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PaigeX Myrmecia Chrysogaster Journal

Started By PaigeX , Nov 24 2021 1:05 AM
#australia

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28 replies to this topic

#1 Offline PaigeX - Posted November 24 2021 - 1:05 AM

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Hey all!
 
Today as I was walking around my 4 acre property following a Polyrhachis Ornata trail (that I only just found out about) and I spotted a huge ant.
I was amazed as I have not seen any big ants for many years. Like non at all. Once closer, I recognised its colour as I've seen it for sale on Queenofants.com.au
I picked it up with a container to get a closer look and saw it was a Queen!! I'm flabbergasted at the find and so happy. 
 
As a new ant keeper, I have very little experience in general so I'm starting this journal as a way to share what I encounter and any problems I might have keeping 
Myrmecia Chrysogaster.
 
I hope you enjoy this along the way and if you have any Tips on how to look after Myrmecia, it would be much appreciated!
 
The container in the pictures is what I have made myself. Made for Semi-Claustral Queens I might find in my yard... maybe a little too small for her? I'll have to make a larger one maybe.
Container has fluon around the sides but this queen does not seem to be affected by it. (not stopping her from crawling out xD)
 
 
The whole set up.
IMG_20211124_154827_3.jpg
 
Her eating the honey I put in. I added seeds just because. ( shrugs shoulders) xD
IMG_20211124_15485_2.jpg
 
Spilt seeds when getting a good picture. She stared right at me. I heard that Myrmecia have great eye sight but it still shocked me.
IMG_20211124_181217_1.jpg


Edited by PaigeX, December 11 2021 - 10:49 AM.

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Favourite Genus: Polyrhachis 

 
Journal: Main

Instagram: australian_polyrhachis

 

May God Bless you.

#2 Offline Leptomyrmx - Posted November 26 2021 - 12:55 PM

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I think this might actually be M. chrysogaster, the petiole (I think that's what it's called) and mandibles are red, they're black for M. fulvipes. Very cool find, I hear that the mandibularis species group which this ant is from isn't as aggressive as other bull ants usually.

 

EDIT: Chrysogaster isn't mandibularis group, they're pilosula group, sorry.


Edited by Leptomyrmx, November 29 2021 - 8:27 PM.

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My Ants:

Colonies: Camponotus humilior 1w, Opisthopsis rufithorax 11w, Aphaenogaster longiceps ~5w, Pheidole sp. ~235w ~15m, Iridomyrmex sp. 2q 1w, Brachyponera lutea 6w, Crematogaster sp. ~20w, Podomyrma sp. 1w

Queens: Polyrhachis cf. robinsoni, Polyrhachis (Campomyrma) sp. (likely infertile)

Previously Kept: Colobopsis gasseri, Technomyrmex sp., Rhytidoponera victorae, Nylanderia cf. rosae, Myrmecia brevinoda/forficata, Polyrhachis australis, Solenopsis/Monomorium

Key: Q = Queen, W = Worker, M = Major

Youtube Channel: Ants of Sydney - YouTube

Patreon (for YouTube channel): https://www.patreon.com/antsofsydney

#3 Offline PaigeX - Posted November 26 2021 - 3:40 PM

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I think this might actually be M. chrysogaster, the petiole (I think that's what it's called) and mandibles are red, they're black for M. fulvipes. Very cool find, I hear that the mandibularis species group which this ant is from isn't as aggressive as other bull ants usually.

Ohhh!! I think your right on that. I used www.queenofants.com.au to compare pictures. I knew she was not Myrmecia Piliventris because she has red legs but I didn't see the other one with mandibles and red node. 
I'll see if I can edit that. Thank you so much <3


Edited by PaigeX, November 26 2021 - 3:41 PM.

Favourite Genus: Polyrhachis 

 
Journal: Main

Instagram: australian_polyrhachis

 

May God Bless you.

#4 Offline PaigeX - Posted December 7 2021 - 12:21 AM

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Made a routine check up today and saw she has laid her first egg!  


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Favourite Genus: Polyrhachis 

 
Journal: Main

Instagram: australian_polyrhachis

 

May God Bless you.

#5 Offline PaigeX - Posted December 11 2021 - 3:46 AM

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Checked again today and she has 3 eggs! Now that I know she is laying more I'm going to leave her be for a while.

 

Myrmecia Chrysogaster Queen with 3 eggs.jpg


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Favourite Genus: Polyrhachis 

 
Journal: Main

Instagram: australian_polyrhachis

 

May God Bless you.

#6 Offline SYUTEO - Posted December 11 2021 - 3:49 AM

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Why haven't you changed the title? It still says it's Myrnecia fulvipes.


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Began antkeeping in 2018  :)

 

All ant journal: https://www.formicul...os-ant-journal/

#7 Offline PaigeX - Posted December 11 2021 - 4:08 AM

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Why haven't you changed the title? It still says it's Myrnecia fulvipes.

I can't find out how to edit it  :facepalm:


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Favourite Genus: Polyrhachis 

 
Journal: Main

Instagram: australian_polyrhachis

 

May God Bless you.

#8 Offline Antkeeper01 - Posted December 11 2021 - 6:45 AM

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Why haven't you changed the title? It still says it's Myrnecia fulvipes.

I can't find out how to edit it  :facepalm:

 

go back and edit the first post then there will be a button that says more options I think and then you should be able to edit the title


1X Pogonomyrmex occidentalis 40-50 Workers

1X Solenopsis molesta 10 Workers (mono)

Ants I Want: Crematogaster sp, Camponotus Sp., Ponera Pennsylvanica, Mymercocystus sp.

 

My Youtube channel: https://www.youtube....kUjx-dPFMyVqOLw

 

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#9 Offline PaigeX - Posted December 11 2021 - 10:50 AM

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Why haven't you changed the title? It still says it's Myrnecia fulvipes.

I can't find out how to edit it  :facepalm:

 

go back and edit the first post then there will be a button that says more options I think and then you should be able to edit the title

 

New button I did not see before popped up called "full editor" 
I don't think you know how much time I've looked in edit for the button or other areas on my profile. Thanks for the help!


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Favourite Genus: Polyrhachis 

 
Journal: Main

Instagram: australian_polyrhachis

 

May God Bless you.

#10 Offline antsriondel - Posted December 12 2021 - 9:22 AM

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congrats on the queen laying eggs!!!!!!! hope they thrive!!!!!! :D


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#11 Offline PaigeX - Posted December 16 2021 - 4:14 PM

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Update: She now has 6 eggs and is doing well. Always cute to look at her when I check up because she stares back at me xD


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Favourite Genus: Polyrhachis 

 
Journal: Main

Instagram: australian_polyrhachis

 

May God Bless you.

#12 Offline PaigeX - Posted December 27 2021 - 11:53 AM

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Two of the eggs have hatched! (they are so cute) Time for some protein! 

 

edit: tried to take a picture of them. not that great but here.

two eggs hatch.jpg


Edited by PaigeX, December 28 2021 - 8:41 AM.

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Favourite Genus: Polyrhachis 

 
Journal: Main

Instagram: australian_polyrhachis

 

May God Bless you.

#13 Offline PaigeX - Posted January 5 2022 - 2:19 PM

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Alrighty. She is now down to two larvae and not eggs.


Favourite Genus: Polyrhachis 

 
Journal: Main

Instagram: australian_polyrhachis

 

May God Bless you.

#14 Offline PaigeX - Posted January 13 2022 - 9:11 PM

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Update: 
She has her first cocoon! One larvae still present.

 

IMG_20220113_184940.jpg


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Favourite Genus: Polyrhachis 

 
Journal: Main

Instagram: australian_polyrhachis

 

May God Bless you.

#15 Offline Leptomyrmx - Posted January 13 2022 - 10:37 PM

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Impressive founding speed for Myrmecia.

 

(I know there's a little bit left, but still.)


Edited by Leptomyrmx, January 13 2022 - 10:37 PM.

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My Ants:

Colonies: Camponotus humilior 1w, Opisthopsis rufithorax 11w, Aphaenogaster longiceps ~5w, Pheidole sp. ~235w ~15m, Iridomyrmex sp. 2q 1w, Brachyponera lutea 6w, Crematogaster sp. ~20w, Podomyrma sp. 1w

Queens: Polyrhachis cf. robinsoni, Polyrhachis (Campomyrma) sp. (likely infertile)

Previously Kept: Colobopsis gasseri, Technomyrmex sp., Rhytidoponera victorae, Nylanderia cf. rosae, Myrmecia brevinoda/forficata, Polyrhachis australis, Solenopsis/Monomorium

Key: Q = Queen, W = Worker, M = Major

Youtube Channel: Ants of Sydney - YouTube

Patreon (for YouTube channel): https://www.patreon.com/antsofsydney

#16 Offline PaigeX - Posted February 1 2022 - 3:52 PM

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Update on this queen. Cocoon has yet to hatch and the last larvae has yet to cocoon, even though its still eating.
She has also laid 4 more eggs.


Favourite Genus: Polyrhachis 

 
Journal: Main

Instagram: australian_polyrhachis

 

May God Bless you.

#17 Offline PaigeX - Posted February 8 2022 - 10:20 AM

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Update:
Cocoon has hatched and she now has her first worker! so cute! And larvae has yet to spin.

IMG_4841.JPG


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Favourite Genus: Polyrhachis 

 
Journal: Main

Instagram: australian_polyrhachis

 

May God Bless you.

#18 Offline antsriondel - Posted February 8 2022 - 10:51 AM

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Update:
Cocoon has hatched and she now has her first worker! so cute! And larvae has yet to spin.

attachicon.gifIMG_4841.JPG

awesome!!! that is so cool!!!! :D  (y)


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#19 Offline PaigeX - Posted March 4 2022 - 1:31 AM

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Update!
Queen had two more larvae, One has cocooned in the last day and still waiting for the other one to. Looks like she will get her 2nd worker in a few weeks. yay


Edited by PaigeX, March 4 2022 - 1:33 AM.

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Favourite Genus: Polyrhachis 

 
Journal: Main

Instagram: australian_polyrhachis

 

May God Bless you.

#20 Offline JCRHJM - Posted March 4 2022 - 5:32 AM

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awesome 


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