387 replies to this topic

[RushmoreAnts]

My Pogonomyrmex have lots of new workers.........

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I believe the Lasius have pupae now. The Camponotus currently have 3 workers. The Pogonomyrmex worker that eclosed yesterday had a piece of its pupa tangled on its legs, but it is now completely freed.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I just gave my Pogonomyrmex a bunch of dandelion seeds, and they like them a lot already.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

The Camponotus and Formica colonies both have four workers now, and the Formica especially have several more on the way. Three of my Crematogaster queens have large brood piles including pupae, as do my Lasius queens. I'm currently moving the Myrmica colony to my empty mini hearth.

Update: the Myrmica colony is moving brood into the new nest.

Edited by Antennal_Scrobe, June 2 2020 - 11:56 AM.

[Canadant]

I just gave my Pogonomyrmex a bunch of dandelion seeds, and they like them a lot already.

Would love a colony of these guys. They're not in my area though. Yum dandelions!

Edited by Canadant, June 2 2020 - 11:57 AM.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I checked the Formica colony and suddenly there are 8 workers. Not sure how that happened within a few hours. I expect the first Crematogaster workers within the next few days; three of the four queens are doing really well, with lots of pupae.

[Pumpkin_Loves_Ants]

I expect the first Crematogaster workers within the next few days

Coincidentally, the Crematogaster queen you gave me should have her first workers in a couple of days as well. Were they caught around the same time?

[Antennal_Scrobe]

 

I expect the first Crematogaster workers within the next few days

Coincidentally, the Crematogaster queen you gave me should have her first workers in a couple of days as well. Were they caught around the same time?

 

Yes, they were all caught on the same day, except for one, which was caught a few days earlier.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

First two Crematogaster workers today! A single queen (let's call her "Queen 1") gained two workers overnight, and has two more ready to eclose very soon. Queen 2 has two pupae which are very close to hatching, and Queen 3 will likely have workers within a week or two. Queen 4 still only has eggs and seems to be infertile. I moved Crematogaster Colony 1 closer to the heat cable in hopes that they will stop crowding around the cotton ball (Crematogaster love heat), allowing me to feed them.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

To any beginners reading this: you want a Formica pallidefulva colony. Very easy and enjoyable to keep, multi-queen colonies, fast growth, large workers, etc. An all around great but somewhat overlooked ant species which has been one of the most fun colonies I've kept so far.

[TennesseeAnts]

To any beginners reading this: you want a Formica pallidefulva colony. Very easy and enjoyable to keep, multi-queen colonies, fast growth, large workers, etc. An all around great but somewhat overlooked ant species which has been one of the most fun colonies I've kept so far.

I concur.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I'm going to order some supplies and make formicaria based on this tutorial: https://www.youtube....h?v=iceahERV8DU. 

[ANTdrew]

I would love to find F. pallidifulva! Any tips on finding them?
Congrats on your Crematogaster. They’re the best.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I caught my two queens on July 21 of last year. You live in a much hotter climate than I do, so it might be early July for you. I think Formica in general usually fly around noon on sunny days, and not in the early morning like Tetramorium. Be vigilant, and if you have them in your area, you will find some.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

My Prenolepis imparis queen is doing fine; she appears to have pretty decent sized larvae by now, which is a good sign for her being viable.

[RushmoreAnts]

I caught my two queens on July 21 of last year. You live in a much hotter climate than I do, so it might be early July for you. I think Formica in general usually fly around noon on sunny days, and not in the early morning like Tetramorium. Be vigilant, and if you have them in your area, you will find some.

I’d love to find some of these as well. I’m usually outside between 1-5; would this be a good time to find them?

[Antennal_Scrobe]

 

I caught my two queens on July 21 of last year. You live in a much hotter climate than I do, so it might be early July for you. I think Formica in general usually fly around noon on sunny days, and not in the early morning like Tetramorium. Be vigilant, and if you have them in your area, you will find some.

I’d love to find some of these as well. I’m usually outside between 1-5; would this be a good time to find them?

 

Yeah, that should work. I don't know that this species in particular is as common in South Dakota as it is in Wisconsin, though.

[RushmoreAnts]

I caught my two queens on July 21 of last year. You live in a much hotter climate than I do, so it might be early July for you. I think Formica in general usually fly around noon on sunny days, and not in the early morning like Tetramorium. Be vigilant, and if you have them in your area, you will find some.

I’d love to find some of these as well. I’m usually outside between 1-5; would this be a good time to find them?

Yeah, that should work. I don't know that this species in particular is as common in South Dakota as it is in Wisconsin, though.

It’s not super common, as I’ve never seen a colony before, but Thunder_Birds caught a queen once. They are well documented as well, so I’m hopeful.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Crematogaster colony 1 now has four workers, and colony 2 has a single worker. The Formica colony is up to nine ants now, not counting the two queens. They still have a few pupae to go.

[ANTdrew]

Congrats! Get your Cremas an outworld with a nectar feeder ASAP. Feed them protein everyday. That’s the key to success because they can’t go long between feedings.