6 replies to this topic

[Etherwulf]

This is a Nylanderia sp. queen that was also caught in late December 2014. 

 

Her founding brood has not hatched but she already has a nice pile of pupae. 

 

 

Edited by Etherwulf, February 16 2015 - 6:37 AM.

[Etherwulf]

First nanitics have eclosed.

 

 

[dean_k]

Grats on nanitics. It always feels good to have nanitcs.

[Etherwulf]

This colony has been growing fairly fast with around 25±3 workers, 6±2 pupae and 13±2 larvae. The queen has tucked herself under the cotton so a clear photo of her is difficult to obtain.  

 

They have been feeding on my own synthetic ant diets as well as chilled fruit flies. This species is very entertaining to observe when hunting prey. They are acid sprayers and latch on their prey with their mandibles before expelling formic acid from their gasters.

 

Contrary to their name, they are actually a very calm species and are surprisingly easier to feed than you might think. They spend a large amount of time clustered around the queen and tending to the brood but quickly become a flurry of movements when food is offered.

 

Pictures below.

 

 

 

 

Edited by Etherwulf, March 3 2015 - 3:54 AM.

[Etherwulf]

This colony has been fairly enjoyable to keep but I don't think I will be keeping them for long because of a lack of time. 

 

Again, this colony has been fed 95% synthetic diets with one fruitfly a week. There isn't a lot of brood because this photo was taken right after an incomplete move into a new test tube.

 

[dspdrew]

I'm going to probably start eliminating some of my colonies as well. Particularly the smaller and more boring ones. I figure it will allow me to focus more on my favorites.

[Servercheck]

The elimination stage has begun!