18 replies to this topic

[Canadian anter]

So this year an antkeeper from Guelph and I collaborated to attempt to breed Stigmatomma pallipes in captivity. We captures 2-3 mature colonies of around 40 individuals and placed them in a semi-naturalistic setup with a few test tubes and items on which the Stigmatomma queens could spread their pheromones. A few days ago we came back to see that several of the previously-winged Stigmatomma pallipes Queens had shed their wings and left the original nests into the outworld, along with several dead males. These were found 2-3 days after the queen alates initially had eclosed, which upon further reading has been the normal time after éclosion when nuptial flights occur for this species. Wild Stigmatomma pallipes was also flying outside at the time. (We attempted to mimic outside conditions). Would it be reasonable to assume that a nuptial flight had occurred?

[VenomousBeast]

Yes, this species has also been known to mate in the nest.

[RushmoreAnts]

Perhaps this should be attempted with a species that is not known to mate in the nest.

[ponerinecat]

Workers can be fertilized, this was actually an idea of mine, would be a good source for research and a great moneymaker if you wish. Still looking for any sign of these ants, how do you capture that many colonies at once.

[123LordOfAnts123]

With separate colonies some species of Odontomachus are easily bred.

[Canadian anter]

Workers can be fertilized, this was actually an idea of mine, would be a good source for research and a great moneymaker if you wish. Still looking for any sign of these ants, how do you capture that many colonies at once.

I have a few areas where I could catch 3-4 colonies in a day if I needed to. Holding off tho since they're normally so hard to find

[ponerinecat]

 

Workers can be fertilized, this was actually an idea of mine, would be a good source for research and a great moneymaker if you wish. Still looking for any sign of these ants, how do you capture that many colonies at once.

I have a few areas where I could catch 3-4 colonies in a day if I needed to. Holding off tho since they're normally so hard to find

 

Good gosh. I thought Canada was bad for anting.

[Canadian anter]

Workers can be fertilized, this was actually an idea of mine, would be a good source for research and a great moneymaker if you wish. Still looking for any sign of these ants, how do you capture that many colonies at once.

I have a few areas where I could catch 3-4 colonies in a day if I needed to. Holding off tho since they're normally so hard to find

Good gosh. I thought Canada was bad for anting.

Stigmatomma like a really really specific type of habitat from what I see, and I have no mind to deplete those areas

[ForestDragon]

What kind of habitat do you find them? I have seen one worker before but I didn't capture her cuz it was a worker

[ponerinecat]

workers can become gamergates.

[TennesseeAnts]

Yea you need a male though.

[ponerinecat]

Males are flying right now, I can easily attract them with lights when they fly.

[ForestDragon]

Where could I find these guys I have some woods behind my house I could look in Would i sift through leaf litter? and the only difference I see between workers and queens is that queens have 3 segments on their gaster and workers have 4

[ponerinecat]

Wing scars. I have no experience with collecting them, I think they live in leaf litter and under flat stones.

[ForestDragon]

Wing scars. I have no experience with collecting them, I think they live in leaf litter and under flat stones.

 

Wing scars. I have no experience with collecting them, I think they live in leaf litter and under flat stones.

Well I have some large woods behind my grandmas house and I could look there I don't think anyone has been there in years

[ponerinecat]

that's a good thing, environment will be undisturbed.

[Canadian anter]

I don't believe Stigmatomma have gamergates

[ponerinecat]

I don't believe Stigmatomma have gamergates

Pallipes probably don't, I got confused because ants from the reclinatum group do.

[Ant_KeeperSeb09]

 

 

 

Workers can be fertilized, this was actually an idea of mine, would be a good source for research and a great moneymaker if you wish. Still looking for any sign of these ants, how do you capture that many colonies at once.

I have a few areas where I could catch 3-4 colonies in a day if I needed to. Holding off tho since they're normally so hard to find

Good gosh. I thought Canada was bad for anting.

Stigmatomma like a really really specific type of habitat from what I see, and I have no mind to deplete those areas

 

Where? I want some stigmatomma