145 replies to this topic

[madbiologist]

I'll be using this journal to document all of my colonies. The only queens I'll give more than a post to say I've caught them or they've died are semi-claustral queens.

Colonies: 35+ workers (usually)
Camponotus herculeanus
Camponotus subbarbatus
Aphaenogaster rudis
Tetramorium immigrans
Tapinoma sessile

Founding colonies: usually sub 35 workers
Camponotus chromaiodes x2
Camponotus novaeborascensis
Camponotus pennsylvanicus
Camponotus nearcticus
Crematogaster sp
Formica pallidefulva
Formica subanescens (boosted to workers, hasn't laid any of her own yet)
Lasius americanus
Myrmica sp (5 queens)

Founding queens:
Aphaenogaster sp
Formica subsearicea
Lasius brevicornis
Myrmecina americana
Solenopsis molesta


There are likely more queens/ maybe founding colonies I've forgotten about since they are in hibernation currently, but when I check in February I'll edit this post to add them. During that check I will also be taking my crematogaster and aphaenogaster out of hibernation. The only colonies I currently have out of hibernation are my Tetramorium immigrans, founding Myrmica, and Myrmecina americana queen. Tetramorium and Myrmica pics are below. Myrmica pics are subpar because they were huddled upside-down in their tube, sorry. The tetramorium brood pile is smaller than it should be because they had some issues last year.

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Edited by madbiologist, June 4 2021 - 8:24 PM.

[madbiologist]

Update on the myrmecina americana queen, no pictures because I don't want to disturb her too much, but I gave her a mealworm and she's laid at least one egg!! Sharing a few photos of my Camponotus nearcticus and a very physogastric Camponotus chromaiodes queen with some of her brood from before they went into hibernation as well.

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[RushmoreAnts]

She must have ate a lot. Is that honey I see in the queen's gaster?

[madbiologist]

She must have ate a lot. Is that honey I see in the queen's gaster?

Honey or eggs, I don't have photos from right before hibernation, but this colony was up to 15 workers and quite a lot of larvae when they went in.

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[RushmoreAnts]

Probably honey, as I wouldn't think her ovaries would be active before hibernation. 

Edited by AntsDakota, January 22 2020 - 12:30 PM.

[madbiologist]

Probably honey, as I wouldn't think her ovaries would be active before hibernation.

This was before then, probably in September or early October. Camponotus queens usually take larvae to overwinter.

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[RushmoreAnts]

Then it would depend on what she looked like right before hibernation.

[madbiologist]

Got another quick update on the m. americana queen. I normally wouldn't do an update so close after the last one, but it turns out she has much more brood than I thought, and some has progressed to larvae! I would love to get some workers out of her because I've never seen it done before, and because more ants. She was in a bad spot to take pictures of the larvae, so I had to zoom in and screenshot with them in the center so they are possible to see. It's still difficult, but at least it's a little easier now. The larvae is an the center of each picture, and is the small darker and lighter spot respectively.

Edit: Forgot to say that I'll be taking my crematogaster and aphaenogaster out of diapause in 6 days, so the next update will be then!

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Edited by madbiologist, January 24 2020 - 12:28 PM.

[CANant]

She must have ate a lot. Is that honey I see in the queen's gaster?

Honey or eggs, I don't have photos from right before hibernation, but this colony was up to 15 workers and quite a lot of larvae when they went in.
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When you feed your ants egg do you only feed the hard boiled white part or both? Just curious. I haven’t tried egg yet. I have one colony of C. Pennsylvanicus.

[madbiologist]

She must have ate a lot. Is that honey I see in the queen's gaster?

Honey or eggs, I don't have photos from right before hibernation, but this colony was up to 15 workers and quite a lot of larvae when they went in.
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When you feed your ants egg do you only feed the hard boiled white part or both? Just curious. I haven’t tried egg yet. I have one colony of C. Pennsylvanicus.

Oh, sorry I meant ant eggs, I only really give my ants superworms and honey. Every once in a while while I might give themfruit or nuts, but I never feed eggs.

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[CANant]

Hahahaha ohhh now that I re-read your original post again I can see I totally miss read it hahaha hilarious!
I was actually searching for Camponotus Pennsylvanicus and protein food ideas so I had food on the brain when I read it initially. I have read you can feed actual boiled eggs so I was curious. Haha sorry for the mess up.

Edited by CANant, January 30 2020 - 3:44 AM.

[madbiologist]

Just woke up the Aphaenogaster and Crematogaster colonies! Not much to say other than they are looking good post diapause, and I'm using am olive oil barrier for the first time. I've had troubles with talcum powder in the past so here's to hoping this works. Pics below, as always.

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[ANTdrew]

Those Cremas will grow fast if you keep them warm and well fed. I’m founding two new queens at the moment. I’m not sure if olive oil will cut it for Crematogaster, though.

[madbiologist]

Those Cremas will grow fast if you keep them warm and well fed. I’m founding two new queens at the moment. I’m not sure if olive oil will cut it for Crematogaster, though.

Worst comes to worst, I'll moat them up

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[madbiologist]

Emergency update, my aphaenogaster colony has begun attacking itself. They were wild caught last summer and I haven't had any issues until now. I'm very concerned, and any help would be appreciated greatly. I've never seen or heard of anything like this before. Videos linked here.
https://photos.app.g...69AXpErbRkexhXA
https://photos.app.g...8U78BuDPTJeRBV8

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[madbiologist]

Sad Aphaenogaster update, looks like the queen has died. I've got someone near me with 2 Aphaenogaster tenniseensis queens, so the rest of this colony won't be going to waste. We're going to split it roughly evenly.

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[RushmoreAnts]

A tragic ending, and a hopeful beginning.

[CANant]

So sorry to hear this. so strange they just turned on each other??? My question is if you introduce a new queen will they not kill her?

[ANTdrew]

Sorry, man. It may be my impression, but it seems like keepers on here just have trouble with Aphaenogaster sooner or later, especially wild gathered colonies.

[madbiologist]

So sorry to hear this. so strange they just turned on each other??? My question is if you introduce a new queen will they not kill her?

I'll be introducing a parasitic queen, so hopefully not. However, if I waited a few months, I could probably introduce a regular queen, assuming I had one. After a while, colonies missing queens will accept new ones.

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