10 replies to this topic

[Ironeyes]

Hi! I'm an undergraduate student at Arizona State, living in Mesa, AZ. I just got a research position working with Indian Jumping Ants (Harpegnathos saltator), and it's lit a fire under my desire to keep ants. It seems right now is the peak of mating season for Acromyrmex versicolor, so my question is: Do I still have time to start completely from scratch this year? Also, if anyone local is going out to catch newly mated queens and wouldn't mind letting a complete noob tag along, I'd be over the moon! 

[Froggy]

I'm pretty sure if you wanted to raise an Acromyrmex versicolor colony you would need a petri dish setup, as normal test tube setups aren't as good for fungus growers, test tube setups are good for basically any other ant besides most cryptics, and for Myrmecocystus, THA (Tar Heel Ants) nests are the best, here are some videos covering these subjects:

 

For test tube setups: https://youtu.be/M1nMY0xuvlY

 

For petri dish setups: https://youtu.be/iceahERV8DU

 

 

Good luck anting!

[TechAnt]

Awesome being an actual researcher, welcome to the forum! I hope you enjoy your time here, I think Acromyrmex is still flying in some parts of the forum, I also believe Cyphomyrmex is still flying too. I’m no expert, or even a keeper of a fungus growing species, so I would wait for more people to come and look at the thread to answer your questions.

I would reccomend dspdrew’s dirt boxes and formicariums for Acromyrmex spp. and other fungus growers:

https://www.formicul...eping-products/

He also has his journals on his Acromyrmex versicolor, which could teach you a bit on keeping Acromyrmex:

https://www.formicul...dated-5-2-2020/

Edited by TechAnt, August 15 2020 - 7:14 PM.

[Manitobant]

There is still many more flights this year. Solenopsis xyloni for example fly until late November.

[Ironeyes]

I'm pretty sure if you wanted to raise an Acromyrmex versicolor colony you would need a petri dish setup, as normal test tube setups aren't as good for fungus growers, test tube setups are good for basically any other ant besides most cryptics, and for Myrmecocystus, THA (Tar Heel Ants) nests are the best, here are some videos covering these subjects:

 

For test tube setups: https://youtu.be/M1nMY0xuvlY

 

For petri dish setups: https://youtu.be/iceahERV8DU

 

 

Good luck anting!

I'll check those out, thanks!

 

Awesome being an actual researcher, welcome to the forum! I hope you enjoy your time here, I think Acromyrmex is still flying in some parts of the forum, I also believe Cyphomyrmex is still flying too. I’m no expert, or even a keeper of a fungus growing species, so I would wait for more people to come and look at the thread to answer your questions.

I would reccomend dspdrew’s dirt boxes and formicariums for Acromyrmex spp. and other fungus growers:

https://www.formicul...eping-products/

He also has his journals on his Acromyrmex versicolor, which could teach you a bit on keeping Acromyrmex:

https://www.formicul...dated-5-2-2020/

I could definitely use a guide specific to leafcutters, since they don't seem to follow the normal rules. Thanks for the links! 

Maybe I wouldn't call myself an "actual researcher" just yet, since I haven't started quite yet and this is my first time doing research in any capacity. But hopefully one day very soon. 

 

There is still many more flights this year. Solenopsis xyloni for example fly until late November.

Neat! S. xyloni can be honeydew feeders, right? I'd love to try building a setup for them and their aphids. Unfortunately, I live with my parents at the moment, and my mother would definitely balk at letting fire ants of any description into the house. I convinced her to let me try A. versicolor on the strength of leafcutters' good reputation and vegetarianism XD

[Antkid12]

Solenopsis xyloni will also need insects though.

[zantezaint]

Waiting for the monsoon in Cali for A.V. as well. Monsoon season ends Sep 30th.

[VenomousBeast]

Several species of Trachymyrmex and Servimyrmex are also flying in AZ in August and September. They are smaller colony versions of Acromyrmex and I suggest you start with them to get a real feel for leaf cutters! They normally have colonies around 800 max so it wouldn’t get too overwhelming. Another note with leaf cutters, is that what works with one colony in terms of food, doesn’t for another. You need to find a colonies favorite by experimenting.

[zantezaint]

Looks Arizona has been pouring the last few days. Congrats.

Edited by zantezaint, August 21 2020 - 11:22 AM.

[Luke_in_AZ]

Hi! I'm an undergraduate student at Arizona State, living in Mesa, AZ. I just got a research position working with Indian Jumping Ants (Harpegnathos saltator), and it's lit a fire under my desire to keep ants. It seems right now is the peak of mating season for Acromyrmex versicolor, so my question is: Do I still have time to start completely from scratch this year? Also, if anyone local is going out to catch newly mated queens and wouldn't mind letting a complete noob tag along, I'd be over the moon! 

 

Not exactly the species you're looking for but if you want a queen ant or two, I'd hook you up for free.  I'm probably only a few minutes drive from you.  

I put some pics of the queens here: https://www.formicul...nly-gilbert-az/

[zantezaint]

https://www.inatural...&taxon_id=50162