20 replies to this topic

[AntHUB]

This is my C. longii queen 

 

She was collected under a piece of shale right next to a larvae of the eastern stag beetle, Lucanus elaphus. She used to have eggs but cannibalized. Ideas on what I can do? She is above a heat pad, in a dark, foam insulated box inside a sock cover. what could I do to prevent her from cannibalizing again?

[TennesseeAnts]

Wow! Great catch! She's beautiful!

[TheMicroPlanet]

Impressive!

[AntHUB]

 

More photos

 

[AntHUB]

 

this is her nest (next to the leaf I believe)

 

I caught her on october 14 zilker botanical garden

[Manitobant]

From what I've seen with the asian species, carebara do much better with soil in their test tube, allowing them to burrow, or in a small container with soil.

[AntHUB]

I did more photography recently. And added soil to her setup. She is in the dark on a heating pad now

[cocdeshijie]

wow, these photos are awesome

[FSTP]

these are some of the best photos on the forums.

[Martialis]

I wonder if the altitude difference between Parker, Colorado and Austin, Texas may have had something to do with the egg cannibalization.

[ForestDragon]

those are amazing photos my guy i praise you

[AntHUB]

I wonder if the altitude difference between Parker, Colorado and Austin, Texas may have had something to do with the egg cannibalization.

Maybe. But part of it was likely due to her old setup drying up. I also am installing an insect shelf and had to relocate my insects, so the vibrations from that may have played a role. 

 

But I think that regardless of the altitude the air pressure within the tube will be fluctuating due to evaporation.

 

Plus my other ants like Dorymyrmex flavus and Solenopsis are doing fine.

[AntHUB]

those are amazing photos my guy i praise you

 

these are some of the best photos on the forums.

 

wow, these photos are awesome

Thanks! If you're interested in my setup for these photos here it is:

Canon Eos 70D

50-250mm zoom lense 

12mm + 20mm + 36mm extension tubes

Neewer 360 speedlight flash and remotes

The reflections were from a chromebook. The white background was a matte board.

 

 

That is the setup I used to photograph my ants (subject is different in that photo)

 

[Pumpkin_Loves_Ants]

As many others have said, these photos are absolutely stunning!

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

yeah, I'm hoping I can capture photos good enough to help ID my queen, while he's out here taking stunning photos lol

[AntHUB]

yeah, I'm hoping I can capture photos good enough to help ID my queen, while he's out here taking stunning photos lol

 

I started on a cell phone like almost everyone else. Then I raised enough to buy a camera. I really think it was worth the investment. But I think learning on a lower resolution camera is the way to start. (cell phone photo)

Once you get better you can get good shots and then think about switching.

[AntHUB]

 

This is another photo I had That I wanted to share

[AntHUB]

Currently she has layed 2 eggs (no pics sorry, it was a quick glance so to minimalize disturbance)

 

Here are two images from before I downloaded and processed as .raw files

much better quality

 

 

[AntHUB]

JKP101419-CBI-ASTCTXUS-Q-A-H-1 Carebara longii 10/14/19 Zilker Metropolitan Botanical Gardens, Austin TX, Travis County, TX, USA queen adult Red abdomen Forested area Under Rock Clear Hand collected Live (for observations) Found next to larvae of Lucanus cf. elaphus stag beetle 1 Josiah Kilburn Lat: 30.267 Long: -97.778 Personal LANTOB

 

Here's all the collection info for the queen (she is still alive don't worry)

 

Info also on Inaturalist (look at austin for carebara longii)

[AntHUB]

Update (no photos sorry didn't want to use to much light) I didn't see any brood yesterday

 

The Soil keeps drying out. I think I'm going to try a blended leaf litter soil mixture. Its what I found her in I believe. Should keep moisture better.