2 replies to this topic

[Manitobant]

I myself am an aspiring myrmecologist who is currently researching slave makers. I've been wanting to start a scientific experiment with polyergus on what formica species I can provide to a colony, not to mention keep them for scientific observations. In order to do this, I've decided to try excavating a colony of these as they have a large population where I live although the lone queens are rare, not to mention, hard to found in captivity. I have tried one dig so far with no sucess in locating the queen (don't worry, the colony was fine and rebuilt their nest) but for the next time I want to come prepared, and I have been reading about how professional myrmecologists sometimes dig mature ant colonies for census work and laboratory studies, and because of this, I was curious about how they do it safely without harming the queen and capturing most of the ants, and also what techniques and equipment they use.

Edited by Manitobant, August 29 2019 - 4:27 PM.

[AntLad]

I cannot answer this as I personally wouldn't dare even attempt but here is a documentary that shows a team excavating a massive leaf cutter colony. Skip to 11:48 if you want to get straight to the section of the documentary where they are heading to dig, but I'd recommend the whole documentary as it is truly a masterpiece.  https://www.youtube....h?v=8n0SkIGARuo

[AnthonyP163]

This video is an interesting one.