Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Wooden Formicarium Ideas?!


  • Please log in to reply
12 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Jonny8040 - Posted August 4 2020 - 9:45 AM

Jonny8040

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 143 posts
  • LocationVirginia
Hey guys,
To start off, I do not own these nests as I got the pictures off the internet. I want to know what you all think about these for wood dwelling species such as crematogaster or camponotus? Pros and cons. Go ahead 🙂

In Jesus,
Jonny

Attached Images

  • 7A911AA5-CC9F-44F9-A081-A3AD3A3F4569.jpeg

  • TennesseeAnts, RushmoreAnts, TechAnt and 3 others like this
In Jesus,
Jonny

#2 Offline TechAnt - Posted August 4 2020 - 10:15 AM

TechAnt

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,303 posts
  • LocationLos Angeles, California
Cons

1. I’m not sure how you’d hydrate it
2. They could rot quickly

In the middle stuff
Camponotus (maybe Crematogaster too) could carve the set-up however they want, as they could chomp through the wood. I don’t know if you would want this or not.

Pros

1. Probably very comfortable for Crematogaster or Camponotus
My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen

#3 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted August 4 2020 - 10:21 AM

Kaelwizard

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,852 posts
  • LocationPoway, California
For Crematogaster hydration probably wouldn’t be necessary as long as you provide a source of drinking water in the outworld.

Also I think you hydrate using the wood on the outside of the tank somehow.

Edited by Kaelwizard, August 4 2020 - 10:21 AM.


#4 Offline TechAnt - Posted August 4 2020 - 10:22 AM

TechAnt

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,303 posts
  • LocationLos Angeles, California

For Crematogaster hydration probably wouldn’t be necessary as long as you provide a source of drinking water in the outworld.


Fair point, but my con about that for Camponotus still stands.
My Ants:
(x1) Campontous semitstaceus ~20 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Camponotus vicinus ~10 workers, 1 Queen (all black variety)
(x1) Tetramorium immigrans ~100 workers, 1 Queen
(x1) Myrmercocystus mexicanus -1 Queen
(x2) Mymercocystus mimcus -1 Queen
(x1) Mymercocystus testaceus ~45 workers, 1 Queen

#5 Offline BlueLance213 - Posted August 4 2020 - 10:33 AM

BlueLance213

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 120 posts

Yeah sadly the wood would also discolour rather quickly once too much moisture gets into the wood, it wouldn't bother the ants, but it might look less attractive down the line. Id still honestly try it though, would be interesting to see how it goes



#6 Offline ANTdrew - Posted August 4 2020 - 10:46 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,957 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
I think a wood nest like this could work really well for Crematogaster. You could sprinkle water on the wood like rainfall and provide drinking water.
  • TechAnt and BlueLance213 like this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#7 Offline ponerinecat - Posted August 4 2020 - 11:09 AM

ponerinecat

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,650 posts
  • LocationCalifornia

Wood discoloring/rot would be fine imo. Just a more realistic nest. the ants carving their own cambers should be fine as well, since they won't leave the wood piece.



#8 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted August 4 2020 - 11:22 AM

RushmoreAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 4,246 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

 it might look less attractive down the line.

I honestly think rotting wood adds a very natural, woodsy tone.


"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

 

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis


#9 Offline BlueLance213 - Posted August 4 2020 - 11:59 AM

BlueLance213

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 120 posts

I don't mind rotting wood either :P I just meant if they are looking for it to still be of similar condition a year down the line, id be doubtful, just saying haha :P Personally if i could get a cut piece of tree like that, Id use it, i mean worst thing is it rots badly, ants will be fine though since they are usually in that environment.



#10 Offline Jonny8040 - Posted August 4 2020 - 12:33 PM

Jonny8040

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 143 posts
  • LocationVirginia
So would the camponotus need nest hyrdration? From what I understand, crematogaster don't
In Jesus,
Jonny

#11 Offline ponerinecat - Posted August 4 2020 - 12:52 PM

ponerinecat

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,650 posts
  • LocationCalifornia

So would the camponotus need nest hyrdration? From what I understand, crematogaster don't

all ants need hydration of some sort. but some can stand drier conditions than others.



#12 Offline Antkid12 - Posted August 4 2020 - 1:39 PM

Antkid12

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,009 posts
  • LocationFairfax, Virginia

 A wood nest with narrow chambers would probably be good for Colobopsis.


Ants I have: Tapinoma sessile(2 queen colony). RED MORPH Camponotus neacticus(now has pupae!), Tetramorium immigrans (x3), Aphaenogaster sp, Temnothorax sp, Brachymyrmex sp.   possibly infertile   :(,  Ponera pennsylvanica, and Pheidole morrisi!  :yahoo: 

 

Other insects: Polistes sp. Queen

                    

Ants I need: Pheidole sp., Trachymyrmex sp., Crematogaster cerasi , Dorymyrmex sp. Most wanted: Pheidole morrisii

 

                    

                   

 

 


#13 Offline Jonny8040 - Posted August 4 2020 - 1:45 PM

Jonny8040

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 143 posts
  • LocationVirginia
I might see what I can come up with for one and put it on here and see what y’all think! I have a router so that should do the trick
  • CatsnAnts likes this
In Jesus,
Jonny




1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users