4 replies to this topic

[Tspivey16]

Thought I would share the current status of several of my colonies as the season is closing:

 

This is my Myrmica colony - I found this colony of about 15 in the wild. Interesting is that there are about 3 queens, so perhaps this could multiply into a pretty good size next season.

 

 

This is one of my Solenopsis molesta colonies. This particular one has given me trouble, as they are in a purpetual egg stage. Hard to believe that none of this group of queens are fertile, but it could be:

 

 

This is my Camponotus nearcticus colony. I found her very early in the season, and she has had slow, but steady growth.

 

 

This is my Formica colony.

 

 

This is my current favorite colony - my Apheanogaster tennesseensis. This one is interesting as well - as this was wild caught and I was sure I missed the queen, and just had alates. I believe I saw mating activity within what I caught, and each of the alates were dismantled until only one was left - and this large egg pile appeared. So, there is no way for me to prove this - as these queens are so close in size to workers is I suppose one could have sneaked by- but I do wish I had been more scientific about what I had collected.

 

 

 

[dspdrew]

So have any of these Aphaenogaster tennesseensis eggs turned to larvae? Do you know that there is a fertile queen in that colony?

[Tspivey16]

I guess that would be the next step to observe. There are larvae in the colony, but some were collected. So I will watch this large batch of eggs closely. The queen is to the top right of the eggs.

Edited by Tspivey16, October 16 2014 - 5:33 AM.

[Tpro4]

U have s. Molesta? Lucky, how much if would you charge for them? If I ever move to Ohio.

Edited by Tpro4, October 16 2014 - 6:22 AM.

[Ants4fun]

Any update on your colonies?