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NickAnter's Solenopsis spp. Journal (Cool Video)

Started By NickAnter , Jun 11 2019 5:58 AM
solenopsis molesta solenopsis monomorium

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#1 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 11 2019 - 5:58 AM

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Last night I caught 5 Solenopsis cf. Truncorum queens, and over twenty molestas. I have most in test tubes, with 20 molestas in one, a snap cap vial formicarium thing with 3 molestas, and one tube with 3 truncorums, and 1 with 2. I caught the three molestas in my pool, and the rest on a black light. The truncorums were all found in my pool. At least one molesta is fertile because I saw them mate. Will post pictures tomorrow. Edit: will post pictures in 5 days.


Edited by NickAnter, November 21 2021 - 7:40 PM.

  • ANTdrew likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#2 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 11 2019 - 2:22 PM

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Well two EDIT:1 ergatogyna died, and like five or so molestas died. Hopefully these are the infertile ones. I will hopefully get more tonight, on my black light. Or in my pool. Does anyone want a truncorum queen specimen, as they seem to be fairly unstudied?

Edited by NickAnter, June 20 2019 - 2:54 PM.

  • FloridaAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#3 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 12 2019 - 4:36 PM

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Well another ergatognya died, and all the molestas that were on the wet part of the cotton, being calm, died, well, more accurately downed from digging into the cotton, or diving into condensation. My guess is that there are no fertile molestas now. :ugone2far: (n) The remaining ergatogynas, however, are being very calm. I really hope these get workers! :)

Edited by NickAnter, June 20 2019 - 2:54 PM.

  • FloridaAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#4 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 13 2019 - 2:21 PM

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Well, knock on wood, the deaths have stopped! Also, two molestas in a separate setup came back to life!  Hopefully, after being left alone for five days, they will lay some eggs! :yes:


  • TennesseeAnts, zantezaint and FloridaAnts like this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#5 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 13 2019 - 6:32 PM

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Well, I think that the truncorum species is actually Monomorium ergatatogyna. I do not see how I have not seen workers, but they definitely have three segmented clubs, which means they are Monomorium, not Solenopsis. I might be putting all of my ants into one journal, as it would be easier that way, only having to update one journal.

Edited by NickAnter, June 20 2019 - 2:54 PM.

  • TennesseeAnts and FloridaAnts like this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#6 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 14 2019 - 2:21 PM

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Well two ergatogyna queens died, leaving me with one.

Edited by NickAnter, June 20 2019 - 2:54 PM.

  • FloridaAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#7 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 14 2019 - 4:15 PM

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Well, here are two queens which were caught in my pool, the night I caught the rest. They were transfered to the tube which previously housed a ergatognya trio. Here it is:

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#8 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 14 2019 - 4:18 PM

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Dang it, imgur is not working, will post later.
That photo is not the one.

Edited by NickAnter, June 14 2019 - 4:17 PM.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#9 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 14 2019 - 4:38 PM

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Here we go!
  • smares and FloridaAnts like this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#10 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 15 2019 - 2:43 PM

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Has anyone had experience starting monomorium from single queens? How long does it take for them to lay, and then to get workers. I haven't made a separate journal for them because there has been no good progress. Any advice is welcomed.

Edited by NickAnter, June 15 2019 - 2:44 PM.

  • FloridaAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#11 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 16 2019 - 11:34 AM

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Well, I couldn't help but look, and to my delight, one queen has a good pile of eggs, a molesta queen does, anyway, no ergatogyna activity. Hopefully these fifteen or so eggs hatch.

Edited by NickAnter, June 20 2019 - 2:55 PM.

  • FloridaAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#12 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 18 2019 - 2:46 PM

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Well, these either have one larger larva, or they layed like fifteen more eggs.  Either way, the most productive queens I have ever seen, as it seems that two are taking care of the eggs, one winged, one not.  I also found one more walking on our pool cover at about noon.  Hopefuuly this one is fertile too, as she went into a tube with a seemingly infertile queen.


  • FloridaAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#13 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 22 2019 - 7:47 AM

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Well there are now about 40 or 50 eggs. None have hatched for a while. All living queens are clustered around eggs, caring for them. I am guessing that the eggs are not fertile, as it has been a week with no development. Oh and I found an alate this morning, just walking around, probably infertile. I still put it in the tube with 40 eggs though.7 The tube with two queens has 2 eggs.

Edited by NickAnter, June 22 2019 - 7:49 AM.

  • FloridaAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#14 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 22 2019 - 8:08 AM

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I keep catching more monomrium in my pool, and they either die, or do absolutely nothing. They have no brood whatsoever. Hopefully they start doing better soon.

Edited by NickAnter, June 22 2019 - 8:08 AM.

  • FloridaAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#15 Offline ponerinecat - Posted June 22 2019 - 9:29 AM

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I keep catching more monomrium in my pool, and they either die, or do absolutely nothing. They have no brood whatsoever. Hopefully they start doing better soon.

try grouping them together


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#16 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 22 2019 - 9:55 AM

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I have been. I put them all in a large tube.

Edited by NickAnter, June 22 2019 - 9:56 AM.

  • FloridaAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#17 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 25 2019 - 9:42 AM

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Update: There are two Monomorium queens lef, with no brood.

There are five Solenopsis molesta queens left, many were killed in fighting. There are still about 40 eggs.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#18 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 26 2019 - 10:25 AM

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There are now only 4 molestas left. A monomorium queen shed her wings, but was sadly killed by the winged others. Two remain. No eggs.
  • FloridaAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#19 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 27 2019 - 9:47 AM

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Three molestas left. I dropped the monomorium tube, breaking it. I found three more though, so it did not matter that much. I am now housing two in a natural setup, and another in a different setup using wet cotton and a snap cap vial.

Edited by NickAnter, June 28 2019 - 12:41 PM.

  • FloridaAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#20 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 28 2019 - 12:42 PM

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Well, all queens broke off their wings, in the monomorium setup! Dirt works! The molestas are the same. Probably infertile.
  • mantisgal and FloridaAnts like this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

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