387 replies to this topic

[Antkid12]

Nice! 

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis:

Lots of brood in all stages, 3 nanitics, one brood boost worker. I just gave them some dandelion seeds I had stored.

 

Camponotus nearcticus:

One queen now has larvae, the other one is probably infertile.

 

Prenolepis imparis:

The single queen should be getting workers any day now.

 

Tetramorium immigrans:

Nothing to report concerning the big colony. The queens have well developed larvae now.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Prenolepis imparis (Single Queen):

This queen now has her first worker. I plan on selling this colony.

 

I have a lot of ants and queens right now; I don't plan on catching any more this summer unless I find something really special.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Sorry for the long hiatus. I didn't get coronavirus or anything like that: I went on a (socially distant) vacation up north a few weeks ago, during which I lost the habit of posting on Formiculture. I have a bunch of queens and colonies I have to get rid of; if you're in southeastern WI and you want a colony, just message me. I'm not interested in running a business so much as getting rid of my extra colonies and maybe making a quick buck. 

 

Anyway, here's the journal update:

 

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis:

I'm happy to report that this colony is thriving. There are at least 11 workers and a generous pile of pupae. While they are harvester ants, I find that they do like insects quite a bit, and the protein seems to help them grow.

 

Aphaenogaster cf. rudis:

Queen 1 has a pile of pupae and mature larvae, but no workers yet. Queen 2 has a couple of big larvae.

 

Tetramorium immigrans:

Two of the queens now have workers, and the terrarium colony is fine.

 

Formica pallidefulva:

Two of the queens have workers, and the big colony is still doing well.

 

Formica subsericea:

One queen has workers, the other died.

 

Myrmica punctiventris:

Doing well, as usual.

 

Camponotus nearcticus:

Both queens are now dead. One had actually gotten a pupa, but she died anyway for no reason, because nearcticus.

 

Crematogaster cerasi:

Both colonies are healthy, but I think I should be feeding them more. I think they could use better setups as well.

 

Prenolepis imparis:

This colony has certainly grown, but I'm too lazy to count them right now.

[harlan]

can you tell me what size tubing you used for your petri dishes and link me the corkborer please.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

can you tell me what size tubing you used for your petri dishes and link me the corkborer please.

I'm using 1cm outer diameter tubing, the small tubing sold by AntsCanada. The link to the cork borers is right below. The biggest one is 1cm, the right size for the tubing. For some reason, you can't really buy these things individually.

 

https://www.homescie...orers-set-of-6/

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Aphaenogaster cf. rudis:

One queen has two workers and various stages of brood, the other has only brood so far.

 

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis:

They seem to grow very quickly once they get going; there are now 17 of the queen's own workers, and plenty of pupae. Interestingly enough, Pogonomyrmex exoskeletons seem to take a long time to fully harden; new workers look pale for several days.

 

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis:

16-18 workers. The colony has three pupae which are much bigger than normal. I think these are probably the first full-sized workers. In case anyone was wondering, they have been living off dandelion and columbine seeds from my yard, as well as frozen feeder crickets, which they like a lot. I'm not sure when they need to hibernate, but I know it's not anytime soon, because I just saw a big clump of eggs in the nest today. When they are ready, should I put them in the fridge, or simply turn the heat cable off?