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AntsAlberta's Journal (Species named in each post)

Started By AntsAlberta , Oct 8 2020 8:18 AM

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48 replies to this topic

#21 Offline AntsAlberta - Posted October 26 2020 - 8:00 AM

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basically yeah that's what i just did with my Pogonomyrmex, they are probably gonna grow fast with 5 queens you should get a bigger nest soon. They really favor mini hearths from THA for some reason but no other nests from him.

Well it is Canada here, I'm currently seeing if i can convince them to skip hibernation. I think they are skipping since they are eating the crickets like crazy. right now they have no brood due to shipping and time of year.


#22 Offline KitsAntVa - Posted October 26 2020 - 8:06 AM

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If you have them on heat or in a heated room and they lay eggs then yea they don't need hibernation.


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We don’t talk about that

#23 Offline AntsAlberta - Posted October 26 2020 - 8:09 AM

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It sits at a nice 22-24C in this room. Too broke to get a heating matt atm lol.


Edited by AntsAlberta, October 26 2020 - 8:09 AM.

#24 Offline KitsAntVa - Posted October 26 2020 - 8:11 AM

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I understand, you shouldn't need a cable or mat anyway unless you have a desert ant.


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We don’t talk about that

#25 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted October 26 2020 - 8:27 AM

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yes, it is not too big of a problem. it will help them explode in growth, if that is what you want.


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Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My Nationwide Ant Shop Here I have PPQ-526 permits to ship ants nationwide

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

My Formica sp. Journal

My Lasius sp. Journal

My Micro Ants Journal

My Pogonomyrmex occidentalis Journal

#26 Offline AntsAlberta - Posted October 26 2020 - 8:28 AM

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Ill likely give them a heated setup in the future, just now I'm learning slowly :)


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#27 Offline AntsAlberta - Posted November 1 2020 - 12:26 PM

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I got a new macro lens!

 

Will begin taking pictures but was busy today so just set it up to stream a Myrmica Rubra nest. Willing to test these things on them as they are invasive in Canada.

Just got my Solenopsis Molesta, Will be taking pictures this evening I believe and posting them :) 5 queens.

 

https://www.youtube....HzGeEVHT3SC4kw?


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#28 Offline AntsAlberta - Posted November 1 2020 - 9:11 PM

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As promised,

 

Still learning good positions for camera etc. If I hold it with my hand it is too blurry so I must take pics with the aid of a little tripod.

Let me know what yall think! the stream came out a little better quality than the pics interestingly.

The first two pics are of Solenopis Molesta, and the other 4 are Myrmica Rubra.

 

DSC00017.JPG

DSC00017 (2).JPG

DSC00026.JPG

DSC00036.JPG

DSC00059.JPG

DSC00062.JPG


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#29 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted November 2 2020 - 7:59 AM

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nice! macro lenses are the way to go unless you want to pay big bucks!


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My Nationwide Ant Shop Here I have PPQ-526 permits to ship ants nationwide

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

My Formica sp. Journal

My Lasius sp. Journal

My Micro Ants Journal

My Pogonomyrmex occidentalis Journal

#30 Offline AntsAlberta - Posted November 2 2020 - 8:26 AM

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Using a sony a6000 camera and a macro lense from 7artisans. was 200 cad on amazon

 

Just confirmed this morning, Myrmica Rubra are laying eggs! They said screw winter lets just get to work :)


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#31 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted November 2 2020 - 8:29 AM

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Using a sony a6000 camera and a macro lense from 7artisans. was 200 cad on amazon

 

Just confirmed this morning, Myrmica Rubra are laying eggs! They said screw winter lets just get to work :)

oh. my bad. i guess i assumed you were using a cheap macro lense. sorry about that.


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My Nationwide Ant Shop Here I have PPQ-526 permits to ship ants nationwide

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

My Formica sp. Journal

My Lasius sp. Journal

My Micro Ants Journal

My Pogonomyrmex occidentalis Journal

#32 Offline AntsAlberta - Posted November 2 2020 - 8:33 AM

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Using a sony a6000 camera and a macro lense from 7artisans. was 200 cad on amazon

 

Just confirmed this morning, Myrmica Rubra are laying eggs! They said screw winter lets just get to work :)

oh. my bad. i guess i assumed you were using a cheap macro lense. sorry about that.

 

Its ok, my pictures arent amazing and does look like a phone macro camera lolz


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#33 Offline AntsAlberta - Posted November 3 2020 - 7:09 PM

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The myrmica Rubra and Solenopsis Molesta are officially laying eggs. Yay!

Also got Formica Subnitens who love heat. Will get some pics and updates on them soon.


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#34 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted November 4 2020 - 10:17 AM

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cool species of formica!


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Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My Nationwide Ant Shop Here I have PPQ-526 permits to ship ants nationwide

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

My Formica sp. Journal

My Lasius sp. Journal

My Micro Ants Journal

My Pogonomyrmex occidentalis Journal

#35 Offline AntsAlberta - Posted November 14 2020 - 7:24 PM

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Hello, here are some pictures of my species not in hibernation right meow. Let me know if you have any advice on getting better pictures. Lighting etc.

 

Myrmica Rubra Nest has a huge clutch of eggs! over 1 week.

 

 

DSC00099.JPG DSC00098.JPG

 

Got some shots of the Solenopsis Molesta Queens, Still newbie with camera

DSC00091.JPG DSC00096.JPG DSC00094.JPG

 

And finally some shots of my new Formica Subnitens,  a parasitic species that loves the desert.

 DSC00090.JPG DSC00089.JPG DSC00088.JPG DSC00087.JPG DSC00084.JPG


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#36 Offline ANTdrew - Posted November 15 2020 - 4:14 AM

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Those photos are pretty good. I think you just need more lighting. If you can get some sunlight in from a window, that would help.
Read this:
https://www.formicul...s/?fromsearch=1
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#37 Offline NickAnter - Posted November 15 2020 - 7:35 AM

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A flashlight positioned at a 45 degree angle to the camera is generally quite good for taking photos in test tubes. Sunlight though, is most definitely the best IMO.


Edited by NickAnter, November 15 2020 - 7:35 AM.

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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). 

#38 Offline AntsAlberta - Posted November 15 2020 - 9:39 PM

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Doing some more photography today. I found something terrible. MITES around my Solenopsis molesta queens.

DSC00102.JPG DSC00105.JPG DSC00106.JPG DSC00113.JPG

 

 

 

I have moved them to a new tube, will check in 1-2 weeks for mites again

 


#39 Offline AleeGuy - Posted November 16 2020 - 8:28 AM

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Did you checked under the gaster?
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#40 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted November 16 2020 - 8:41 AM

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Doing some more photography today. I found something terrible. MITES around my Solenopsis molesta queens.

attachicon.gifDSC00102.JPGattachicon.gifDSC00105.JPGattachicon.gifDSC00106.JPGattachicon.gifDSC00113.JPG

 

 

 

I have moved them to a new tube, will check in 1-2 weeks for mites again

look like harmless mites to me, as they are not feeding on the ants.


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My Nationwide Ant Shop Here I have PPQ-526 permits to ship ants nationwide

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

My Formica sp. Journal

My Lasius sp. Journal

My Micro Ants Journal

My Pogonomyrmex occidentalis Journal

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