71 replies to this topic

[antsandmore]

 

 

Hello, Formiculture!

 

We at the AntsDakota Discord server have put up an Antkeeping Contest of sorts, where we all compete for the title of Camponotus-Master. Basically, at the start of the Camponotus nuptial flight season, we each will collect several queens. We will care for those colonies to the best of our ability, and on November 25th, when the contest closes, the person with the largest colony will win the title. We are considering doing something like this every year for different common genera. The two basic rules are:

 

1. No brood boosting queens.

2. Queens must be collected fresh this nuptial flight season.

 

We're also only allowing species of the subgera (Camponotus) and (Tanaemyrmex) to level the playing-fields, as species from subgenera like (Myrmothrix) aren't found in many states, and have an insane growth rate.

 

Here's some more in-depth info. We hope you will join us, and have fun in the process! 

 

-The AntsDakota Team

i would join, but I don't have discord... I need to catch a queen and enter, can I do that on this thread?...

 

I suppose you could. Lemme take it up with the rest of the Admins.

 

thanks. now I'm wondering if camponotus fragilis would be cheating, because they grow fast, but you need to catch them later in the year

also, is there a prize for winners? lol

[TennesseeAnts]

 

 

 

Hello, Formiculture!

 

We at the AntsDakota Discord server have put up an Antkeeping Contest of sorts, where we all compete for the title of Camponotus-Master. Basically, at the start of the Camponotus nuptial flight season, we each will collect several queens. We will care for those colonies to the best of our ability, and on November 25th, when the contest closes, the person with the largest colony will win the title. We are considering doing something like this every year for different common genera. The two basic rules are:

 

1. No brood boosting queens.

2. Queens must be collected fresh this nuptial flight season.

 

We're also only allowing species of the subgera (Camponotus) and (Tanaemyrmex) to level the playing-fields, as species from subgenera like (Myrmothrix) aren't found in many states, and have an insane growth rate.

 

Here's some more in-depth info. We hope you will join us, and have fun in the process! 

 

-The AntsDakota Team

i would join, but I don't have discord... I need to catch a queen and enter, can I do that on this thread?...

 

I suppose you could. Lemme take it up with the rest of the Admins.

 

thanks. now I'm wondering if camponotus fragilis would be cheating, because they grow fast, but you need to catch them later in the year

also, is there a prize for winners? lol

 

There is a prize if you're on the Discord... But yes, C. fragilis is one of the species you can't enter.

[antsandmore]

 

 

 

 

Hello, Formiculture!

 

We at the AntsDakota Discord server have put up an Antkeeping Contest of sorts, where we all compete for the title of Camponotus-Master. Basically, at the start of the Camponotus nuptial flight season, we each will collect several queens. We will care for those colonies to the best of our ability, and on November 25th, when the contest closes, the person with the largest colony will win the title. We are considering doing something like this every year for different common genera. The two basic rules are:

 

1. No brood boosting queens.

2. Queens must be collected fresh this nuptial flight season.

 

We're also only allowing species of the subgera (Camponotus) and (Tanaemyrmex) to level the playing-fields, as species from subgenera like (Myrmothrix) aren't found in many states, and have an insane growth rate.

 

Here's some more in-depth info. We hope you will join us, and have fun in the process! 

 

-The AntsDakota Team

i would join, but I don't have discord... I need to catch a queen and enter, can I do that on this thread?...

 

I suppose you could. Lemme take it up with the rest of the Admins.

 

thanks. now I'm wondering if camponotus fragilis would be cheating, because they grow fast, but you need to catch them later in the year

also, is there a prize for winners? lol

 

There is a prize if you're on the Discord... But yes, C. fragilis is one of the species you can't enter.

 

oooof. so any other species I can find?

[KitsAntVa]

yo could I enter a species like mrymentona in? most specifically camponotus subbarbatus

[Devi]

Might I suggest changing the species to Pogonomyrmex?  If we did this, then everyone would have the opportunity to play, because of the de-regulated p. occidentalis.  For some people, Camponotus are hard to find, including myself.  I rarely see any below 6,000 feet, where I am.  This might just make it easier for everyone to participate, and is just a thought.  Also, there are many other great species of Pogonomyrmex including rugosus, barbatus, and badius just to name a few.  This could be cool.    

[antsandmore]

Might I suggest changing the species to Pogonomyrmex?  If we did this, then everyone would have the opportunity to play, because of the de-regulated p. occidentalis.  For some people, Camponotus are hard to find, including myself.  I rarely see any below 6,000 feet, where I am.  This might just make it easier for everyone to participate, and is just a thought.  Also, there are many other great species of Pogonomyrmex including rugosus, barbatus, and badius just to name a few.  This could be cool.    

yes, but I think you're supposed to catch the queen, not buy. I'm pretty sure there are states that they are not native to. Unless I'm wrong. I think the point here is trying to get the most common species that many people keep, which are also easy.

[KitsAntVa]

camponotus is a wise choice since, 1. it is found in every state in the united states-Pogonomyrmex aren't and you have to buy a queen if your in the east.- camponotus are easy to find in wooded areas so i mean it makes since.

[Devi]

 

Might I suggest changing the species to Pogonomyrmex?  If we did this, then everyone would have the opportunity to play, because of the de-regulated p. occidentalis.  For some people, Camponotus are hard to find, including myself.  I rarely see any below 6,000 feet, where I am.  This might just make it easier for everyone to participate, and is just a thought.  Also, there are many other great species of Pogonomyrmex including rugosus, barbatus, and badius just to name a few.  This could be cool.    

yes, but I think you're supposed to catch the queen, not buy. I'm pretty sure there are states that they are not native to. Unless I'm wrong. I think the point here is trying to get the most common species that many people keep, which are also easy.

 

Good point; I didn't think about that...

[RushmoreAnts]

yo could I enter a species like mrymentona in? most specifically camponotus subbarbatus

I believe subgenus Myrmentoma would be fine, although polygyne is prohibited. Your colony must have 1 queen to participate.

[RushmoreAnts]

 

 

Hello, Formiculture!

 

We at the AntsDakota Discord server have put up an Antkeeping Contest of sorts, where we all compete for the title of Camponotus-Master. Basically, at the start of the Camponotus nuptial flight season, we each will collect several queens. We will care for those colonies to the best of our ability, and on November 25th, when the contest closes, the person with the largest colony will win the title. We are considering doing something like this every year for different common genera. The two basic rules are:

 

1. No brood boosting queens.

2. Queens must be collected fresh this nuptial flight season.

 

We're also only allowing species of the subgera (Camponotus) and (Tanaemyrmex) to level the playing-fields, as species from subgenera like (Myrmothrix) aren't found in many states, and have an insane growth rate.

 

Here's some more in-depth info. We hope you will join us, and have fun in the process! 

 

-The AntsDakota Team

i would join, but I don't have discord... I need to catch a queen and enter, can I do that on this thread?...

 

I suppose you could. Lemme take it up with the rest of the Admins.

Entering on this thread is perfectly acceptable. Entering on Formiculture or Discord does not give one an advantage in the competition, and does not effect the parameters of the competition.

[Antkeeper01]

i hate tetras soooo much because i can't find Camponotus or formica

[Antkeeper01]

 

Might I suggest changing the species to Pogonomyrmex?  If we did this, then everyone would have the opportunity to play, because of the de-regulated p. occidentalis.  For some people, Camponotus are hard to find, including myself.  I rarely see any below 6,000 feet, where I am.  This might just make it easier for everyone to participate, and is just a thought.  Also, there are many other great species of Pogonomyrmex including rugosus, barbatus, and badius just to name a few.  This could be cool.    

yes, but I think you're supposed to catch the queen, not buy. I'm pretty sure there are states that they are not native to. Unless I'm wrong. I think the point here is trying to get the most common species that many people keep, which are also easy.

 

Common sp my rear, I've only seen a smushed alate

[Devi]

 

 

Might I suggest changing the species to Pogonomyrmex?  If we did this, then everyone would have the opportunity to play, because of the de-regulated p. occidentalis.  For some people, Camponotus are hard to find, including myself.  I rarely see any below 6,000 feet, where I am.  This might just make it easier for everyone to participate, and is just a thought.  Also, there are many other great species of Pogonomyrmex including rugosus, barbatus, and badius just to name a few.  This could be cool.    

yes, but I think you're supposed to catch the queen, not buy. I'm pretty sure there are states that they are not native to. Unless I'm wrong. I think the point here is trying to get the most common species that many people keep, which are also easy.

 

Common sp my rear, I've only seen a smushed alate

 

I could say the same about Camponotus, smushed alate for me too. 

[RushmoreAnts]

i hate tetras soooo much because i can't find Camponotus or formica

 Formica aren't that great.

[antsandmore]

 

i hate tetras soooo much because i can't find Camponotus or formica

 Formica aren't that great.

 

tbh, If I could catch and raise a colony successfully, I have done my part and achieved a goal.

[TennesseeAnts]

 

yo could I enter a species like mrymentona in? most specifically camponotus subbarbatus

I believe subgenus Myrmentoma would be fine, although polygyne is prohibited. Your colony must have 1 queen to participate.

 

Yeah, I think we can allow Myrmentoma. 

[NickAnter]

Well, If I find a queen or two, I will enter. Also, there should be a Formica competition, if they are so impossible.

[Antkeeper01]

 

i hate tetras soooo much because i can't find Camponotus or formica

 Formica aren't that great.

 

anything that isn't tetras for me is a earth shattering find there is a established formica colony with alates down the block

Edited by Antkeeper01, January 28 2021 - 1:47 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Aight. I really want to join. I may not have enough space, though, depending on how big my mature colonies get this summer.

[NickAnter]

I'm going to try really hard to get my favorite F. perpilosa, as well as F. moki this year. My guess is the F. perpilosa will grow extremely quickly, generally being a desert ant.

Edited by NickAnter, January 28 2021 - 2:28 PM.