110 replies to this topic

[TennesseeAnts]

 

 

Antdude update?

Sure thing!

 

Update: 6/18/20

 

After the queen laid the last batch of eggs, the pupae started darkening. On 6/13/20 the first captive workers eclosed in great numbers. The colony has nearly doubled in size now, taking lots of roaches, termites, ant brood and crickets all the time. They are definitely doing well so far. I will need to increase their food intake within the next couple weeks, though, as the new eggs will be hatching soon. This batch seems to be a tad smaller than the last, but its still pretty huge. Will update with pics later today.

 

So once the colony gets larger, do you still have to feed them large batches of ant brood or do they take other insects more?

 

They eat any and everything living, but have a food-brood tooth as well. 

[ponerinecat]

 

 

 

Antdude update?

Sure thing!

 

Update: 6/18/20

 

After the queen laid the last batch of eggs, the pupae started darkening. On 6/13/20 the first captive workers eclosed in great numbers. The colony has nearly doubled in size now, taking lots of roaches, termites, ant brood and crickets all the time. They are definitely doing well so far. I will need to increase their food intake within the next couple weeks, though, as the new eggs will be hatching soon. This batch seems to be a tad smaller than the last, but its still pretty huge. Will update with pics later today.

 

So once the colony gets larger, do you still have to feed them large batches of ant brood or do they take other insects more?

 

They eat any and everything living, but have a food-brood tooth as well. 

 

Neivamyrmex are brood predators to my knowledge, similar to how Stigmatomma prefer and almost require geophilid centipedes. They can survive without their preferred food but will take a huge hit in terms of growth rate and general survivability.

[TennesseeAnts]

Antdude update?

Sure thing!

Update: 6/18/20

After the queen laid the last batch of eggs, the pupae started darkening. On 6/13/20 the first captive workers eclosed in great numbers. The colony has nearly doubled in size now, taking lots of roaches, termites, ant brood and crickets all the time. They are definitely doing well so far. I will need to increase their food intake within the next couple weeks, though, as the new eggs will be hatching soon. This batch seems to be a tad smaller than the last, but its still pretty huge. Will update with pics later today.

So once the colony gets larger, do you still have to feed them large batches of ant brood or do they take other insects more?

They eat any and everything living, but have a food-brood tooth as well.

Neivamyrmex are brood predators to my knowledge, similar to how Stigmatomma prefer and almost require geophilid centipedes. They can survive without their preferred food but will take a huge hit in terms of growth rate and general survivability.

And this is why it is essential to have a constant supply of ant brood. In my area they prefer Aphaenogaster brood in the wild.

[TennesseeAnts]

Update: 7/15/20

 

I released this colony after the first new workers eclosed. I acomplished what I hoped for, and learned a lot along the way. I will re-activate this journal in 2022, when the N. nigrescens population has grown some, and I will try to capture a newly budded queen. 

[antsandmore]

wait wait wait wait. So this Neviamyrmex is the army ants right?

[TennesseeAnts]

wait wait wait wait. So this Neviamyrmex is the army ants right?

Yessir. One of the most difficult genera to keep, too.

[antsandmore]

i know right? man i'm jealous, but happy for you at the same time

[TennesseeAnts]

i know right? man i'm jealous, but happy for you at the same time

Thanks!

[Kaelwizard]

 

i know right? man i'm jealous, but happy for you at the same time

Thanks!

 

I'm the latter but not the former. I'd never keep army ants.

Edited by Kaelwizard, January 5 2021 - 10:10 AM.

[antsandmore]

yeah, they are both super(?) hard to keep and super expensive

[TennesseeAnts]

yeah, they are both super(?) hard to keep and super expensive

Yep, pretty much.

[TennesseeAnts]

I found this clip in the depth of my "ant folder", so I've made a short video with it:

 

[TennesseeAnts]

Granted, not the greatest of quality, but its fine, ig.

[TennesseeAnts]

Y'all know what time it is?

[Antkeeper01]

yes!!!!! (at least I think I know)

Edited by Antkeeper01, January 8 2022 - 7:31 AM.

[NicholasP]

What time is it?

[ANTdrew]

Yeah, what time is it, AntDude?

[Leptomyrmx]

It's 10:33 here in Australia.

Oh, just hit 10:34.

[TennesseeAnts]

It's time for some more Neivamyrmex! Starting on Valentine's Day I'll be on the lookout for a colony. I've waited the two years I promised, and I've seen tons of activity from wild colonies over those two years.

[NicholasP]

It's time for some more Neivamyrmex! Starting on Valentine's Day I'll be on the lookout for a colony. I've waited the two years I promised, and I've seen tons of activity from wild colonies over those two years.

I wish you good luck! I can say from experience that finding Neivamyrmex is very exciting especially when there's a queen in there.