71 replies to this topic

[Rstheant]

Once, I opened their nest, to give them food, but some workers climbed up on my forceps. Them loco!!

[Xanuri]

I was able to confirm this morning that the Queen does infact have 3 pupae in cocoons. Yay!!! can't wait til they eclose!

[ANTdrew]

Awesome photos! What macro lens did you order, and does it fit on iPhone?

[Xanuri]

Awesome photos! What macro lens did you order, and does it fit on iPhone?

Thanks, I am pretty amateur at photography!

 

The Macro Lens I ordered off of Amazon

https://smile.amazon...duct/B076H9CYL1

 

I am pretty sure it would fit most phones so long as the lens is near the top of the phone as opposed to a lower more central position

[Xanuri]

Summary (2019.02.21)

Brood Inventory:

• 5-10 eggs
• ~ 6-8 Larvae
• 5 Pupae

So if you have been following this story, you know that I have been doing everything I can to ensure the survival of this Founding Queen. In my previous write up I told you all about the 5 workers and the batch of larvae I caught and have been caring for them separately.

 

Well today I have some additional good news. The side project has produced 2 more Pupae and I have successfully transferred them to the Queen, these two Pupae are 5-7 days behind the other 3 but I feel like that within a 2-4 week time frame she will have 5 workers and we will be out of trouble!

[Rstheant]

You could add some sand. Maybe it will help any larvae pupate.

[sirjordanncurtis]

You could add some sand. Maybe it will help any larvae pupate.

 

C. fragilis do not need sand to pupate btw. The ants won't give their larvae sand, and it's pretty much made of whatever is fed to the larvae.

Sometimes, sand will only be a nuisance, since they don't do anything with it, but they will cover up every possible surface with sand and just put sand all over everything wet.

[Rstheant]

Ehh, I like to keep a little sand in my fragilis setup. So far I’ve had no problems. It sometimes helps with a little flooding too. It will absorb some water. But my opinion of course.

[sirjordanncurtis]

I have sand in my setups too, bu I only started using I after they made it to 70 workers. They they fell in love with it and started to place sand on every surface they could find

[Xanuri]

These guys are still in a founding test tube setup!

[Xanuri]

Summary (2019.02.24)

Brood Inventory:

• 5-10 eggs
• ~ 6-8 Larvae
• 4 Pupae
• 1 Worker

On Friday night one of the Pupae eclosed and we now have a very cute small worker for the Queen, Yay! I imagine the other 2 should eclose in the next couple days!

[Rstheant]

You should make a pencil case outworld for them. These, in my experience, are frantic, which makes tube feeding extremely difficult.

[YsTheAnt]

Any outworld will make feeding easier, pencil case or otherwise.

[Xanuri]

Summary (2019.02.26)

Brood Inventory:

• 5-10 eggs
• ~ 6-8 Larvae
• 3 Pupae
• 2 Worker

This morning a second worker eclosed! Yay! She is another small worker, so it seems our chances for survival are increasing!

[Xanuri]

You should make a pencil case outworld for them. These, in my experience, are frantic, which makes tube feeding extremely difficult.

 

 

Any outworld will make feeding easier, pencil case or otherwise.

 

I have a 4 x 7 3/4" acrylic box that I can use, I also ordered one of these (large size)

https://tarheelants....-chamber-3-inch

 

but its been a week without any shipping notice and I sent an email with no response

[Rstheant]

Ok, that’s good. As soon you pull out the cotton plug, they workers tend to run out.

[Xanuri]

Summary (2019.02.28)

Brood Inventory:

• 5-10 eggs
• ~ 6-8 Larvae
• 3 Pupae
• 3 Worker

Sometime during the night a third worker eclosed! This is so awesome, I really at one point thought this queen was doomed!

Edited by Xanuri, February 28 2019 - 12:42 PM.

[Xanuri]

Here is an updated pic of the Queen and her 3 workers!

 

[Rstheant]

Don’t worry, Xan, I’m sure your fragilis will be fine. Give them a tiny protein or some sugar; it would be advisable for a small colony. Don’t check on them too much. Also give them a small outworld, like a BoxBox container with some hydrostone, and tube molds. You don’t need anything too fancy.

[Xanuri]

Summary (2019.03.07)

Brood Inventory:

• 5-10 eggs
• ~ 6 Larvae
• 4 Pupae
• 4 Worker

Last night worker number 4 eclosed! Yay!