8 replies to this topic

[CatsnAnts]

Hello, I just recently (this morning) found a Strumigenys queen wondering about. I have confirmed it is a queen because I spent another 30 min sifting through mulch to find a worker to compare it to. I was wondering if I could raise her in a test tube setup (with or without substrate). Or should I put her in a dirt filled petrified dish? I have plenty of springtails around outside where I live, so that won’t be a problem. Just tell me everything you know because I really don’t want to kill her.

EDIT: also, can I introduce that worker to her that I found?

Edited by CatsnAnts, June 19 2019 - 6:16 AM.

[NickAnter]

I too have never kept Strumigenys, but I have read that they generally need substrate and springtails.  Not many have raised them from a single queen though, so good luck!

[CatsnAnts]

Thank you! I'm plan on putting her in a test tube with some of the ground up mulch mixed with some dirt. Then I’ll add some springtails and hopefully I’ll get a colony out of this!

[CatsnAnts]

Here is a picture of her setup. I put some mulch/dirt in a test tube for her to kind of do as she pleases. I also put in that worker that I found earlier, and they seem to be getting along. I’ll add some springtails later, and then then probably just keep putting them in as time goes on and they get eaten. Does this setup look like it’s going to work?

Edited by CatsnAnts, June 19 2019 - 7:00 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Here is a picture of her setup. I put some mulch/dirt in a test tube for her to kind of do as she pleases. I also put in that worker that I found earlier, and they seem to be getting along. I’ll add some springtails later, and then then probably just keep putting them in as time goes on and they get eaten. Does this setup look like it’s going to work?

It should.

[ponerinecat]

Too open, add some loose substrate or  small pieces of leaves ond or bark. It reduces visibility but simulates a natural environment for her to hunt and makes her more secure. Add a whole bunch of springtails and add more only when there aren't many more. They will stop mold from growing and may even breed, making the queen low maintenance and allowing her to choose how much food she needs.

Many are also polygyne.

[CatsnAnts]

Too open, add some loose substrate or small pieces of leaves ond or bark. It reduces visibility but simulates a natural environment for her to hunt and makes her more secure. Add a whole bunch of springtails and add more only when there aren't many more. They will stop mold from growing and may even breed, making the queen low maintenance and allowing her to choose how much food she needs.

Many are also polygyne.

Wow, thanks! Lots of good info!

EDIT: also, how do you recomend going about collecting springtails? I caught one today, but their size and speed make them so hard to catch. Should I start a culture or something?

Edited by CatsnAnts, June 19 2019 - 2:53 PM.

[ponerinecat]

 

Too open, add some loose substrate or small pieces of leaves ond or bark. It reduces visibility but simulates a natural environment for her to hunt and makes her more secure. Add a whole bunch of springtails and add more only when there aren't many more. They will stop mold from growing and may even breed, making the queen low maintenance and allowing her to choose how much food she needs.

Many are also polygyne.

Wow, thanks! Lots of good info!

EDIT: also, how do you recomend going about collecting springtails? I caught one today, but their size and speed make them so hard to catch. Should I start a culture or something?

 

aspirator, or simply scoop up debree with springtails and put in water. you can scoop them off the top. 

[CatsnAnts]

Oh ya! I forgot that you could put them in water to separate them! I have a nice plan for a culture.