110 replies to this topic

[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.

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

Oh, for sure! Nothing (anting-wise) beats it! Digging thru the bivouac and seeing the plump gyne fall out, priceless! 

[TennesseeAnts]

The first colony of the season has been located! I found a Neivamyrmex carolinensis bivouac inside a small stick that was stuck in the ground. There wasn't a queen present that I could find, so I took some worker samples and left them alone. 

 

[TennesseeAnts]

Update: 4/28/22

 

Today I've been working on collecting a large N. opacithorax colony from under a piece of bark in my backyard. So far I've collected the queen, a few thousand workers and what little food stores they had. I've been dumping the workers into a THA Fortress as I separate them from a 5-gallon tub filled with dirt and ants. I didn't realize until now how much smaller this species is than Neivamyrmex nigrescens. The queen is only about 10mm long, minors being around 1.5mm with majors maxed out at roughly 5mm. Earlier this afternoon I also rounded up a few hundred Tapinoma sessile alate brood for them to snack on, which they took readily. I will update with pictures once I get everything set up and the remaining workers separated from the soil in the tub. 

[NicholasP]

Update: 4/28/22

 

Today I've been working on collecting a large N. opacithorax colony from under a piece of bark in my backyard. So far I've collected the queen, a few thousand workers and what little food stores they had. I've been dumping the workers into a THA Fortress as I separate them from a 5-gallon tub filled with dirt and ants. I didn't realize until now how much smaller this species is than Neivamyrmex nigrescens. The queen is only about 10mm long, minors being around 1.5mm with majors maxed out at roughly 5mm. Earlier this afternoon I also rounded up a few hundred Tapinoma sessile alate brood for them to snack on, which they took readily. I will update with pictures once I get everything set up and the remaining workers separated from the soil in the tub. 

I'm glad to see the search for the Neivamyrmex has not been called quits and that you're still working hard at finding them! I admire your determination and congratulations on finding another colony!

Edited by NicholasP, April 28 2022 - 3:38 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Update: 4/28/22

Today I've been working on collecting a large N. opacithorax colony from under a piece of bark in my backyard. So far I've collected the queen, a few thousand workers and what little food stores they had. I've been dumping the workers into a THA Fortress as I separate them from a 5-gallon tub filled with dirt and ants. I didn't realize until now how much smaller this species is than Neivamyrmex nigrescens. The queen is only about 10mm long, minors being around 1.5mm with majors maxed out at roughly 5mm. Earlier this afternoon I also rounded up a few hundred Tapinoma sessile alate brood for them to snack on, which they took readily. I will update with pictures once I get everything set up and the remaining workers separated from the soil in the tub.

I'm glad to see the search for the Neivamyrmex has not been called quits and that you're still working hard at finding them! I admire your determination and congratulations on finding another colony!

Thank you! I'll be noting everything that happens with this colony here.

[NicholasP]

I'd also say to be careful with the Neivamyrmex queens not being mated because when I found a Neivamyrmex colony in the wild for a friend who loves Neivamyrmex and has kept Neivamyrmex said the queen ended up not being fully mated with multiple males and he had to realease after a while of keeping.

Edited by NicholasP, April 29 2022 - 6:19 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

I'd also say to be careful with the Neivamyrmex queens not being mated because when I found a Neivamyrmex colony in the wild for a friend who loves Neivamyrmex and has kept Neivamyrmex said the queen ended up not being fully mated with multiple males and he had to realease after a while of keeping.

This time of year all queens should have mated. Their mating season lasts from July to late August around here.

[NicholasP]

Any luck with the Neivamyrmex?

Edited by NicholasP, July 14 2022 - 12:16 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Colony grew to roughly 7k workers, lived for 4 months or so before they chewed through the hydration system in their nest without me knowing. The colony dehydrated themselves within 48hrs of the last watering...

[Manitobant]

That sucks. Do you think you’ll try again?

[TennesseeAnts]

That sucks. Do you think you’ll try again?

I don't think I will, at least this year. Maybe in a few years.

Edited by TennesseeAnts, January 22 2023 - 5:05 PM.