12 replies to this topic

[Synedge]

(1) Possibly solenopsis species and (2) Possibly a Brachymyrmex obscurior

 

1. Location (on a map) of collection:  Alamoana beach park Honolulu, HI
2. Date of collection: 9/21/19
3. Habitat of collection: Tennis Court
4. Length (from head to gaster): (1) is about 7mm and (2) is about 5mm
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture:  (1) has an orange body and a dark gaster. (2) can't remember the color before i put it away.
6. Distinguishing characteristics: N/A
7. Distinguishing behavior: (1) Found running with the colony as you'll see in the video i posted. Did not look like any majors i've seen and on the off chance it was queens, i snagged about 8.
8. Nest description: 

9. Nuptial flight time and date: 9/21/19 at approximately 1800-2000

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=pXLOnEPCFrQ

couldn't really hold still that much and get good shots. Was getting bitten/stung while i was trying to record lol.

 

https://imgur.com/a/7QW5IdT

First four pictures are all different ants of the same species.

 

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Number 1 is Cardiocondyla I believe.

[Aaron567]

First one's Trichomyrmex destructor. I ruled out Monomorium pharaonis because your ants are shiny throughout (pharaonis are the opposite), and because the queens of yours much more accurately match the generally elongated shape and smaller head of destructor. They seem to be a prominent problem in the Hawaiian Islands.

 

The other queen is definitely Brachymyrmex, very likely B. obscurior.

[Manitobant]

I agree with the two species stated above. Both species are fully claustral and generally easy to care for, though trichomyrmex destructor is known for its ability to chew through lots of different materials. I would also put all the destructor queens together since they came from a mature nest and are highly polygynous.

[Synedge]

I agree with the two species stated above. Both species are fully claustral and generally easy to care for, though trichomyrmex destructor is known for its ability to chew through lots of different materials. I would also put all the destructor queens together since they came from a mature nest and are highly polygynous.

 

 

Thanks for all the replies! So far i have 7 destructor queens together and 1 in its own test tube. Do you know if they're able to chew through vinyl tubing?

[Antennal_Scrobe]

 

I agree with the two species stated above. Both species are fully claustral and generally easy to care for, though trichomyrmex destructor is known for its ability to chew through lots of different materials. I would also put all the destructor queens together since they came from a mature nest and are highly polygynous.

 

 

Thanks for all the replies! So far i have 7 destructor queens together and 1 in its own test tube. Do you know if they're able to chew through vinyl tubing?

 

Yes, they can chew through anything, but as long as you watch them closely, you will be fine. I think this may be my favorite tramp species, just because of the horror stories I've heard about it. 

[Synedge]

that's mildly terrifying lol. Going to have to adjust my setup to house these guys. Had a small solenopsis colony about a year ago but died from mite infestation. 

 

 

I still have the formicarium i kept them in but there's a mesh in there that concerns me now. Should i buy another type of formacarium? If so, what type should i get? I bought this one from antscanada.

 

https://imgur.com/a/ZyPFTLP

 

Thanks for all the info provided.

Edited by Synedge, September 23 2019 - 6:33 PM.

[ponerinecat]

should be okay but keep an eye out, likely will eventually chew through.

[Manitobant]

I would keep them in a tube for now and place the tube inside a larger plastic container. This way if they somehow chew through, there is a second barrier to stop them. Works well with my tapinoma melanocephalum, another destructive tramp species.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I would keep them in a tube for now and place the tube inside a larger plastic container. This way if they somehow chew through, there is a second barrier to stop them. Works well with my tapinoma melanocephalum, another destructive tramp species.

T. melanocephalum is destructive? Not to hijack the thread but this is news to me. I always thought they were just the same as T. sessile in their habits.

[Manitobant]

I would keep them in a tube for now and place the tube inside a larger plastic container. This way if they somehow chew through, there is a second barrier to stop them. Works well with my tapinoma melanocephalum, another destructive tramp species.

T. melanocephalum is destructive? Not to hijack the thread but this is news to me. I always thought they were just the same as T. sessile in their habits.

they are even better escape artists and I've seen them try to chew their way through a mini hearth.

[Synedge]

Should i feed the destroyer queens that i have? Fruit flies are out, no where i found sells them.

 

I know normally they would be able to sustain themselves if it was right after a nuptial flight. But i'm not too sure in this case, as i grabbed them running along with their colony.

 

Just took a peek today and saw some eggs.

[Manitobant]

Should i feed the destroyer queens that i have? Fruit flies are out, no where i found sells them.
 
I know normally they would be able to sustain themselves if it was right after a nuptial flight. But i'm not too sure in this case, as i grabbed them running along with their colony.
 
Just took a peek today and saw some eggs.

Just give them some honey or sugar water