14 replies to this topic

[Manitobant]

Today I went out anting at the world famous narcisse snake dens with a freind and caught a massive 200 worker formica obscuriventris colony with 2 queens under a stone. They are currently moving into a tar heel ants nucleus and I have very high hopes for them. This is one of my dream species and I am so excited to finally raise them! It also happens to be my birthday today so I guess I can say mother nature got me a gift

Edited by Manitobant, August 16 2019 - 9:01 AM.

[ANTdrew]

This is a beautiful species for sure.

[Manitobant]

This is a beautiful species for sure.

definitely. They are also super aggressive and spray acid like crazy!

[Manitobant]

The colony had a bit of a die off which I'm assuming was caused by stress. Luckily, I was able to brood boost them with about 100 pupae my freind got from the trip, so they should be back to their old numbers in no time.

Edited by Manitobant, July 30 2019 - 11:43 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

It was not stress, but the acid they spray. Be careful when collecting Formica colonies, as their acid sprays can kill them. Make sure their nest is well ventilated.

[Manitobant]

It was not stress, but the acid they spray. Be careful when collecting Formica colonies, as their acid sprays can kill them. Make sure their nest is well ventilated.

is there a way to do that while still using the nucleus formicarium? I don't have anything else that fits them

[Manitobant]

They've accepted the 100 pupae and about 10 formica subsericea pupae which I use to boost solo parasitic queens and have stored it in the middle nucleus tube.

Edited by Manitobant, July 30 2019 - 3:57 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

If it came with a nest mate, take the stopped off. That should do it for a little bit.

[Manitobant]

If it came with a nest mate, take the stopped off. That should do it for a little bit.

I don’t have a nestmate. Is it possible to cut off some mesh and tape it to the formicarium? Although they have strong jaws and I don’t want them chewing through it

[TennesseeAnts]

Yes, but be careful not to damage the nest in the process.

[Manitobant]

I took Ant_dude2908's advice and replaced the cotton on the nest holes with mesh so the nest stays ventilated. I'm praying that these girls don't somehow find a way to chew through it but its unlikely.

[Manitobant]

The colony has stacked all of their brood onto one side of the nucleus which is in the dark against a wall. They have also been loving the ant jelly I’m giving them.

[Manitobant]

Sadly the whole colony died as I was in the hospital for a week as I needed a surgery. Before that I was on a camping trip so I guess they just went too long without food, even though I gave them lots before I left.

[Canadant]

Well the ants passed away but are you okay? Surgery? My fellow Canadian, how many years did you wait for that? Lol.

PS. I'd give a leg to see those snake dens!

[Manitobant]

Well the ants passed away but are you okay? Surgery? My fellow Canadian, how many years did you wait for that? Lol.
PS. I'd give a leg to see those snake dens!

I'm completely fine now, and i didn't have to wait very long at all as i had to be treated quickly. Basically what happened is a got what's called a stomach ulcer which is when your stomach acid causes internal bleeding.