117 replies to this topic

[KitsAntVa]

I didn’t know that, I’m currently keeping it on my desk right in front of my window and it gets lots of light as well as in a sealed container with small air holes so it is very humid.

[KitsAntVa]

Minor update-

 

The queen is continuing to lay tons of eggs each week, she now has around 20 larvae either on the heating mat side of their fortress or on the water tower. I see a single pupa in there, it is very small but its the first one after a long hibernation. I bought a new nest i'm planning to use for a pheidole colony this year. Its a mini labyrinth and for now i'm going to use it for my Pogonomyrmex because I will be able to see them much more.

 

I went back and checked the journal entry. From January 25 to February 15, that's probably the fastest growth in any ant colony I've ever seen.

Edited by KitsAntVa, February 15 2021 - 5:30 PM.

[ANTdrew]

That’s awesome, man!

[KitsAntVa]

Moving day and Brood Pile

Since I did leave this weekend I had no idea if some ants had hardened or what happened at all. 

Monday of last week

I ordered a new nest called a mini labyrinth with high hopes of it getting to my apartment within the same week, Mack did not fail me with shipping timing this once.

Friday 19th

The nest got here right in time since I was about to leave and I wanted to get them moved in and settled while I was gone. They gladly moved to the nest because of light and because of how much more heat the nest would allow then all my other ones.

Monday 22nd

I got back and checked on them today and currently they have a small work force of around 15 workers but they make up for it in their brood pile. Who thought 15 workers could take care of about 100 eggs, 20 larvae and about 20 pupae and two of the pupae are about to turn into ants.

Side note-They really like silverfish. oh and fish flakes? for some reason

 

Since I cannot take pictures at this time here is some pictures of the nest from tarheelants.

https://tarheelants....yrinth-grey-108

 

I still have a album but it doesn't have any new pics.

https://www.formicul...lis-kits-pogos/

Edited by KitsAntVa, February 22 2021 - 6:57 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

Gosh I wish my Pogonomyrmex made it. They seem really fun to keep.

[KitsAntVa]

March 12,

 

The nest has been packed full with workers lately although when I put them in there they only fit in one chamber. They continue to impress me with their hunting and recycling skills even if some workers don't fall in line with the others. Worker count is probably around 25-30 with about 15 extra callows and about 25 larvae a ton of eggs and pupae. The queen is either hanging on the side of their nest at all times or just hiding for no reason because the workers find her easily. Seeds are always in the outworld as well as being fed a lot of protein such as dubias since I just got a lot of them. By the next update I should have pictures. 

[KitsAntVa]

Update, April 15 :0

Recently I have not been on here a lot but here is my update after an entire month and almost three without pictures.
They have been growing very very fast and almost have outgrown their nest there in now which is a mini labyrinth. They started in that thing with around 15 workers since they woke up and now they have around maybe 100-120 and have tons of brood.
Count: Larvae-60 Pupae-80-90 Eggs-200-300. Gonna have to connect their old fortress soon or get a new nests because they already have almost filled up the satellite nests I attached just two days ago.

Pretty sure this is gonna be a male, you can see a couple workers stressing it out.

Edited by KitsAntVa, April 15 2021 - 7:06 AM.

[Antkeeper01]

Update, April 15 :0

Recently I have not been on here a lot but here is my update after an entire month and almost three without pictures.
They have been growing very very fast and almost have outgrown their nest there in now which is a mini labyrinth. They started in that thing with around 15 workers since they woke up and now they have around maybe 100-120 and have tons of brood.
Count: Larvae-60 Pupae-80-90 Eggs-200-300. Gonna have to connect their old fortress soon or get a new nests because they already have almost filled up the satellite nests I attached just two days ago.D7344908-6B35-4BC8-B8DC-AE7478842574.jpegC495A99D-1AE9-4CA5-9629-5CAF0EE71C04.jpegC184CFAF-E909-4E0B-B2D9-99E88403C507.jpegC4FAD316-63B8-471D-8810-62A3C6F2EF2D.jpegA32C2C9E-CA8C-44EC-9BA4-1ACA9F525FB8.jpeg

Pretty sure this is gonna be a male, you can see a couple workers stressing it out.

6F2F0397-0E70-4362-8E24-55790D46CB65.jpeg

nice colony!

[ANTdrew]

This is awesome!

Just noticed you need a T in Seeditionists in your title.

[KitsAntVa]

I had to add a fortress nest on with a connecting piece from aus ants and I'm still shaking and sweating as I'm typing this. Can you imagine 200 raging ants wondering why their outworld isn't connecting anymore but not being scared about it, instead just running ready to sting whatever they touch being barely and inch away from your hand?

[Chickalo]

I wish I wasn't a broke child so I could buy some colonies from THA   nice journal tho, very interesting.  Good to know they're growing nicely

Edited by Chickalo, April 29 2021 - 6:44 AM.

[TacticalHandleGaming]

I had to add a fortress nest on with a connecting piece from aus ants and I'm still shaking and sweating as I'm typing this. Can you imagine 200 raging ants wondering why their outworld isn't connecting anymore but not being scared about it, instead just running ready to sting whatever they touch being barely and inch away from your hand?

 

Sounds a little stressful, to say the least! 

[KitsAntVa]

stressful is an understatement. Ill post pictures in a couple minutes and a paragraph explaining what happened in a minute.

..

[KitsAntVa]

As you can see here-the thin connection and highway I had to deal with connecting all at the same time.

[ANTdrew]

Owning a massive ant colony is actually a really stressful endeavor.

[Kaelwizard]

Owning a massive ant colony is actually a really stressful endeavor.

That's why I like to stick with species that don't get huge colonies.

[KitsAntVa]

My next update should be soon for this journal. I am getting two XL formisquariums from Cheeto soon and those two nests will be used for them. I'm sure they will fit in there but I'm not sure how long it will take for them to grow out of it lol.

[TacticalHandleGaming]

My next update should be soon for this journal. I am getting two XL formisquariums from Cheeto soon and those two nests will be used for them. I'm sure they will fit in there but I'm not sure how long it will take for them to grow out of it lol.

Might have to start thinking about a Pioneer XL or something. I hope I can one day get my pogonomyrmex to this level.