4 replies to this topic

[DtheMac]

So I came home after being gone for a few days to find one of my most promising C. chromoiades colonies 75% dead and the bodies covered in a strange fungus I've never seen before.

http://imgur.com/gallery/SI7nngT

I removed the queen and remaining four workers (sadly I think they ate the brood) before filling the old test tube with isopropyl alcohol, and plugging it with hot glue.

I was curious to see if anyone could give me any information on what happened, what kind of fungus this is, and any tips on keeping the rest of the colony alive after this.

Thanks folks!

[Leo]

ARGH I hate that fungus.

[TennesseeAnts]

I have the same problems around January. Do you live in Tennessee? That may be a factor.

[TennesseeAnts]

As for keeping them alive, make sure they have lots of food. Otherwise the queen may not lay again.

[DtheMac]

I'm in Ohio, so I wonder if it's a similar or the same issue. The queen and workers I saved seem to be doing okay. I gave them some honey and thawed frozen mysis shrimp (which I've found to be a great protein food for anyone that doesn't know what it is) so we'll see how they do.