20 replies to this topic

[Mettcollsuss]

I did some trading/buying earlier today and got a couple new colonies. One of them was a Brachymyrmex patagonicus colony with three workers and a bit of brood. They're doing well. Not much to report on yet. I have kept B. depilis before, and while B. patagonicus is still really small, they still seem massive next to B. depilis. Does anyone have any advice on this species? I assume they're not that much different than most ants, but small species like this tend to be easy to accidentally kill.

 

I'll add photos soon.

Edited by Mettcollsuss, March 2 2019 - 11:57 AM.

[Mettcollsuss]

So it turns out I was COMPLETELY wrong on the ID. They're actually Tapinoma sessile. I don't know how I messed up the ID that bad.

[ANTdrew]

Good luck, but Tapinoma don’t take to captivity. They’ll be more than happy taking over your kitchen, though. Lol.

[Mettcollsuss]

got some photos

 

 

 

 

 

[ANTdrew]

You can find as many queens as possible and merge them into one happy family. There really aren’t many journals on here about successful colonies, though. Maybe do a free range outworld in your kitchen? No doubt the polydymous [censored] would move out into who knows where, though.

[Mettcollsuss]

We have two new pupae!

[Mettcollsuss]

You can find as many queens as possible and merge them into one happy family. There really aren’t many journals on here about successful colonies, though. Maybe do a free range outworld in your kitchen? No doubt the polydymous [censored] would move out into who knows where, though.

I already have them all over my kitchen every summer, but I've never seen one of their queens out. But I'll try to catch some workers (and hopefully a queen or two) to add.

[TennesseeAnts]

These love sugar water and fruit flies in my experience.

[Mettcollsuss]

Two new workers just eclosed. We're at 5 workers, 2 pupae, and about 15 eggs.

[Mettcollsuss]

6 workers now

[Mettcollsuss]

And 7 workers

[Mettcollsuss]

An eighth worker eclosed today, and they have something like 20 eggs. They accepted a mealworm head yesterday, which is the first time in a while they've immediately accepted food. It usually takes a day or two to accept food, or they just don't accept it at all.

[Mettcollsuss]

They just took another, larger mealworm head.

[Rstheant]

Maybe try a cricket? Or some frozen fruit flies?

[Mettcollsuss]

[Mettcollsuss]

10 workers. Gave them a cricket leg today. They're eating a lot. Tons of brood.

[Polyacanthus]

Any updates?

[TennesseeAnts]

They died a few months back, unfortunately.

[ANTdrew]

This isn’t the best species to keep, in my opinion. I have a “free range” colony taking over my kitchen, though.

[Polyacanthus]

That's what I've read. Just looking for pointers from anyone who's had success.