28 replies to this topic

[AntsBC]

Hey everyone,

 

I've decided to create a journal on my Lasius americanus queen, as she is about to get her first workers any day now.

 

In my parts, Lasius spp. are quite discrete, so I was actually quite excited when I found her walking on the side of a pool, last year in late July. Luckily, I had a test tube in my pocket (you never know when you're going to find queens) , so I was able to capture her.

 

She laid her first batch of eggs shortly after being housed in a test tube, and she overwintered them as larva. Now, she has almost too much brood to handle. I estimate around 15ish larva, and three pupae. Two of the pupae aren't in the picture; she has them set off to the other side of the test tube. I fed her half of a spider so hopefully she will be able to keep up with feeding all of her larva.

 

Here's some photo's of her with her brood:

 

Edited by AntsBC, October 28 2019 - 11:20 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

Lasius look so fun to keep! I really want them!

[AntsBC]

Update, July 5, 2019: First Worker Born

 

This queen got her first worker yesterday. The nanitic is still very pale, and quite timid. She was hiding under her mom for the majority of the checkup.

 

I have high hopes for this colony, as I think they are going to grow quite quickly. This queen has the most amount of brood I've ever seen a queen have in her first batch, (I'm used to Formica, lol).

 

Edited by AntsBC, July 5 2019 - 10:20 AM.

[ANTdrew]

So cool! Finding a non-parasitic Lasius is on my bucket list.

[NickAnter]

Congrats!

[NickAnter]

How are they?

[AntsBC]

Update, August 24, 2019:

 

These guys are doing amazing, considering the fact I have only been feeding them once every two weeks or so. I can't imagine how well they would do if I fed them seriously, as I do for my Formica colonies. It's a shame I didn't feed them more often earlier in the season; they could have easily been on their third generation by now. They have access to honey around the clock, so I think that must be a big contributor to their growth.

 

Edited by AntsBC, August 24 2019 - 1:17 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Why not max them out with protein?

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

update???

[AntsBC]

Update, Monday, October 28, 2019:

 

Unfortunately, I have to inform you all that this colony has passed on from my grasp.

 

Here's a summary of what happened: 

 

I was moving these guys to a new test tube in our front garage.  Yesterday, I came to check on them only to find the test tube smashed in half with around five workers and some larvae left in the tube.  The exit was blocked off with duck tape.  Instinctively, I went to my Dad and asked what happened.  He informed me that the repair man (someone who was working on something in our garage) had accidentally knocked the test tube off the counter while he was working.  The queen and 90% of the workers were missing, so I'm assuming they must have been flung out of the test tube upon impact. 

 

Although this is a sad ending to this colony and to this journal, at the end of the day, it was just an accident.  At least the repair guy cared enough that he tried to contain the remaining workers by duck-taping the exit of the smashed test tube.  Unfortunately, his efforts ultimately accounted to nothing because the queen had been let loose, and without her, the colony is worth nothing.  I ended up putting down the remaining workers; may they rest in peace.

 

Anyways, I'll start this journal up again if I get my hands on another Lasius americanus queen/colony.

Edited by AntsBC, October 28 2019 - 11:27 AM.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Best of luck, albeit, a somber ending

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I am thinking of trying to catch some next year so I may PM you to ask some questions about his species. You probably know a lot more than me lol

[ANTdrew]

Damn, that’s a shame. Hopefully the colony will go on to better things though. I finally found a normal Lasius queen on Friday.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

HOW DO YOU FIND QUEENS THIS LATE?!!!!!

[ANTdrew]

HOW DO YOU FIND QUEENS THIS LATE?!!!!!

I don’t know. We’re down south here, so it was 80 degrees yesterday. Lasius are still flying, but mostly parasites.

[TennesseeAnts]

Truth.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

It's 36 degrees by me, where I live is like an off brand Canada. We're supposed to get "substantial snow" on Halloween...

[TennesseeAnts]

It's 36 degrees by me, where I live is like an off brand Canada. We're supposed to get "substantial snow" on Halloween...

I'm still collecting Lasius queens.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

*falls down stairs* Excuse me, what the f-

[TennesseeAnts]