20 replies to this topic

[AlabamaAnt]

Good afternoon!

Just acquired a Pogonomyrmex Queen. Have her in a test tube, added tiny amount of honey and seeds. She was shipped w a worker, but the worker didn't make it. Also seems like she ate her only egg.

I did notice she’s been pulling at cotton. I have a formicarium w an outer world. Should I keep Queen in test tube or move to Formicarium (ie laying tube in outerworld)?

Based off research i need to leave her alone in darkness regardless.

Appreciate the help! I don’t want her to perish!

[Antennal_Scrobe]

What kind of formicarium do you have? If it's a Mini-Hearth, move her in.

[AlabamaAnt]

I have the Formicarium below.

https://formicariums...-fully-featured

[zantezaint]

No worker? Test tube, keep her in a claustral environment. Darkness is a plus, prayer is a must. Next formicarium is slightly too big. I'd go with a minihearth sized after test tube. After minihearth, shift to the formicarium you showed. You got a long ways to go though.

[AleeGuy]

Give her few(mostly small) seeds, put her in a test tube setup(no outworld or formicarium), then put her in a dark place that you don't open often (like empty closet, etc.), don't make too much vibrations, and don't check on her more than once a week

[AlabamaAnt]

The Worker didn't make the trip unfortunately.

10-4, I’ll keep her in the dark and hopefully w a wish and prayer she’ll get through it. Appreciate the advice and my apologies for duplicate post.

Thanks!

[AlabamaAnt]

As far as water goes, its about half way up the vial. Think that will last for a week or so?

[TestSubjectOne]

If you mean that her test tube is half filled with water, then that should last a long time - many months, Although you will likely need to move her before then due to mold.

[AleeGuy]

I placed my camponotus chromaiodes queen in a test tube in may 13 and filled it less than halfway of a test tube with water and now there is about 22 workers and some water still left. If you fill it little more than halfway it will last about 6 month for Pogonomyrmex, they like drier humility too (it may be different because of the temperature and overall humidity in your house). Nvrm they like high humidity.

Edited by AleeGuy, September 7 2020 - 7:32 PM.

[Spazmops]

I placed my camponotus chromaiodes queen in a test tube in may 13 and filled it less than halfway of a test tube with water and now there is about 22 workers and some water still left. If you fill it little more than halfway it will last about 6 month for Pogonomyrmex, they like drier humility too (it may be different because of the temperature and overall humidity in your house).

I’m not sure where you got the idea that they like drier humidity. Every source I can find (and in my own experience founding over 20 P. occidentalis queens) they love high humidity (around 90%, give or take) and thrive in it. 
 

AlabamaAnt, the test tube should be fine. Keep it in the dark, and on a heating source if possible, as heat is especially good for this species. The queen will need moved if her tube completely runs out of water. If she has no brood, moving her into a THA minihearth will be easy, as these queens are very active during founding. The large nest you have picked out should be suitable, but I’d suggest putting substrate in the nest area if possible to keep the humidity up seeing as it’s plastic.

[AleeGuy]

 

I placed my camponotus chromaiodes queen in a test tube in may 13 and filled it less than halfway of a test tube with water and now there is about 22 workers and some water still left. If you fill it little more than halfway it will last about 6 month for Pogonomyrmex, they like drier humility too (it may be different because of the temperature and overall humidity in your house).

I’m not sure where you got the idea that they like drier humidity. Every source I can find (and in my own experience founding over 20 P. occidentalis queens) they love high humidity (around 90%, give or take) and thrive in it. 
 

AlabamaAnt, the test tube should be fine. Keep it in the dark, and on a heating source if possible, as heat is especially good for this species. The queen will need moved if her tube completely runs out of water. If she has no brood, moving her into a THA minihearth will be easy, as these queens are very active during founding. The large nest you have picked out should be suitable, but I’d suggest putting substrate in the nest area if possible to keep the humidity up seeing as it’s plastic.

 

Sorry  , I heard somewhere that they like dry area area or something lol.

[Spazmops]

 

 

I placed my camponotus chromaiodes queen in a test tube in may 13 and filled it less than halfway of a test tube with water and now there is about 22 workers and some water still left. If you fill it little more than halfway it will last about 6 month for Pogonomyrmex, they like drier humility too (it may be different because of the temperature and overall humidity in your house).

I’m not sure where you got the idea that they like drier humidity. Every source I can find (and in my own experience founding over 20 P. occidentalis queens) they love high humidity (around 90%, give or take) and thrive in it. 
 

AlabamaAnt, the test tube should be fine. Keep it in the dark, and on a heating source if possible, as heat is especially good for this species. The queen will need moved if her tube completely runs out of water. If she has no brood, moving her into a THA minihearth will be easy, as these queens are very active during founding. The large nest you have picked out should be suitable, but I’d suggest putting substrate in the nest area if possible to keep the humidity up seeing as it’s plastic.

 

Sorry  , I heard somewhere that they like dry area area or something lol.

 

You’re good. It’s true they tend to nest in more arid environments, but they respond well to an abundance of moisture, and all of the wild colonies I’ve seen are either next to a canal or a stream.

[Kaelwizard]

It would also be more humid below the surface even in an arid environment.

[AlabamaAnt]

 

I placed my camponotus chromaiodes queen in a test tube in may 13 and filled it less than halfway of a test tube with water and now there is about 22 workers and some water still left. If you fill it little more than halfway it will last about 6 month for Pogonomyrmex, they like drier humility too (it may be different because of the temperature and overall humidity in your house).

I’m not sure where you got the idea that they like drier humidity. Every source I can find (and in my own experience founding over 20 P. occidentalis queens) they love high humidity (around 90%, give or take) and thrive in it. 
 

AlabamaAnt, the test tube should be fine. Keep it in the dark, and on a heating source if possible, as heat is especially good for this species. The queen will need moved if her tube completely runs out of water. If she has no brood, moving her into a THA minihearth will be easy, as these queens are very active during founding. The large nest you have picked out should be suitable, but I’d suggest putting substrate in the nest area if possible to keep the humidity up seeing as it’s plastic.

 

What type of substrate do you recommend to keep up humidity?

 

Many thanks

[Spazmops]

 

 

I placed my camponotus chromaiodes queen in a test tube in may 13 and filled it less than halfway of a test tube with water and now there is about 22 workers and some water still left. If you fill it little more than halfway it will last about 6 month for Pogonomyrmex, they like drier humility too (it may be different because of the temperature and overall humidity in your house).

I’m not sure where you got the idea that they like drier humidity. Every source I can find (and in my own experience founding over 20 P. occidentalis queens) they love high humidity (around 90%, give or take) and thrive in it. 
 

AlabamaAnt, the test tube should be fine. Keep it in the dark, and on a heating source if possible, as heat is especially good for this species. The queen will need moved if her tube completely runs out of water. If she has no brood, moving her into a THA minihearth will be easy, as these queens are very active during founding. The large nest you have picked out should be suitable, but I’d suggest putting substrate in the nest area if possible to keep the humidity up seeing as it’s plastic.

 

What type of substrate do you recommend to keep up humidity?

 

Many thanks

 

I used some substrate I took from a dead wild Pogonomyrmex nest, and then baked it in the oven. It’s essentially a mixture of coarse sand and tiny pebbles.

[AlabamaAnt]

Thanks so much guys. Last question for the evening:

We are in South Alabama, 90s and high humidity. In my house we keep it 70-73. Obviously not great for Pogonomyrmexs. Heating pad?

I'm tempted to put her in a shoebox in my shed. Thoughts? Better than a heatpad in my closet?

Really enjoy the forum. Thanks

[Antkeeper01]

 Right now I need a reptile heat pad for my Pogonomyrmex Occidentallis because its snowing.

Edited by Antkeeper01, September 9 2020 - 8:08 AM.

[KitsAntVa]

You don’t really have to get one this late in the year, you can though use it next year but they grow extremely fast once you get one.

[Ants_Dakota]

I would not recommend putting it into a shed. I have had friends kill queens that way when they overheated.

[AlabamaAnt]

Really appreciate the advice folks.  Quick update - the queen has left her test tube setup, good timing because the cotton ball started to change color.  I've added a few seeds and check water regularly, both drinking water and water for humidity. Do you think she'll start to lay eggs or do you think this will start in the spring?

 

 

Check out album below.

Album: Alabama Pogonomyrmex

2 images

0 comments