4 replies to this topic

[Maculata]

Best guess at an ID:  Camponotus (Subgenus Tanaemyrmex, New World Group II: picipes-fumidus) sp. Possibly C. semitestaceus

 

Any suggestions on diet?

 

Currently feeding honey (50% diluted) and high quality cricket/roach food.  They carefully dig / pick thru the roach food and take maybe 30% of the components.  They always have food.  They violently reject frozen/thawed crickets on several occasions. 

Of three 4 fertile queens from last summer, colony sizes vary from 10 to 40 workers.  All look fat and healthy. I did not hibernate.   They are heated to ~85 to 90 degrees F in the warmest spots with a 7 degree night drop.  

 

Is this a slow growing species or are they underfeed or incorrectly feed?  

 

Wild colonies appear to be small and not yet very active.  

 

Album: Camponotus (Subgenus Tanaemyrmex, New World Group II: fumidus) sp.

27 images

0 comments

 

Thanks

 

Edited by Maculata, May 7 2019 - 8:39 PM.

[YsTheAnt]

40 workers for a 1-1.5yr old colony is a very healthy colony growth wise. I would recommend giving them more variety if possible however, such as bloodworms, fruit flies, hummingbird nectar, etc.

The current diet seems to be working fine as well, so no change is absolutely necessary.

Cool ants!

[Maculata]

I tried Wingless Drosophila Melanogaster fruit flies.  They happily coexisted with the Camponotus (Subgenus Tanaemyrmex, New World Group II: picipes-fumidus) sp. Possibly C. semitestaceus ants, drinking honey side-by-side.   The Camponotus towered over the flies as far as size.  I am beginning to think my Camponotus are vegetarians.  Two other much smaller species of ants cleaned up the fruit flies within minutes. 

 

I will try Flightless Drosophila Hydei next.

 

Does anyone have trouble with mites coming in via live fruit flies?  Do I need to treat or freeze the flies prior to feeding?

 

Thanks,

Tim

 

(Edited to add info and emphasis)

Edited by Maculata, May 25 2019 - 9:10 PM.

[FSTP]

what sp of fly did you try? maybe try a larger fly like a hydei

[PwnerPie]

My Camponotus LOVE fruit flies. Store bought flightless. The Camponotus chase them around, good exercise!