20 replies to this topic

[MrOdontomachus]

Now I have a trachymyrmex queen with a successful fungus garden she started herself. I have several questions about this species:

 

1. Do they need to mate with as many males as atta or acromyrmex do?

 

2. Do they have "bad" queens, i.e. alates that took off their wings and act as workers (I've heard this is quite common in acromyrmex)? I found mine not far away from a bunch of workers and she hasn't laid any eggs yet so she might be infertile.

 

3. Are they as fussy about temperature and humidity as atta and acromyrmex?

 

I know what plants they harvest and I'm near them so no problem, the fungus is ok, in other words all the usual things you need to worry about when raising fungus growers are under control. What I need to know is if there is a possibility that my queen is not fertile.

 

If these seem like newbie questions I'm sorry, just want to know if there is a possibility that I might be wasting my time trying to raise this queen.

 

I've had her for about 2 weeks if that's relevant at all, still no eggs.

[TechAnt]

1. Unsure

2. Possibly, but also unsure.

3. Yes, they require very humid evnviorments for them to grow their fungus.

[MrOdontomachus]

1. Unsure

2. Possibly, but also unsure.

3. Yes, they require very humid evnviorments for them to grow their fungus.

Got number 3 down.

[RushmoreAnts]

1. Their colonies don’t grow nearly as large, so probably no.

2. Unsure.

[123LordOfAnts123]

1. No—all Trachymyrmex species are singly mated so far as known. Polyandry is much more associated with the higher Attines (Atta, Acromyrmex, etc.) and is usually correlated with larger colony sizes.

2. Yes. Unmated queens that are not allowed to fly will shed their wings and assume a worker role. This is common in captive colonies, but also occurs occasionally in wild ones. Small colonies as few as 50 workers are capable of producing an alate brood, but for unclear reasons these don’t always fly, and I’ve seen a few cases of many slightly-smaller-than-usual dealated (and some still winged) queens foraging and excavating alongside workers from a clearly incipient (or perhaps weakening) nest. There are also cases of extreme pleometrosis in which dozens of presumably fertile queens cooperate in nest-founding—though worker count in this species never seems to exceed a few hundred despite any additional reproductives. Founding queens continue to forage for weeks, (and worker-queens may do so year round) so it can be difficult to determine where some queens are originating.

3. Yes and no. All fungus growers tend to share in the fact that the fungus grows best at temperatures of 75-78 degrees, and humidity levels as high as one can achieve. (but with no fungal contact between standing water/condensation) These conditions are easy to provide in appropriately sized plastic containers containing a base layer of poured plaster (Ultra Cal 30 is my preferred chose of plaster) with simple modifications that allow for external watering. Being the most northernly-ranging fungus grower, T. septentrionalis enters a diapause during the winter, spurred on by milder temperatures and a changing photoperiod. During it workers dismantle the majority of the fungus garden, brood production halts, and activity is greatly reduced for 2-3 months. I’m not sure to what extent colonies originating in far South Florida will follow this behavioral schedule, but they are likely still cued by the shorter day length and milder winter temperatures. At least in here in Central Florida, captive colonies will still enter diapause—and they seem to require it.

You mention “plants they harvest” but Trachymyrmex very rarely harvest fresh plant material apart from fallen flowers and fruit. When they do cut leaves in the manner of higher Attines, their choice of plant tends to be very random and they avoid adding the same species to their garden again for weeks/months. Captive colonies thrive off a diet of steel cut oats, oranges/apples, oak catkins, flowers, caterpillar frass, and a large variety of dried plant material.

[MrOdontomachus]

1. No—all Trachymyrmex species are singly mated so far as known. Polyandry is much more associated with the higher Attines (Atta, Acromyrmex, etc.) and is usually correlated with larger colony sizes.

2. Yes. Unmated queens that are not allowed to fly will shed their wings and assume a worker role. This is common in captive colonies, but also occurs occasionally in wild ones. Small colonies as few as 50 workers are capable of producing an alate brood, but for unclear reasons these don’t always fly, and I’ve seen a few cases of many slightly-smaller-than-usual dealated (and some still winged) queens foraging and excavating alongside workers from a clearly incipient (or perhaps weakening) nest. There are also cases of extreme pleometrosis in which dozens of presumably fertile queens cooperate in nest-founding—though worker count in this species never seems to exceed a few hundred despite any additional reproductives. Founding queens continue to forage for weeks, (and worker-queens may do so year round) so it can be difficult to determine where some queens are originating.

3. Yes and no. All fungus growers tend to share in the fact that the fungus grows best at temperatures of 75-78 degrees, and humidity levels as high as one can achieve. (but with no fungal contact between standing water/condensation) These conditions are easy to provide in appropriately sized plastic containers containing a base layer of poured plaster (Ultra Cal 30 is my preferred chose of plaster) with simple modifications that allow for external watering. Being the most northernly-ranging fungus grower, T. septentrionalis enters a diapause during the winter, spurred on by milder temperatures and a changing photoperiod. During it workers dismantle the majority of the fungus garden, brood production halts, and activity is greatly reduced for 2-3 months. I’m not sure to what extent colonies originating in far South Florida will follow this behavioral schedule, but they are likely still cued by the shorter day length and milder winter temperatures. At least in here in Central Florida, captive colonies will still enter diapause—and they seem to require it.

You mention “plants they harvest” but Trachymyrmex very rarely harvest fresh plant material apart from fallen flowers and fruit. When they do cut leaves in the manner of higher Attines, their choice of plant tends to be very random and they avoid adding the same species to their garden again for weeks/months. Captive colonies thrive off a diet of steel cut oats, oranges/apples, oak catkins, flowers, caterpillar frass, and a large variety of dried plant material.

Thanks but my another queen of mine mated (or appeared to mate) with all the males I had on hand, which was 2. This appeared to confirm my suspicion that they were acromyrmex. That queen took off her wings after about a week and acts like a worker.

Edited by MrOdontomachus, June 17 2020 - 11:42 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

1. No—all Trachymyrmex species are singly mated so far as known. Polyandry is much more associated with the higher Attines (Atta, Acromyrmex, etc.) and is usually correlated with larger colony sizes.
2. Yes. Unmated queens that are not allowed to fly will shed their wings and assume a worker role. This is common in captive colonies, but also occurs occasionally in wild ones. Small colonies as few as 50 workers are capable of producing an alate brood, but for unclear reasons these don’t always fly, and I’ve seen a few cases of many slightly-smaller-than-usual dealated (and some still winged) queens foraging and excavating alongside workers from a clearly incipient (or perhaps weakening) nest. There are also cases of extreme pleometrosis in which dozens of presumably fertile queens cooperate in nest-founding—though worker count in this species never seems to exceed a few hundred despite any additional reproductives. Founding queens continue to forage for weeks, (and worker-queens may do so year round) so it can be difficult to determine where some queens are originating.
3. Yes and no. All fungus growers tend to share in the fact that the fungus grows best at temperatures of 75-78 degrees, and humidity levels as high as one can achieve. (but with no fungal contact between standing water/condensation) These conditions are easy to provide in appropriately sized plastic containers containing a base layer of poured plaster (Ultra Cal 30 is my preferred chose of plaster) with simple modifications that allow for external watering. Being the most northernly-ranging fungus grower, T. septentrionalis enters a diapause during the winter, spurred on by milder temperatures and a changing photoperiod. During it workers dismantle the majority of the fungus garden, brood production halts, and activity is greatly reduced for 2-3 months. I’m not sure to what extent colonies originating in far South Florida will follow this behavioral schedule, but they are likely still cued by the shorter day length and milder winter temperatures. At least in here in Central Florida, captive colonies will still enter diapause—and they seem to require it.
You mention “plants they harvest” but Trachymyrmex very rarely harvest fresh plant material apart from fallen flowers and fruit. When they do cut leaves in the manner of higher Attines, their choice of plant tends to be very random and they avoid adding the same species to their garden again for weeks/months. Captive colonies thrive off a diet of steel cut oats, oranges/apples, oak catkins, flowers, caterpillar frass, and a large variety of dried plant material.

Trachymyrmex, Sericomyrmex and Mycetomoelerius are higher Attines. Atta and Acromyrmex are the only leaf-cutting Attines.

[123LordOfAnts123]

1. No—all Trachymyrmex species are singly mated so far as known. Polyandry is much more associated with the higher Attines (Atta, Acromyrmex, etc.) and is usually correlated with larger colony sizes.
2. Yes. Unmated queens that are not allowed to fly will shed their wings and assume a worker role. This is common in captive colonies, but also occurs occasionally in wild ones. Small colonies as few as 50 workers are capable of producing an alate brood, but for unclear reasons these don’t always fly, and I’ve seen a few cases of many slightly-smaller-than-usual dealated (and some still winged) queens foraging and excavating alongside workers from a clearly incipient (or perhaps weakening) nest. There are also cases of extreme pleometrosis in which dozens of presumably fertile queens cooperate in nest-founding—though worker count in this species never seems to exceed a few hundred despite any additional reproductives. Founding queens continue to forage for weeks, (and worker-queens may do so year round) so it can be difficult to determine where some queens are originating.
3. Yes and no. All fungus growers tend to share in the fact that the fungus grows best at temperatures of 75-78 degrees, and humidity levels as high as one can achieve. (but with no fungal contact between standing water/condensation) These conditions are easy to provide in appropriately sized plastic containers containing a base layer of poured plaster (Ultra Cal 30 is my preferred chose of plaster) with simple modifications that allow for external watering. Being the most northernly-ranging fungus grower, T. septentrionalis enters a diapause during the winter, spurred on by milder temperatures and a changing photoperiod. During it workers dismantle the majority of the fungus garden, brood production halts, and activity is greatly reduced for 2-3 months. I’m not sure to what extent colonies originating in far South Florida will follow this behavioral schedule, but they are likely still cued by the shorter day length and milder winter temperatures. At least in here in Central Florida, captive colonies will still enter diapause—and they seem to require it.
You mention “plants they harvest” but Trachymyrmex very rarely harvest fresh plant material apart from fallen flowers and fruit. When they do cut leaves in the manner of higher Attines, their choice of plant tends to be very random and they avoid adding the same species to their garden again for weeks/months. Captive colonies thrive off a diet of steel cut oats, oranges/apples, oak catkins, flowers, caterpillar frass, and a large variety of dried plant material.

Trachymyrmex, Sericomyrmex and Mycetomoelerius are higher Attines. Atta and Acromyrmex are the only leaf-cutting Attines.

Good catch. Sometimes I forget Trachymyrmex isn’t just a slightly fancier Cyphomyrmex that doesn’t culture yeast. My location is infested with them.

Edited by 123LordOfAnts123, June 17 2020 - 12:06 PM.

[MrOdontomachus]

 

1. No—all Trachymyrmex species are singly mated so far as known. Polyandry is much more associated with the higher Attines (Atta, Acromyrmex, etc.) and is usually correlated with larger colony sizes.
2. Yes. Unmated queens that are not allowed to fly will shed their wings and assume a worker role. This is common in captive colonies, but also occurs occasionally in wild ones. Small colonies as few as 50 workers are capable of producing an alate brood, but for unclear reasons these don’t always fly, and I’ve seen a few cases of many slightly-smaller-than-usual dealated (and some still winged) queens foraging and excavating alongside workers from a clearly incipient (or perhaps weakening) nest. There are also cases of extreme pleometrosis in which dozens of presumably fertile queens cooperate in nest-founding—though worker count in this species never seems to exceed a few hundred despite any additional reproductives. Founding queens continue to forage for weeks, (and worker-queens may do so year round) so it can be difficult to determine where some queens are originating.
3. Yes and no. All fungus growers tend to share in the fact that the fungus grows best at temperatures of 75-78 degrees, and humidity levels as high as one can achieve. (but with no fungal contact between standing water/condensation) These conditions are easy to provide in appropriately sized plastic containers containing a base layer of poured plaster (Ultra Cal 30 is my preferred chose of plaster) with simple modifications that allow for external watering. Being the most northernly-ranging fungus grower, T. septentrionalis enters a diapause during the winter, spurred on by milder temperatures and a changing photoperiod. During it workers dismantle the majority of the fungus garden, brood production halts, and activity is greatly reduced for 2-3 months. I’m not sure to what extent colonies originating in far South Florida will follow this behavioral schedule, but they are likely still cued by the shorter day length and milder winter temperatures. At least in here in Central Florida, captive colonies will still enter diapause—and they seem to require it.
You mention “plants they harvest” but Trachymyrmex very rarely harvest fresh plant material apart from fallen flowers and fruit. When they do cut leaves in the manner of higher Attines, their choice of plant tends to be very random and they avoid adding the same species to their garden again for weeks/months. Captive colonies thrive off a diet of steel cut oats, oranges/apples, oak catkins, flowers, caterpillar frass, and a large variety of dried plant material.

Trachymyrmex, Sericomyrmex and Mycetomoelerius are higher Attines. Atta and Acromyrmex are the only leaf-cutting Attines.

 

wait how do they grow the fungus then?

[RushmoreAnts]

1. No—all Trachymyrmex species are singly mated so far as known. Polyandry is much more associated with the higher Attines (Atta, Acromyrmex, etc.) and is usually correlated with larger colony sizes.
2. Yes. Unmated queens that are not allowed to fly will shed their wings and assume a worker role. This is common in captive colonies, but also occurs occasionally in wild ones. Small colonies as few as 50 workers are capable of producing an alate brood, but for unclear reasons these don’t always fly, and I’ve seen a few cases of many slightly-smaller-than-usual dealated (and some still winged) queens foraging and excavating alongside workers from a clearly incipient (or perhaps weakening) nest. There are also cases of extreme pleometrosis in which dozens of presumably fertile queens cooperate in nest-founding—though worker count in this species never seems to exceed a few hundred despite any additional reproductives. Founding queens continue to forage for weeks, (and worker-queens may do so year round) so it can be difficult to determine where some queens are originating.
3. Yes and no. All fungus growers tend to share in the fact that the fungus grows best at temperatures of 75-78 degrees, and humidity levels as high as one can achieve. (but with no fungal contact between standing water/condensation) These conditions are easy to provide in appropriately sized plastic containers containing a base layer of poured plaster (Ultra Cal 30 is my preferred chose of plaster) with simple modifications that allow for external watering. Being the most northernly-ranging fungus grower, T. septentrionalis enters a diapause during the winter, spurred on by milder temperatures and a changing photoperiod. During it workers dismantle the majority of the fungus garden, brood production halts, and activity is greatly reduced for 2-3 months. I’m not sure to what extent colonies originating in far South Florida will follow this behavioral schedule, but they are likely still cued by the shorter day length and milder winter temperatures. At least in here in Central Florida, captive colonies will still enter diapause—and they seem to require it.
You mention “plants they harvest” but Trachymyrmex very rarely harvest fresh plant material apart from fallen flowers and fruit. When they do cut leaves in the manner of higher Attines, their choice of plant tends to be very random and they avoid adding the same species to their garden again for weeks/months. Captive colonies thrive off a diet of steel cut oats, oranges/apples, oak catkins, flowers, caterpillar frass, and a large variety of dried plant material.

Trachymyrmex, Sericomyrmex and Mycetomoelerius are higher Attines. Atta and Acromyrmex are the only leaf-cutting Attines.

wait how do they grow the fungus then?

I believe they feed it bird poop and other things, correct me if I’m wrong. However, I think their diet is usually different in captivity.

Edited by AntsDakota, June 17 2020 - 3:41 PM.

[MrOdontomachus]

 

 

 

1. No—all Trachymyrmex species are singly mated so far as known. Polyandry is much more associated with the higher Attines (Atta, Acromyrmex, etc.) and is usually correlated with larger colony sizes.
2. Yes. Unmated queens that are not allowed to fly will shed their wings and assume a worker role. This is common in captive colonies, but also occurs occasionally in wild ones. Small colonies as few as 50 workers are capable of producing an alate brood, but for unclear reasons these don’t always fly, and I’ve seen a few cases of many slightly-smaller-than-usual dealated (and some still winged) queens foraging and excavating alongside workers from a clearly incipient (or perhaps weakening) nest. There are also cases of extreme pleometrosis in which dozens of presumably fertile queens cooperate in nest-founding—though worker count in this species never seems to exceed a few hundred despite any additional reproductives. Founding queens continue to forage for weeks, (and worker-queens may do so year round) so it can be difficult to determine where some queens are originating.
3. Yes and no. All fungus growers tend to share in the fact that the fungus grows best at temperatures of 75-78 degrees, and humidity levels as high as one can achieve. (but with no fungal contact between standing water/condensation) These conditions are easy to provide in appropriately sized plastic containers containing a base layer of poured plaster (Ultra Cal 30 is my preferred chose of plaster) with simple modifications that allow for external watering. Being the most northernly-ranging fungus grower, T. septentrionalis enters a diapause during the winter, spurred on by milder temperatures and a changing photoperiod. During it workers dismantle the majority of the fungus garden, brood production halts, and activity is greatly reduced for 2-3 months. I’m not sure to what extent colonies originating in far South Florida will follow this behavioral schedule, but they are likely still cued by the shorter day length and milder winter temperatures. At least in here in Central Florida, captive colonies will still enter diapause—and they seem to require it.
You mention “plants they harvest” but Trachymyrmex very rarely harvest fresh plant material apart from fallen flowers and fruit. When they do cut leaves in the manner of higher Attines, their choice of plant tends to be very random and they avoid adding the same species to their garden again for weeks/months. Captive colonies thrive off a diet of steel cut oats, oranges/apples, oak catkins, flowers, caterpillar frass, and a large variety of dried plant material.

Trachymyrmex, Sericomyrmex and Mycetomoelerius are higher Attines. Atta and Acromyrmex are the only leaf-cutting Attines.

wait how do they grow the fungus then?

I believe they feed it bird poop and other things, correct me if I’m wrong. However, I think their diet is usually different in captivity.

 

My queens grew it fine on leaves, might just stick to that.

[Mdrogun]

 

 

 

1. No—all Trachymyrmex species are singly mated so far as known. Polyandry is much more associated with the higher Attines (Atta, Acromyrmex, etc.) and is usually correlated with larger colony sizes.
2. Yes. Unmated queens that are not allowed to fly will shed their wings and assume a worker role. This is common in captive colonies, but also occurs occasionally in wild ones. Small colonies as few as 50 workers are capable of producing an alate brood, but for unclear reasons these don’t always fly, and I’ve seen a few cases of many slightly-smaller-than-usual dealated (and some still winged) queens foraging and excavating alongside workers from a clearly incipient (or perhaps weakening) nest. There are also cases of extreme pleometrosis in which dozens of presumably fertile queens cooperate in nest-founding—though worker count in this species never seems to exceed a few hundred despite any additional reproductives. Founding queens continue to forage for weeks, (and worker-queens may do so year round) so it can be difficult to determine where some queens are originating.
3. Yes and no. All fungus growers tend to share in the fact that the fungus grows best at temperatures of 75-78 degrees, and humidity levels as high as one can achieve. (but with no fungal contact between standing water/condensation) These conditions are easy to provide in appropriately sized plastic containers containing a base layer of poured plaster (Ultra Cal 30 is my preferred chose of plaster) with simple modifications that allow for external watering. Being the most northernly-ranging fungus grower, T. septentrionalis enters a diapause during the winter, spurred on by milder temperatures and a changing photoperiod. During it workers dismantle the majority of the fungus garden, brood production halts, and activity is greatly reduced for 2-3 months. I’m not sure to what extent colonies originating in far South Florida will follow this behavioral schedule, but they are likely still cued by the shorter day length and milder winter temperatures. At least in here in Central Florida, captive colonies will still enter diapause—and they seem to require it.
You mention “plants they harvest” but Trachymyrmex very rarely harvest fresh plant material apart from fallen flowers and fruit. When they do cut leaves in the manner of higher Attines, their choice of plant tends to be very random and they avoid adding the same species to their garden again for weeks/months. Captive colonies thrive off a diet of steel cut oats, oranges/apples, oak catkins, flowers, caterpillar frass, and a large variety of dried plant material.

Trachymyrmex, Sericomyrmex and Mycetomoelerius are higher Attines. Atta and Acromyrmex are the only leaf-cutting Attines.

wait how do they grow the fungus then?

I believe they feed it bird poop and other things, correct me if I’m wrong. However, I think their diet is usually different in captivity.

 

When I was hunting for Trachymyrmex septentrionalis in Illinois, I first noticed their presence because the vegetation all had little holes in it. My personal colonies also almost exclusively eat leaves. All of the higher Attines in North America will cut leaves, it's just that Acromyrmex spp. and Atta spp. tend to have that be the lionshare of their food, whereas Trachymyrmex septentrionalis are more opportunistic in what they will feed on. However, they will certainly cut leaves out of necessity or if they deem it's the best food available for the fungus.

[MrOdontomachus]

 

 

 

 

1. No—all Trachymyrmex species are singly mated so far as known. Polyandry is much more associated with the higher Attines (Atta, Acromyrmex, etc.) and is usually correlated with larger colony sizes.
2. Yes. Unmated queens that are not allowed to fly will shed their wings and assume a worker role. This is common in captive colonies, but also occurs occasionally in wild ones. Small colonies as few as 50 workers are capable of producing an alate brood, but for unclear reasons these don’t always fly, and I’ve seen a few cases of many slightly-smaller-than-usual dealated (and some still winged) queens foraging and excavating alongside workers from a clearly incipient (or perhaps weakening) nest. There are also cases of extreme pleometrosis in which dozens of presumably fertile queens cooperate in nest-founding—though worker count in this species never seems to exceed a few hundred despite any additional reproductives. Founding queens continue to forage for weeks, (and worker-queens may do so year round) so it can be difficult to determine where some queens are originating.
3. Yes and no. All fungus growers tend to share in the fact that the fungus grows best at temperatures of 75-78 degrees, and humidity levels as high as one can achieve. (but with no fungal contact between standing water/condensation) These conditions are easy to provide in appropriately sized plastic containers containing a base layer of poured plaster (Ultra Cal 30 is my preferred chose of plaster) with simple modifications that allow for external watering. Being the most northernly-ranging fungus grower, T. septentrionalis enters a diapause during the winter, spurred on by milder temperatures and a changing photoperiod. During it workers dismantle the majority of the fungus garden, brood production halts, and activity is greatly reduced for 2-3 months. I’m not sure to what extent colonies originating in far South Florida will follow this behavioral schedule, but they are likely still cued by the shorter day length and milder winter temperatures. At least in here in Central Florida, captive colonies will still enter diapause—and they seem to require it.
You mention “plants they harvest” but Trachymyrmex very rarely harvest fresh plant material apart from fallen flowers and fruit. When they do cut leaves in the manner of higher Attines, their choice of plant tends to be very random and they avoid adding the same species to their garden again for weeks/months. Captive colonies thrive off a diet of steel cut oats, oranges/apples, oak catkins, flowers, caterpillar frass, and a large variety of dried plant material.

Trachymyrmex, Sericomyrmex and Mycetomoelerius are higher Attines. Atta and Acromyrmex are the only leaf-cutting Attines.

wait how do they grow the fungus then?

I believe they feed it bird poop and other things, correct me if I’m wrong. However, I think their diet is usually different in captivity.

 

When I was hunting for Trachymyrmex septentrionalis in Illinois, I first noticed their presence because the vegetation all had little holes in it. My personal colonies also almost exclusively eat leaves. All of the higher Attines in North America will cut leaves, it's just that Acromyrmex spp. and Atta spp. tend to have that be the lionshare of their food, whereas Trachymyrmex septentrionalis are more opportunistic in what they will feed on. However, they will certainly cut leaves out of necessity or if they deem it's the best food available for the fungus.

 

I'm pretty confused now, if Trachymyrmex is a higher attine does that mean it's polyandrous? And mdrogun, do you know if your queen was singly mated?

[TennesseeAnts]

 

 

 

 

1. No—all Trachymyrmex species are singly mated so far as known. Polyandry is much more associated with the higher Attines (Atta, Acromyrmex, etc.) and is usually correlated with larger colony sizes.
2. Yes. Unmated queens that are not allowed to fly will shed their wings and assume a worker role. This is common in captive colonies, but also occurs occasionally in wild ones. Small colonies as few as 50 workers are capable of producing an alate brood, but for unclear reasons these don’t always fly, and I’ve seen a few cases of many slightly-smaller-than-usual dealated (and some still winged) queens foraging and excavating alongside workers from a clearly incipient (or perhaps weakening) nest. There are also cases of extreme pleometrosis in which dozens of presumably fertile queens cooperate in nest-founding—though worker count in this species never seems to exceed a few hundred despite any additional reproductives. Founding queens continue to forage for weeks, (and worker-queens may do so year round) so it can be difficult to determine where some queens are originating.
3. Yes and no. All fungus growers tend to share in the fact that the fungus grows best at temperatures of 75-78 degrees, and humidity levels as high as one can achieve. (but with no fungal contact between standing water/condensation) These conditions are easy to provide in appropriately sized plastic containers containing a base layer of poured plaster (Ultra Cal 30 is my preferred chose of plaster) with simple modifications that allow for external watering. Being the most northernly-ranging fungus grower, T. septentrionalis enters a diapause during the winter, spurred on by milder temperatures and a changing photoperiod. During it workers dismantle the majority of the fungus garden, brood production halts, and activity is greatly reduced for 2-3 months. I’m not sure to what extent colonies originating in far South Florida will follow this behavioral schedule, but they are likely still cued by the shorter day length and milder winter temperatures. At least in here in Central Florida, captive colonies will still enter diapause—and they seem to require it.
You mention “plants they harvest” but Trachymyrmex very rarely harvest fresh plant material apart from fallen flowers and fruit. When they do cut leaves in the manner of higher Attines, their choice of plant tends to be very random and they avoid adding the same species to their garden again for weeks/months. Captive colonies thrive off a diet of steel cut oats, oranges/apples, oak catkins, flowers, caterpillar frass, and a large variety of dried plant material.

Trachymyrmex, Sericomyrmex and Mycetomoelerius are higher Attines. Atta and Acromyrmex are the only leaf-cutting Attines.

wait how do they grow the fungus then?

I believe they feed it bird poop and other things, correct me if I’m wrong. However, I think their diet is usually different in captivity.

 

When I was hunting for Trachymyrmex septentrionalis in Illinois, I first noticed their presence because the vegetation all had little holes in it. My personal colonies also almost exclusively eat leaves. All of the higher Attines in North America will cut leaves, it's just that Acromyrmex spp. and Atta spp. tend to have that be the lionshare of their food, whereas Trachymyrmex septentrionalis are more opportunistic in what they will feed on. However, they will certainly cut leaves out of necessity or if they deem it's the best food available for the fungus.

 

Exactly.

[Mdrogun]

 

When I was hunting for Trachymyrmex septentrionalis in Illinois, I first noticed their presence because the vegetation all had little holes in it. My personal colonies also almost exclusively eat leaves. All of the higher Attines in North America will cut leaves, it's just that Acromyrmex spp. and Atta spp. tend to have that be the lionshare of their food, whereas Trachymyrmex septentrionalis are more opportunistic in what they will feed on. However, they will certainly cut leaves out of necessity or if they deem it's the best food available for the fungus.

I'm pretty confused now, if Trachymyrmex is a higher attine does that mean it's polyandrous? And mdrogun, do you know if your queen was singly mated?

 

I do not know if my queen was singly mated. If you think your ants are not Trachymyrmex septentrionalis, you should provide photos of them. Just because your queen mated twice when you had her in a container with two males doesn't really say anything about her identification. 

[SuperFrank]

Pretty hard to mistake Trachymyrmex with anything else present in the state of Florida. Nothing here looks similar

[RushmoreAnts]

Unless you happen to be a noob.

[MrOdontomachus]

I do know they are trachymyrmex. I'm not asking for an ID. I'm asking if it's polyandrous since it's a higher attine apparently.

 

If I sound like an idiot, please forgive me, I have never kept attines before and don't know anything about their biology, evolutionary history, etc. 

[Mdrogun]

Thanks but my another queen of mine mated (or appeared to mate) with all the males I had on hand, which was 2. This appeared to confirm my suspicion that they were acromyrmex. That queen took off her wings after about a week and acts like a worker.

 

This is why I assumed you were questioning their legitimacy as Trachymyrmex.

 

Not many people, if any, know much about the mating of Trachymyrmex septentrionalis. I would urge you to look for scientific papers published on the topic, and if you turn up empty handed, It'll be thing 9,873,462,143,792 we don't know about ants. 

[123LordOfAnts123]

I’ve seen plenty of mating aggregations of the species and although the males ball around the queens enthusiastically, as far as I’ve seen the queens only seem to allow for one “hook-up”. After a few minutes they seperate and the queens fly off or remove their wings on the spot.