Greetings everyone, my name is Garrett, and i'd like to share some data I have collected on Atta texana founding rates to illustrate to other keepers some of the most ideal ways to successfully found colonies. I am currently writing a publication involving some of this data, but below is Data from some of my trials this year.
Without Fungus Boost Without Fungus Boost Without Fungus Boost Single (A) Double (
3,5©
A1 Failed
A1 Success
A1 Failed
A2 Failed
A2 Failed
A2 Failed
A3 Failed
A3 Success
A3 Success 4
A4 Success
A4 Failed
A4 Success 5
A5 Failed
A5 Failed
A5 Failed
A6 Success
A6 Failed
A6 Success 3
A7 Failed
A7 Success
A7 Failed
A8 Failed
A8 Success
A8 Success 5
A9 Failed
A9 Failed
A9 Success 3
A10 Failed
A10 Success
A10 Failed
A11 Failed
A11 Failed
A11 Success 5
A12 Failed
A12 Failed
A12 Success 5
Total
Total
Total
16.67%
41.66%
66.66%
With Fugus Boost
With Fungus Boost
WIth Fungus Boost
Single (X)
Double 
3,5 (Z)
B1 Success
B1 Success
B1 Success 5
B2 Success
B2 Failed
B2 Success 5
B3 Failed
B3 Success
B3 Success 5
B4 Success
B4 Success
B4 Success 4
B5 Failed
B5 Success
B5 Success 5
B6 Success
B6 Success
B6 Success 3
Total
Total
Total
66.66%
87.50%
100%
I grouped queens into singles, doubles and 3-5. If a queen died in a single setup it was deemed as a failed trial, if a queen died in a double or 3-5 grouping, the data remained in the group they were established in. example, in a double setup if a queen died, the data recorded would remain in the double setup column(Y) instead of moving to the single queen data.
The results are conclusive and if you have donor fungus and a large group of queens, you can most certainly establish colonies. There are many other variables that must be accounted for such as temperature and humidity, substrate and also queen size.
The larger the queen the greater her likelihood of succeeding is. Let me know if you guys have any questions!
