Jump to content

  • Gallery
  • Members
  • Member Map
  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Formicarium for just a queen?

Started By Jimmydave937911 , May 30 2020 8:03 AM

  • Please log in to reply
35 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 30 2020 - 8:03 AM

Jimmydave937911

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 126 posts
  • LocationUK
Hi all,

Was just on the Ants Australia website and noticed this very small ‘founding’ formicarium. I have a test tube that’s get a bit dirty with just a queen and a few eggs, could I transfer her into one of these? It mentions you can have from 1 ant in there and from what I’ve seen from the Ants Australia website this guys seems to know his stuff. What are your thoughts on this guys?

Thanks as always

Attached Images

  • 4169DA50-7478-4C5E-85F3-33A665872E40.png

#2 Offline ConcordAntman - Posted May 30 2020 - 9:10 AM

ConcordAntman

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 767 posts
  • LocationMassachusetts

Not that different from this at Tar Heel Ants. 
https://tarheelants....products/discus

 

18BDACE8 F320 496E 9DA4 1063F64268F0

 


  • Jimmydave937911 likes this

#3 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 30 2020 - 9:34 AM

Jimmydave937911

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 126 posts
  • LocationUK
Are they ok to use for a single queen though?

#4 Offline TheMicroPlanet - Posted May 30 2020 - 9:35 AM

TheMicroPlanet

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 764 posts
  • LocationNew York, United States

I think that's what they're made for


My ants

https://www.formicul... themicroplanet

#5 Offline DDD101DDD - Posted May 30 2020 - 9:40 AM

DDD101DDD

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 684 posts
  • LocationNew York

The species of the queen matters too, for example you wouldn't put a single Solenopsis molesta queen in one of those. If you have something like Camponotus it would probably be a good fit.


He travels, he seeks the p a r m e s a n.

#6 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 30 2020 - 9:44 AM

Jimmydave937911

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 126 posts
  • LocationUK
Ooooooh this is exciting stuff! I’ll be making one tomorrow in that case!! ‍♂
DDD I have both Lasius Niger and Lasius Flavus but it’s the Niger that needs it really...

#7 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 30 2020 - 9:53 AM

Jimmydave937911

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 126 posts
  • LocationUK
You reckon Lasius Niger would be ok in there?

#8 Offline ANTdrew - Posted May 30 2020 - 10:33 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,946 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
It’s really hard to improve on the good ol’ fashioned test tube, though. It’s the default starter for a reason.
  • Ants_Dakota likes this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#9 Offline DDD101DDD - Posted May 30 2020 - 11:17 AM

DDD101DDD

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 684 posts
  • LocationNew York

In my opinion, you should transfer her to another test tube. However, I've never tried to keep a single Lasius queen in a formacarium, so I wouldn't take my advice too seriously.


  • Ants_Dakota likes this

He travels, he seeks the p a r m e s a n.

#10 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted May 30 2020 - 11:52 AM

Ants_Dakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,388 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

I feel like a test tube is also the best queen keeping formicarium. If you do keep it in one of those formicariums, you need to keep it wet and moist for the queen to feel comfortable. That is the pro for a test tube. It is really moist.


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My Nationwide Ant Shop Here I have PPQ-526 permits to ship ants nationwide

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

My Formica sp. Journal

My Lasius sp. Journal

My Micro Ants Journal

My Pogonomyrmex occidentalis Journal

#11 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 30 2020 - 12:26 PM

Jimmydave937911

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 126 posts
  • LocationUK
I’ll draw up a few designs tomorrow and see if I can get something that I think will suit the queen.

#12 Offline Amazant - Posted May 30 2020 - 2:23 PM

Amazant

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 175 posts
  • LocationKansas
If you want to keep a single queen in a nest like that I would also keep the test tube connected to it so the queen can choose which one she likes best, and I would also leave it connected even if she likes the formicarium if for some reason you forget to water the formicarium.
  • Ants_Dakota likes this
Colonies: Formica pallidefulva, Lasius neoniger, Camponotus decipiens, Camponotus sp, Camponotus Vicinus, Crematogaster Sp

#13 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted May 30 2020 - 3:53 PM

Ants_Dakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,388 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

I have tried to put ants into a formicarium too soon, and they do terrible. And these colonies even had workers. if you really want to do it, just make it really small, so that the ants feel at home.


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My Nationwide Ant Shop Here I have PPQ-526 permits to ship ants nationwide

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

My Formica sp. Journal

My Lasius sp. Journal

My Micro Ants Journal

My Pogonomyrmex occidentalis Journal

#14 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 31 2020 - 1:13 AM

Jimmydave937911

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 126 posts
  • LocationUK
Was just thinking about something like this...
Might actually just make the entire back wall for water, thus reducing the size of the formicarium. She doesn’t need much space?

Attached Images

  • 8C72908F-69A6-4744-AD69-DECAB02E0AF3.jpeg

#15 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 31 2020 - 3:21 AM

Jimmydave937911

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 126 posts
  • LocationUK
Slight design change but taking shape...

Attached Images

  • 5BADC528-F1CD-4C28-8A8D-354AB49A7A94.jpeg

  • Ants_Dakota and Antkid12 like this

#16 Offline Antkid12 - Posted May 31 2020 - 3:25 AM

Antkid12

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,009 posts
  • LocationFairfax, Virginia

Looks nice so far!


Edited by Antkid12, May 31 2020 - 3:25 AM.

Ants I have: Tapinoma sessile(2 queen colony). RED MORPH Camponotus neacticus(now has pupae!), Tetramorium immigrans (x3), Aphaenogaster sp, Temnothorax sp, Brachymyrmex sp.   possibly infertile   :(,  Ponera pennsylvanica, and Pheidole morrisi!  :yahoo: 

 

Other insects: Polistes sp. Queen

                    

Ants I need: Pheidole sp., Trachymyrmex sp., Crematogaster cerasi , Dorymyrmex sp. Most wanted: Pheidole morrisii

 

                    

                   

 

 

#17 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 31 2020 - 5:29 AM

Jimmydave937911

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 126 posts
  • LocationUK
Paint work compete, gone for a browny/earthy type look. Obviously got a mini volcano too lol 😂

Attached Images

  • 1EE934D0-13AC-48ED-8FC6-76E5F9680D6B.jpeg

#18 Offline ANTdrew - Posted May 31 2020 - 5:42 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,946 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
Clever! You could sell that for exorbitant prices. If you put a bit of substrate in there, queens would love it.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#19 Offline Jimmydave937911 - Posted May 31 2020 - 5:53 AM

Jimmydave937911

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 126 posts
  • LocationUK
Drew, I’ll be honest with you, I really enjoy making them and wondered if there would be a market for this kind of thing in the UK? Don’t get me wrong they are all made by hand and not 100% perfect but they actually look ok?
I’ve got some kids sand we bought today so will stick a layer of that on the bottom and see how it goes? Got to pop out now but just going to cut and seal the lid then pretty much good to go.
  • ANTdrew likes this

#20 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted May 31 2020 - 6:00 AM

Ants_Dakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,388 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

What are the dimensions? I am still worried it is to big for a queen.


Edited by Ants_Dakota, May 31 2020 - 6:00 AM.

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My Nationwide Ant Shop Here I have PPQ-526 permits to ship ants nationwide

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

My Formica sp. Journal

My Lasius sp. Journal

My Micro Ants Journal

My Pogonomyrmex occidentalis Journal

Back to General Ant Keeping · Next Unread Topic →


1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users