30 replies to this topic

[Ferox_Formicae]

Yesterday, Solenopsis invicta flights were going on, and they were absolutely everywhere! I ended up catching 11 queens in the afternoon. Since Solenopsis invicta participate in pleometrosis, I figured that I might as well keep them communally, and a was running out of containers to put them in, so that would work out perfectly. The queens seem to enjoy clumping together in a large ball, and I have yet to see any of the queens start fighting, which is a good sign. I'm wondering if they'll keep most if not all of the queens alive, or if they'll only keep a single queen alive. Only time will tell...

Edited by Ferox_Formicae, June 10 2019 - 8:12 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

I had a colony with 7 queens at capture, but the workers killed all of them.

[Ferox_Formicae]

I had a colony with 7 queens at capture, but the workers killed all of them.

Jeez! 

I guess I'll have to be careful and keep a close eye on them!

[Ferox_Formicae]

I checked up on the queens yesterday to look for eggs, and there is an absolutely enourmous pile with more than 50 eggs! They weren't kidding when they say these ants a quick growing!

[ANTdrew]

Watch out! These will keep you busy, for sure.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Watch out! These will keep you busy, for sure.

Yeah, I'll probably get them a terrarium as the colony gets larger.

[Kaelwizard]

This is why they are such successful invaders.

[AntPhycho]

I too have a 7 queen solenopsis invicta colony founding. They have a massive pile of brood. No fighting.

[Ferox_Formicae]

I too have a 7 queen solenopsis invicta colony founding. They have a massive pile of brood. No fighting.

Well hopefully mine don't fight either!

[Ferox_Formicae]

Several of the eggs are starting to hatch. I can't even comprehend how many workers there are going to be once the all eclose! There will be well over 200 for sure!

[TennesseeAnts]

My queens got along perfectly. They always huddled together. They workers kill all of the queens.

[Ferox_Formicae]

My queens got along perfectly. They always huddled together. They workers kill all of the queens.

I'll have to be careful. I'll probably have to get them into a larger encloser. That may help.

[TennesseeAnts]

Mine were in a mini hearth XL.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Mine were in a mini hearth XL.

Mine will definitely have to be in something a bit larger, as there will be over 200 workers. I'll probably make a custom nest, and I'll use one of your outworlds once I'm able to buy one.

[TennesseeAnts]

Solenopsis invicta might be able to fit through it he ventilation gaps... I will test some Solenopsis molesta in one of mine.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Solenopsis invicta might be able to fit through it he ventilation gaps... I will test some Solenopsis molesta in one of mine.

Well if Solenopsis molesta can't fit through, Solenopsis invicta definitely won't be able to! 

[Ferox_Formicae]

Not even a month after their capture, and they already got pupa! That was CRAZY fast! I knew they had fast growth, but this is ridiculous!

[Ferox_Formicae]

The pupa are starting to darken, and I suspect they should be hatching within a few days! My first workers of the season! 

[ANTdrew]

Cool!

[AntPhycho]

The pupa are starting to darken, and I suspect they should be hatching within a few days! My first workers of the season! 

It is so funny my 7 queen colony is in alignment with yours haha    I just checked today and I have some pupa ready to hatch maybe within a week.

 

EDIT: Checked again and I saw one nanitic! She must have been hiding in the egg pile when I first checked! Gave them some honey!

Edited by AntPhycho, June 9 2019 - 5:48 PM.