1113 replies to this topic

[TennesseeAnts]

Camponotus chromaiodes (Colony #3)
1-23-20

This is the 2 queen colony. I have sold them to a fellow ant keeper in Tennessee.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis (Colony #1)
1-23-20

The fungus hasn't completely disappeared after all! They are growing it on The side of the cotton ball used for hydration, and it's about twice the size it was last week. They seem to enjoy grass and rose petals the most. I will be trying to find some frass to give them though, as that is supposed to be their favorite substrate to use.

See? What did I tell you about the fungus growing fast? Ferox is right again! 

[TennesseeAnts]

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis (Colony #1)
1-23-20
The fungus hasn't completely disappeared after all! They are growing it on The side of the cotton ball used for hydration, and it's about twice the size it was last week. They seem to enjoy grass and rose petals the most. I will be trying to find some frass to give them though, as that is supposed to be their favorite substrate to use.

See? What did I tell you about the fungus growing fast? Ferox is right again! 

Yeah that was just an old rose petal that had been discolored. I have backup fungus on its way.

[madbiologist]

Camponotus chromaiodes (Colony #3)
1-23-20

This is the 2 queen colony. I have sold them to a fellow ant keeper in Tennessee.

2 queen chromaiodes colony? Aren't they monogyne?

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[TennesseeAnts]

Normally, yes. But these queens made an exception I guess.

[TennesseeAnts]

Camponotus chromaiodes (Colony #1)
1-26-20

Out of hibernation now. They lost about 3 workers. Still have 300-400 workers, and they are drinking some honey water. They've overwintered about 300 larvae, most are micro larvae, but some are ready to pupate.

[TennesseeAnts]

Aphaenogaster tennesseensis (Colony #1)
2-1-20

Her large larva is about to pupate! She's got about 10 more new eggs and a few smaller larvae too. With the large larva, you can see her last fruit fly meal, as her center is bright red.

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis (Colony #1)
2-1-20

Three medium-large larvae and a bunch of eggs! I expect them to break 50 workers this year. They've loved chia seeds recently, with workers (and even the queen!) going out to collect them. The larvae have a yellowish green center, which is the result of the chia seeds. I find it adorable the way the workers pile the larvae on the pile of chia seeds, every once in a while, a larva falling off and a worker putting her back.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Nice! Keep up the good work, and I hope you can reap the rewards!

[RushmoreAnts]

Nice! Keep up the good work, and I hope you can reap the rewards!

Harvester ants reaping..... was that a pun? 

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

 

Nice! Keep up the good work, and I hope you can reap the rewards!

Harvester ants reaping..... was that a pun? 

 

Oh wait- I didn't even mean it as a pun    

[ANTdrew]

Even better!

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

yeah!

[ForestDragon]

yo my guy, one of my A. tennesseensis died, she started pulling on wet cotton, got tankled, and drowned i did my best for ant cpr, but as you know, it doesnt exist rip queen

[TennesseeAnts]

yo my guy, one of my A. tennesseensis died, she started pulling on wet cotton, got tankled, and drowned i did my best for ant cpr, but as you know, it doesnt exist rip queen

Did she have any hosts? Mine don't really pull cotton once they have hosts.

[ForestDragon]

 

yo my guy, one of my A. tennesseensis died, she started pulling on wet cotton, got tankled, and drowned i did my best for ant cpr, but as you know, it doesnt exist rip queen

Did she have any hosts? Mine don't really pull cotton once they have hosts.

 

no she didn't, i caught her too late in the season i overwintered them, the other is fine and I'm giving her hosts once i locate that one aphaeno colony i know of

[TennesseeAnts]

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis (Colony #1)
2-5-20

The fungus arrived! They have it tucked away in their tube with the queen. I gave them a petal to feed the fungus, and they seem to be enjoying it. Thanks to @PurdueEntomology for helping me out.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Looks amazing! Sometimes I wonder about keeping fungus growoing ants, but remember they are subterranean 

[TennesseeAnts]

Looks amazing! Sometimes I wonder about keeping fungus growoing ants, but remember they are subterranean 

They may live under the ground, but they are not subterranean. They actively forage above ground for plant matter and caterpillar frass.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

oh yeah that makes sense. lol, just goes to show how little I know about some species of ants lol...

[TheMicroPlanet]

Congratulations for solving the Great Fungus Crisis of 2020!