41 replies to this topic

[M_Ants]

Now I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Solenopsis Amblyhcilla can't have Solenopsis Xyloni pupae they only take Solenopsis Xyloni workers. So for the introduction introduce 1 workers at a time and in the end have at least 50 workers in with her and do not put in Xyloni pupae. I've kept Amblychilla in the past.

Oh why not? I planned to put both callow workers and pupae that would eclose very soon.

[NicholasP]

 

Now I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Solenopsis Amblyhcilla can't have Solenopsis Xyloni pupae they only take Solenopsis Xyloni workers. So for the introduction introduce 1 workers at a time and in the end have at least 50 workers in with her and do not put in Xyloni pupae. I've kept Amblychilla in the past.

Oh why not? I planned to put both callow workers and pupae that would eclose very soon.

 

I'm not sure but my best bet is because the queen has to use her time and rescources to clean and care for the workers and pupae she'd just want to instead get the nutrients she needs to lay her eggs.

[M_Ants]

[NicholasP]

That's perfect!

[Kaelwizard]

Now I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Solenopsis Amblyhcilla can't have Solenopsis Xyloni pupae they only take Solenopsis Xyloni workers. So for the introduction introduce 1 workers at a time and in the end have at least 50 workers in with her and do not put in Xyloni pupae. I've kept Amblychilla in the past.

Oh why not? I planned to put both callow workers and pupae that would eclose very soon.

I'm not sure but my best bet is because the queen has to use her time and rescources to clean and care for the workers and pupae she'd just want to instead get the nutrients she needs to lay her eggs.

The workers will take care of the pupae. As long as there are some workers it will be fine to add pupae.

[M_Ants]

I should really title this Year Two because I'm probably on my 15th attempt or something like that. Anyhow, I'd almost given up hope until I caught a queen on my blacklight. I was shocked because I've only ever seen this species out at a local trail where I normally find them. She removed her wings over night and I happily awoke to a dealate. I fed her and put her in a test tube and gave her the one xyloni worker I had from my colony. She stayed alive long enough for me to go get host workers which I nearly drowned in vinegar and then chilled till curled up before giving to her. Kinda a sad process for them but they lived and so did she. I have now moved them into a Aus Ants ytong nest and she has eggs. The odds are still against her/me but I think there's a good chance of success now. 

 

Edited by M_Ants, August 31 2021 - 9:20 AM.

[M_Ants]

Idk what queen I'm on now. Gone through so many this season trying to succeed. However, I have larvae, and my host xyloni colony is doing well.

Edited by M_Ants, October 10 2021 - 6:17 PM.

[M_Ants]

[M_Ants]

Just realized I never updated this. Don't remember exactly what happened but obviously they died. I got new xyloni queens going so hopefully I'll be better prepared for this season. I plan on only using callows this year.

[M_Ants]

Not giving up. Gonna try and get more queens this year and hopefully enough xyloni brood to boost them with.

[100lols]

Cool! I’m a San Diego native as well.

Following

[100lols]

Just found one of these girls tonight at Mt. Woodson trail. Gonna try your methods! I have quite a few xyloni queens going already. Wish me luck

[M_Ants]

Was lazy and didn't get xyloni queens going so I failed to collect any so maybe next season....

Edited by M_Ants, October 25 2023 - 6:36 AM.

[M_Ants]

[M_Ants]

Finally doing things right this year. Collected a good amount of brood instead of just waiting for one pupae at a time from my xyloni. Also caught three more queens. 

[100lols]

Cheers!!! Hope you can pull these off. I think you have a pretty good setup for success.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

It looks like there are some majors in that pile, did the queen lay eggs?

[M_Ants]

Fairly certain I have a bio worker. 

[M_Ants]

 

Looks bio to me. It's stayed light colored and looks extra small so I'm fairly certain it's not xyloni. 

Edit: it's definitely an ambly. 

Edited by M_Ants, September 3 2024 - 2:12 PM.

[M_Ants]