85 replies to this topic

[Ferox_Formicae]

Both queens have been settling in and using the catkins I gave them to grow their fungus. The fungus is about the size of the ants themselves now, if not a bit bigger. I'll probably go ahead and give them some yellow poplar petal clippings, as I've been observing some wild colonies readily accepting them, and I'd might as well try them out.

[TennesseeAnts]

Very cool! Can't wait for pics!

[Ferox_Formicae]

Any time I check up on these gals they seem to be tending to their fungus, wedging bits of organic detritus into it, doing that cute little thing where they use their feet to wiggle it into the fungus. The fungus has grown to be quite a bit larger than the queens themselves at this point. I have yet to see brood, but I'll try and check again tonight to make sure I'm not missing anything.

[TennesseeAnts]

Any time I check up on these gals they seem to be tending to their fungus, wedging bits of organic detritus into it, doing that cute little thing where they use their feet to wiggle it into the fungus. The fungus has grown to be quite a bit larger than the queens themselves at this point. I have yet to see brood, but I'll try and check again tonight to make sure I'm not missing anything.

Wow, that's awesome! I might head to one of my local Trachymyrmex populations to see if I can dig up a founding chamber or two myself.

[Ferox_Formicae]

 

Any time I check up on these gals they seem to be tending to their fungus, wedging bits of organic detritus into it, doing that cute little thing where they use their feet to wiggle it into the fungus. The fungus has grown to be quite a bit larger than the queens themselves at this point. I have yet to see brood, but I'll try and check again tonight to make sure I'm not missing anything.

Wow, that's awesome! I might head to one of my local Trachymyrmex populations to see if I can dig up a founding chamber or two myself.

 

Good luck finding one!

[Ferox_Formicae]

Both queens died. They were likely infertile, and were not accepting any of the substrate I offered them. I'll put this journal on hold for now, but I will be returning with a mature colony in the near future, so stay tuned!