30 replies to this topic

[Ender Ants]

June 3, 2020: First nuptial flight of the season!

Follow me on Instagram for more active updates on all my colonies: 

https://www.instagram.com/ender_ants/

 

After almost 2 months of black-lighting, I finally attracted some queen ants! 2 being Brachymyrmex alates, and 1being what I think is Solenopsis molesta. I don't think this queen has mated, but I will be saving her until I find drones. They're really small, about 4mm in length. 

 

 

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June 9, 2020: The first dealate

 

As I was setting up my black-light again, one flew right on the table I set it on. I didn't have any test tubes, so I carried her to my house as she took off her wings! I hope this queen does well, as I caught some last year, but none went past the egg stage. 

 

 

 

 

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After a couple minutes, I found 2 more alates. I don't think these ones have mated yet, so I'll also save them if I find any drones.

 

 

 

Edited by Ender Ants, September 30 2020 - 6:25 AM.

[RushmoreAnts]

Here these literally fly by the millions. However, I think I like your color variation the best (although we do have some black and red ones, which come pretty close).

[Ender Ants]

Here these literally fly by the millions. However, I think I like your color variation the best (although we do have some black and red ones, which come pretty close).

Thanks! I was a bit confused as to what species this could've been, but after looking online I found out there were different variants. 

[Ender Ants]

June 10, 2020: 2 more queens 

Forgot to mention I caught two more with my black-light a day after catching the first one.

 

 

 

June 28, 2020: First batches of eggs

 

Dealate in Natural Setup:

I moved the first dealate I caught into a natural setup with sand. She already has larvae, making her the first out of 5 to make it to that stage. I made a video making these setups, and moving her in it on my most recent video on my YouTube channel. 

 

 

 

 

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Dealate in Test Tube: 

The other dealate in a test tube setup has larvae too. Let's see which one does the best. 

 

 

 

 

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Alates: 

Luckily 3 of the winged queens also laid their first batch of eggs. I didn't think they were mated yet, but we'll have to see if they turn into workers or drones. The last alate though, hasn't laid any eggs yet so I think she's the only infertile one for now.

 

 

 

Edited by Ender Ants, June 28 2020 - 4:21 PM.

[CatsnAnts]

You should make a multi-queen setup of these if you find any more, they seem to be doing well!

[Ender Ants]

You should make a multi-queen setup of these if you find any more, they seem to be doing well!

Thank you, I will definitely try it out once I catch some more!

[Antezz]

cool  

[RushmoreAnts]

 

You should make a multi-queen setup of these if you find any more, they seem to be doing well!

Thank you, I will definitely try it out once I catch some more!

 

Don't you live in California? If so, the western variety is monogynous. The eastern variety is polygynous. 

[M_Ants]

 

 

You should make a multi-queen setup of these if you find any more, they seem to be doing well!

Thank you, I will definitely try it out once I catch some more!

 

Don't you live in California? If so, the western variety is monogynous. The eastern variety is polygynous. 

 

Uh. I put like ten together. 

[RushmoreAnts]

You should make a multi-queen setup of these if you find any more, they seem to be doing well!

Thank you, I will definitely try it out once I catch some more!

Don't you live in California? If so, the western variety is monogynous. The eastern variety is polygynous.

Uh. I put like ten together. 

They are pleometrophic, though. They’ll kill each other once workers arrive.

[M_Ants]

Oh well.

[NickAnter]

Here, I find the color variety that you have flies earlier, and the color variety I have, which is very dark, flies through all of summer. I am sure they are different species, as the darker ones are also over a mm longer. If you live in Cali, you may still be able to find some of the different variety.

Edited by NickAnter, July 8 2020 - 7:11 AM.

[Ender Ants]

July 11, 2020: Sand Test Tubes

(Alates in Test Tubes)

 

Two of my test tube setups ran out of water, so I had to move these queens into new ones. Someone told me to give them some substrate on Instagram, so I'm trying that out with these two. 

 

 

 

 

July 14, 2020: First Nanitics

(Dealate in Natural Setup)

 

You can't really see the workers in this photo, but I counted at least two of them in this little chamber. No signs of digging to the top yet though. There are also two more pupae that look like they'll soon become workers. 

 

 

 

Current Colonies: 

x1 in Natural Setup

x2 in Substrate Test Tubes

x1 in Regular Test Tube 

Edited by Ender Ants, July 14 2020 - 4:50 PM.

[Somethinghmm]

 

 

You should make a multi-queen setup of these if you find any more, they seem to be doing well!

Thank you, I will definitely try it out once I catch some more!

 

Don't you live in California? If so, the western variety is monogynous. The eastern variety is polygynous. 

 

I've kept polygynous S. molesta in California before. I heard from someone much more experienced than us that if they're monogynous, they're probably not S. molesta.

[RushmoreAnts]

You should make a multi-queen setup of these if you find any more, they seem to be doing well!

Thank you, I will definitely try it out once I catch some more!

Don't you live in California? If so, the western variety is monogynous. The eastern variety is polygynous.

I've kept polygynous S. molesta in California before. I heard from someone much more experienced than us that if they're monogynous, they're probably not S. molesta.

However, I have heard that multiple species are currently classified as molesta, as taxonomists are still working on further classifying it.

[NickAnter]

This is what gcsnelling said, when referring to Solenopsis molesta, "...that species apparently does not actually occur in California, sadly no one actually knows what S. molesta actually is since the types are lost. My dad went to the type locality and collected samples which based on body chemistry represent two species which did nothing to clear the situation up."

 

I have seen at least 3 different thief ants here in California. None have seemed to be polygynous.

[Ender Ants]

August 9, 2020: More workers

 

Natural Setup:

I don't know how many workers are in here, but I have given them leafhoppers, fish food, honey, and Hawaiian punch (Soda). They have made tiny hills and tunnels all around the edges. Really exciting footage for the future. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dealate in Test Tube:

This colony has about 10 workers now, and they are tiny! Probably smaller than my Brachymyrmex workers. I gave them honey for the first time, and luckily none drowned. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Alate in Test Tube:

This queen still has eggs. I might brood boost her now that I have two fertile colonies. 

 

 

 

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Dealate in Sand Test Tube:

Sadly the other queen in one of these setups had died. She didn't have any eggs left, so I think she had eaten them before dying. Also might brood boost this one because I don't think she will make it either. 

 

Edited by Ender Ants, August 9 2020 - 4:59 PM.

[TechAnt]

Cool!

(Also Ender I watch your videos, they are awesome, on a side-note)

[Ender Ants]

Cool!

(Also Ender I watch your videos, they are awesome, on a side-note)

Thank you! You are one of the first to see updates on my colonies before they're shown on my channel 

[Antkid12]

Nice pics.