115 replies to this topic

[Kaelwizard]

It rained for most of the day but the sun came out later at around 6:00. I caught four Tetramorium queens. Two in single queen set ups and two being kept together.

Also, forgot to mention this, but the single queens are boosted with wild pupae.

Edited by Kaelwizard, October 10 2019 - 2:15 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

Both queens in the dual set up are like dead. (Both previously injured). One of the single queens is tending the pupae. The other is hanging from the cotton. (Vertical test tube holder- so she is able to hang because of that).

[ANTdrew]

I’m not a fan of the whole combining Tetramorium queens thing. They are the most aggressive ants around after all.

[Kaelwizard]

I’m not a fan of the whole combining Tetramorium queens thing. They are the most aggressive ants around after all.

I know. Part of it was that I had no other founding set ups and two extra queens. One of the dual queens actually laid eggs already.

 

The single queens seem to be doing well. One is just hanging out on the wall but the other is caring for the boosted pupae. 

 

The ants are heated by the way.

[Kaelwizard]

So, only one queen is practically dead because of her injuries (not from other queen!). When I found her, she was being dragged away and attacked by a worker. She lost function in one leg and half of each antennae is missing. The other queen in the set up has a injured gaster, but is the one caring for the eggs. That leads me to think she is the egg layer. I am going to put the attacked queen out of her misery. 

[Kaelwizard]

I fed her to my pet grass spider so that she was not a waste.

[Kaelwizard]

All queens have eggs.

[Kaelwizard]

The other test tube queen is caring for two pupae now. The first one has like, 6.

I measured the temperatures the heat may makes the tubes and the vial. It is like 82-85 degrees F.

Edited by Kaelwizard, July 22 2019 - 7:11 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Perfect temp. Good luck!

[Kaelwizard]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[Kaelwizard]

Queen 1

Queen 2

Queen 3

Edited by Kaelwizard, July 23 2019 - 6:31 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

Close up of Queen 2 and brood:

Edited by Kaelwizard, July 23 2019 - 1:36 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Cool! My new Tetra queen just got her first workers.

[Kaelwizard]

Nice!

[Kaelwizard]

Queen 1:
Still has pupae and eggs.
Queen 2:
Got her first worker! Has pupae and eggs.
Queen 3:
Still has eggs.

Also I caught a Formica queen. This journal will now include all of my ants.

Edited by Kaelwizard, July 25 2019 - 9:08 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

I am getting a mini hearth for when the Tetramorium get enough workers.

I gave Queen 2 a piece of a walnut and also a nyjer seed.

[Kaelwizard]

[Kaelwizard]

The Formica queen may or may not be dead. She is curled up and keeps repeatedly pulsating or having weird spasms.

The tetras are doing well, as Queen 2 got a second worker and has a third and fourth coming.

Edited by Kaelwizard, July 26 2019 - 11:44 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

I am also getting a mini hearth for Queen 2.

Edited by Kaelwizard, July 26 2019 - 11:48 AM.

[Canadant]

I'm currently raising two tetramorium queens in testubes. I have them heated. I'm so excited for this colony.