367 replies to this topic

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

9-29-19

Fed them 2 mealworms (cut in half) and they went crazy for it! 5 workers went out of the test tube and a sixth one went over to my liquid feeder (currently filled with water since they have a honey water tube they are living in). They have a large amount of brood (looks to have over 10 larvae of varying sizes. Majors soon?) and are all crowding the queen. It looks like they may be getting ready for hibernation based on what I read, but the amount of activity during feeding time, and all the movement from them trying to kill the mealworm half that was still semi alive is confusing me. Has anyone experienced this before?   

Edited by Da_NewAntOnTheBlock, April 11 2020 - 8:31 AM.

[DDD101DDD]

How big is your colony?

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

They are 2 years old and have 25 workers

[DDD101DDD]

Cool! Mine have stopped taking protein, but don't forage much anymore, just occasionally come out for honey. Probably because mine is still small too.

Edited by DDD101DDD, September 29 2019 - 7:37 AM.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Yeah! They tried dragging the head of a meal worm to the entrance but when it started moving they just attacked it and then put it back with the other 3 halves. Now there is one standing on it checking it out  ( eating some possibly) while on two other halves these two workers are standing on it doing some trophollaxis.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Not really an update as much as it is funny, but there is currently a worker on top of the water tower standing on her rear legs like she is the king of the world. Doesn't want to drink the water though

Edited by Da_NewAntOnTheBlock, September 29 2019 - 3:52 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Is their test tube filled with honey water? If so, that’s going to get really funky fast.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Is their test tube filled with honey water? If so, that’s going to get really funky fast.

yeah, but they are all covering the cotton, so any mold couldn't really get started there and I'm keeping a close eye on it just in case

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Also, do C. Pennsylvanicus like more ; .75-1 inch crickets or Drosophila hydei flightless fruit flies? 

[ANTdrew]

I think they would like both equally. A fruit fly culture would be easier to keep going, and you could start up new cultures easily.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I think they would like both equally. A fruit fly culture would be easier to keep going, and you could start up new cultures easily.

Thanks, because i am considering getting a culture from https://www.rainbowmealworms.net/

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

That's a good feeder insect website right?

[Antennal_Scrobe]

I'd say the fruit flies, ants can really destroy those, leaving no waste for you.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

NICE! I'm going to pull a Menard's and start talking about Christmas before Halloween

[ANTdrew]

Dubia roaches are really good too.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I think the people I live with would kill me if i got roaches. They are pretty reluctant to consider flightless fruit flies lol   

[ANTdrew]

Understandable. I put ‘em direct in the freezer and thaw them as needed.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Here is a pic of the colony https://www.flickr.c.../184769368@N06/

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

First worker died today. Was a Nanitic. Was there for most of the 2 years May she rest with the angle ants

[ANTdrew]

Memory eternal!