166 replies to this topic

[Subverted]

1. 10mm is a good size for seeing chamber formation as a cross section which was my real intent for that design. If anything it could have been a little bit thicker.
2. Its just dirt from Pogonomyrmex habitat, nothing too special. don't overthink it.
3. 10in long, 8in tall. I think that size is perfect for founding queens up to probably 200 workers, maybe more. My colony might outgrow this nest before the end of the summer.
4. There is a bit of bowing that I caused by putting in substrate a little too aggressively. I think the glass is 1/8".
5. Same as the first ones. Glass panes with acrylic on the sides.

Glad you have enjoyed my photos

[Subverted]

Big queen from last night. Really hoping this is Camponotus ocreatus!!!

 

 

 

Then there is this nice little Pheidole I found:

 

 

And finally a tiny Temnothorax that tore off its wings overnight:

 

[PTAntFan]

HUGE!

[nurbs]

Big queen from last night. Really hoping this is Camponotus ocreatus!!!

 

 

 

 

Nice! Are you guys sure that is ocreatus?

 

According to antwiki "Majors, minors and females can be recognized by having no erect hairs on the cheeks or sides of the head" and I see some clearly erect hairs on this one's head.

 

http://www.antwiki.o...onotus_ocreatus

 

What else could they possibly be? I was in Orange County yesterday for a job and dropped by Trabuco Canyon at night and found some of these majors. They look somewhat similar to C. sansabeanus. Their legs are "leggier" and they are darker.

 

Anyways, great find! I am jealous   

Edited by nurbs, June 7 2016 - 3:38 PM.

[Subverted]

The majors I have collected out there do not have any hairs on the sides of their heads? This is one that was on the road the same night as I found the queen: 

 

 

I cannot imagine what these would be other than C. ocreatus.

[PTAntFan]

How many did you get?

[Subverted]

I found 1 queen and I think Drew grabbed 4 (plus one he had from the night before).

[nurbs]

The majors I have collected out there do not have any hairs on the sides of their heads? This is one that was on the road the same night as I found the queen: 

 

 

I cannot imagine what these would be other than C. ocreatus.

 

That does look like it! How large is your queen?

[dspdrew]

Nice! Are you guys sure that is ocreatus?

 

According to antwiki "Majors, minors and females can be recognized by having no erect hairs on the cheeks or sides of the head" and I see some clearly erect hairs on this one's head.

 

I think they can have up to four hairs or so. Not always exactly none. This is according to the Camponotus key I use.

 

 

I found 1 queen and I think Drew grabbed 4 (plus one he had from the night before).

 

All of mine are dead now.

[drtrmiller]

 

I found 1 queen and I think Drew grabbed 4 (plus one he had from the night before).

 
All of mine are dead now.

 

Some ant whisperer you are.

[dspdrew]

 

 

I found 1 queen and I think Drew grabbed 4 (plus one he had from the night before).

 
All of mine are dead now.

 

Some ant whisperer you are.

 

 

Unfortunately they weren't fertile.

[NightsWebs]

Bummer!

[Subverted]

Mine is still alive...but it has not shown any signs of wanting to remove its wings.

[nurbs]

 

 

 

I found 1 queen and I think Drew grabbed 4 (plus one he had from the night before).

 
All of mine are dead now.

 

Some ant whisperer you are.

 

 

Unfortunately they weren't fertile.

 

 

That sucks. Was hoping to follow your journal on those.

[Subverted]

One giant egg has made an appearance!

 

[PTAntFan]

So cool!

[dspdrew]

Lucky, lucky you. I'm more and more confident these alates belong to those huge Camponotus.

[Subverted]

Took a bit of video after giving my P. californicus an absolutely disgusting cricket some other ants were ignoring...

 

[JWRay]

Cool video.  Looks like they have a less refined palate than your other ants!

 

How big is this colony?

[Subverted]

I have not done an exact count but I am estimating somewhere around 300 ants with a lot of growth going on.