17 replies to this topic

[CatsnAnts]

This is probably getting a bit annoying by now with all of the new journals I've been posting since I no longer have my collective journal, sorry 'bout that. This also means that I'm breaking down my collective Strumigenys journal that I just started even more so that I can have a journal on each individual species. This journal will be detailing the unknown red species that I currently have.

 

Strumigenys sp. (1 queen):

This colony has been eating lots of springtails lately. I captured six large springtails last night for them and I could only spot the corpse of one. I have been experimenting with some good photo settings/setups for Strumigenys, but never quite turns out clear. If anyone can ID these with some of the closeups on the heads, please share:

Edited by CatsnAnts, July 30 2020 - 9:55 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Likely the invasive S. membranifera.

[CatsnAnts]

Likely the invasive S. membranifera.

I considered this possibility, however, the head shape is very elongated on the species that I have where as S. membranifera has a more blunt head shape.

 

Edit: I'm thinking something more along the lines of S. pergandei.

Edited by CatsnAnts, July 24 2020 - 8:40 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

 

Likely the invasive S. membranifera.

I considered this possibility, however, the head shape is very elongated on the species that I have where as S. membranifera has a more blunt head shape.

 

Edit: I'm thinking something more along the lines of S. pergandei.

 

Hmm. That is a possibility...

[CatsnAnts]

Strumigenys sp. (1 queen):

This colony has now been moved into a petri dish (thanks Antdude ), so I now have the ability to remove the lid to allow for better photos. This is basically going to be a photo dump, and here's a link to the ID thread (with close-ups as well) https://www.formicul...20-good-photos/ :

Edited by CatsnAnts, July 30 2020 - 9:48 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

HOW DID YOU GET SUCH GOOD PICTURES?!?!?

[CatsnAnts]

HOW DID YOU GET SUCH GOOD PICTURES?!?!?

Haha thanks, it's just a DSLR camera with a reversal ring on the standard lens. Took a lot of fiddling and research to finally be able to get good photos. Seriously though, if you already have a camera, don't buy a macro lens, just buy a reversal ring for 8 dollars.

 

Edit: Also, I've built a light diffuser for the flash as well as made a light-box, or else I couldn't get properly-lit macro shots.

Edited by CatsnAnts, July 26 2020 - 1:05 PM.

[Manitobant]

Do these guys require high humidity?

[CatsnAnts]

Do these guys require high humidity?

Yes, very high humidity at all times. 

Edited by CatsnAnts, July 26 2020 - 4:59 PM.

[CatsnAnts]

I just now realized that this colony has alate pupae. Also, they are now building a sort of “dirt wall” in their Petri dish to surround their brood pile.

[ponerinecat]

Beautiful.

[Antkid12]

The pictures are incredile.

[RushmoreAnts]

I just now realized that this colony has alate pupae. 

Male or female?

[CatsnAnts]

I just now realized that this colony has alate pupae.

Male or female?

Basing it off of the pictures, it appears as though they have both - which is good. I want to try and breed them, which is very unlikely to work, especially since I only have one colony.

[RushmoreAnts]

 

 

I just now realized that this colony has alate pupae.

Male or female?

Basing it off of the pictures, it appears as though they have both - which is good. I want to try and breed them, which is very unlikely to work, especially since I only have one colony.

Yeah, this species seems like one that would be picky about nuptial flight triggers.

[CatsnAnts]

Update 7-30-2020

 

 

Strumigenys cf. clypeata (1 queen):

 

These gals are architects! I had no idea that they could build so well, especially with just bare soil, but their wall is coming along nicely, and the queen feels safe there too! More eggs are being laid as well, I just hope that this colony or any of my other colonies were exposed to the deadly mold:

 

[TennesseeAnts]

I think I might go out and collect that S. louisianae colony today...

[CatsnAnts]

I think I might go out and collect that S. louisianae colony today...

Do it, do it now, I dare you.