queens and makes me wonder if they're just as variable as the queens here.    I've lost many queens in the founding process, and I'm reminded how much we should treasure the successful ones. 

RPT