14 replies to this topic

[CatsnAnts]

Hello all!

I caught a few queens of what I originally thought were Solenopsis molesta, but later proved to be Solenopsis carolinensis. I put five in a test tube to start with a few weeks ago, and currently there are three queens still alive. Fortunately, they are all still cooperating peacefully.

Solenopsis carolinensis (3 queens):
These queens are quite adorable up close, but I'm worried about the fighting that is still to come. They have quite a few eggs and a few small larvae:

Edited by CatsnAnts, August 30 2020 - 3:27 PM.

[ANTdrew]

These are quite bulky when magnified like that. I’ve found four, but I’m maxed out, so I didn’t keep them. Maybe I’l try next year...

[Antkid12]

So cute!

[Kaelwizard]

I would like to find S. molesta again this year. I really like how the queens look.

[TennesseeAnts]

I believe S. carolinensis are polygynous, so they shouldn't fight.

[CatsnAnts]

I believe S. carolinensis are polygynous, so they shouldn't fight.

I thought so too, but two queens have already been ripped to shreds. Maybe it’s a local species thing?

[TennesseeAnts]

 

I believe S. carolinensis are polygynous, so they shouldn't fight.

I thought so too, but two queens have already been ripped to shreds. Maybe it’s a local species thing?

 

Those two could have been a different species. I accidentally put a S. carolinensis queen in with my S. molesta 16 queen group, and she was destroyed.

[CatsnAnts]

Update 8-1-2020

 

 

Solenopsis carolinensis (3 queens):

 

These three queens are still getting along, and there hasn't been any aggression lately, so I'm beginning to think that Ant_Dude was right in that I may have accidentally mixed two species unknowingly. This colony has lots of eggs and larvae, and they should also be getting some pupae sometime soon.

 

 

 

Photography tutorial https://www.formicul...ds/#entry157595

[BlueLance213]

Absolutely gorgeous pictures!

[CatsnAnts]

Update 8-23-2020

 

 

Solenopsis carolinensis (3 queens):

 

The first nanitics have eclosed! The workers were hiding under the brood pile, so I didn't see them at first. They have lots of eggs, larvae, and a few more pupae to need to eclose.

 

[TheAntGuy]

Wow i love the color on those solenopsis! They are like tiny C. fragilis!

[CatsnAnts]

Wow i love the color on those solenopsis! They are like tiny C. fragilis!

Me too! The workers will still darken some some over a short period of time though.

[CatsnAnts]

Update 8-30-2020

 

 

Solenopsis carolinensis (3 queens):

 

This colony now has about 7-8 workers total, and the queens have begun to look a little physogastric as of recently.

 

[Antkid12]

awesome!

[TheAntGuy]

Lookin good!