16 replies to this topic

[B_rad0806]

7-26-20

Yesterday I bought a colony of these from Nurbs. They have 11 workers and a lot of eggs. The queen is also missing a leg but that shouldn't be bad. I can't wait to see how big I get this colony in the future. I'm also excited for the majors that will come in the future.

 

Edited by B_rad0806, June 30 2021 - 12:49 PM.

[RushmoreAnts]

How large is this queen? These are known to be large compared to other Camponotus, correct?

[B_rad0806]

How large is this queen? These are known to be large compared to other Camponotus, correct?

Its somewhere around +20 mm, I'm comparing it to my modoc which was my largest queen and the Ca02 is longer and fatter.

[sirjordanncurtis]

Good luck with this species!

[B_rad0806]

Update 8-14-20

These guys have 17 workers now. All their pupae hatched so they just have eggs and larvae. So far so good!

[B_rad0806]

Update 2-13-21

Before winter these had 19 workers but lost 2 during the time. Once a put them on heat they only had a few medium size larvae. Since then larvae has grown every day and they now have 4 pupae and 12 larvae. The queen also laid a few eggs. I expect in the next few days they will have around 9 pupae

Edited by B_rad0806, February 13 2021 - 4:25 PM.

[B_rad0806]

Update 3-2-21

The other day they lost a worker most likely due to old age but I am not worried. They now have 11 pupae and one of them its really big. It will most likely be a median when it hatches. The eggs that the queen laid a few weeks ago are now turning into larvae. Their larvae pile has around 10+. 

[Antkeeper01]

Great pics!

[B_rad0806]

Update 3-12-21

These guys just started getting new workers. They gained 4 nanitics in the past few days. This morning another worker died most likely due to age but it is all good. More workers should be hatching soon and their brood pile is still growing. Doing really good

[B_rad0806]

Update 3-24-20

The big pupae just hatched a few hours ago! But I was very disappointed to see it was only a big worker. I was hoping it will be a median but it was only a big minor. Either way it is still cool. The colony now has 24 workers but lost 2 more old workers. Their pupae pile keeps growing along with their larvae. It appears they have 20-30 eggs that the queen just laid. 

[Lillyrose]

They take them out often? I think it's cool they bring them out like that. Is there more heat there?

[B_rad0806]

They take them out often? I think it's cool they bring them out like that. Is there more heat there?

Yeah the heat is positioned at the end of their formicarium. Most of the time they put all their brood here 

[B_rad0806]

Update 4-11-21

I was lucky enough to get a queen of these from Nurbs yesterday. It has a few eggs already. My larger colony is also doing well. It appears they lost all their nanitics due to old age but their brood pile is pretty nice. They are still at 24 workers but 2 more pupae should hatch soon.

[nurbs]

You're welcome Bradley don't kill her or I am defriending for sure this time.

 

Update 4-11-21

I was lucky enough to get a queen of these from Nurbs yesterday. It has a few eggs already. My larger colony is also doing well. It appears they lost all their nanitics due to old age but their brood pile is pretty nice. They are still at 24 workers but 2 more pupae should hatch soon.

[B_rad0806]

 

You're welcome Bradley don't kill her or I am defriending for sure this time.

 

Update 4-11-21

I was lucky enough to get a queen of these from Nurbs yesterday. It has a few eggs already. My larger colony is also doing well. It appears they lost all their nanitics due to old age but their brood pile is pretty nice. They are still at 24 workers but 2 more pupae should hatch soon.

 

Don't worry Mr. Nurbs. I will be sure to get a thriving colony out of this.

[B_rad0806]

Update 5-16-21

My founding queen is doing great. It has 4 pupae, 4 large larvae and 6-8 very small larvae. Workers should be hatching in about a week or 2. My larger colony has 25 workers. I guess I was wrong last update and said that all the old nanitic deaths were done. I was actually wrong because 3 more ended up dying. Since those deaths more pupae has hatched and will hatch very soon. The queen recently laid about 20-40 eggs the other day. Their larvae is also growing very nicely.

[B_rad0806]

Update 6-30-21

Both colonies are doing great. My smaller colony has 10 workers while my larger has 40. I just moved my smaller colony into a pencil case because they are too big to just be in a test tube.