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Kael's Prenolepis imparis Journal

Started By Kaelwizard , Apr 9 2021 12:25 PM
prenolepis imparis ant keeping journal winter ants

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18 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted April 9 2021 - 12:25 PM

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Introduction:

 

Like a lot of antkeepers right now, I have also caught some Prenolepis imparis queens. I currently have 7 or 8, but some of them could be infertile. Some have dropped their wings, but still have not laid eggs, while others act like they are waiting to fly. They are all being housed in a THA Mini-Hearth as of right now. I don't have any spare test tubes (my THA tubes broke, and my one crappy plastic one is being used for a Myrmica queen I found foraging), so I worked with what I had. 

 

Photos:

 

IMG_1197 (2).JPG IMG_1188 (2).JPG IMG_1210 (2).JPG


Edited by Kaelwizard, April 13 2021 - 6:54 AM.

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#2 Offline mantisgal - Posted April 12 2021 - 7:21 AM

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They are very pretty, i hope they do well for you


#3 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted April 12 2021 - 7:34 AM

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They are very pretty, i hope they do well for you

Thanks and good luck with yours.
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#4 Offline Antcatcherpro3 - Posted April 12 2021 - 7:37 AM

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Good luck! Everyone right now is catching Prenolepis queens. If they don't lay for a week or so, it's no big deal. Mine didn't lay for a week and a half, then all of my queens laid....


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#5 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted April 12 2021 - 8:56 AM

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Good luck! Everyone right now is catching Prenolepis queens. If they don't lay for a week or so, it's no big deal. Mine didn't lay for a week and a half, then all of my queens laid....

Yeah I'm guessing mine will take that long too. My individual queen 2 years ago laid eggs in a day or 2, though.


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#6 Offline Antcatcherpro3 - Posted April 12 2021 - 9:02 AM

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If they don't lay in like a day or two, then they probably will in another week or so.


#7 Offline Bobby_Hill - Posted April 12 2021 - 9:16 AM

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I wish I could of found some!


#8 Offline Antcatcherpro3 - Posted April 12 2021 - 10:23 AM

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What state do you live in?

 

I wish I could of found some!


#9 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted April 15 2021 - 9:26 AM

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Update 1:

 

The queens have now laid some eggs, albeit not as much as I expected, though I am sure there are more to come. It's always fun to see the queen's interactions with each other. These are probably the most friendly queens I have seen (to each other, not to me). Not much else to say other than that the next update will be when they have larvae.


Edited by Kaelwizard, April 15 2021 - 9:26 AM.

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#10 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted April 27 2021 - 9:05 AM

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Update 2:

 

Well I'm pretty sure there are some miniscule larvae in there, as I saw an "egg" that was completely curved and it seemed more, what's the word? Developed. I can get pictures some time today as I haven't shown any pictures of them after they laid eggs. I believe more queens have removed their wings as well, but I'm not certain. They just leave them everywhere. I was hoping they would put them in a pile in the corner or something but I guess they prefer littering.


Edited by Kaelwizard, April 29 2021 - 5:13 AM.

#11 Offline Antcatcherpro3 - Posted April 27 2021 - 10:03 AM

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already larvea? I must have lots of larvea also. Miniscale larvea.


#12 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted April 27 2021 - 10:34 AM

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already larvea? I must have lots of larvea also. Miniscale larvea.

On AKE I was told I wouldn't get workers for 3 months so if I do have larvae then I expect they will take forever to pupate and eclose.


Edited by Kaelwizard, April 27 2021 - 10:34 AM.

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#13 Offline ZTYguy - Posted April 27 2021 - 12:22 PM

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Hoping it doesn’t take too long!


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Currently: Considering moving to Australia
Reason: Myrmecia

#14 Offline Bobby_Hill - Posted April 29 2021 - 5:12 AM

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What state do you live in?


I wish I could of found some!

Florida

#15 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted May 3 2021 - 5:38 AM

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Update 3:

 

Figured I would update it since it looks like the brood pile has grown and one of the queens died (thankfully one of the ones who didn't seem to be fertile). It looks like her abdomen was torn up and eaten a little so at least she contributed somehow.

 

Photos:

 

I'm pretty sure I was mistaken in my last post about miniscule larvae. Not the best picture, but you get a nice view of the brood pile.

IMG_1212 (2).JPG


Edited by Kaelwizard, May 4 2021 - 6:32 AM.

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#16 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted May 4 2021 - 6:33 AM

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Added photos.


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#17 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted June 2 2021 - 3:03 PM

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This journal will no longer be updated. Some queens have died and because I am moving in July, these girls will probably be euthanized.


Edited by Kaelwizard, June 2 2021 - 3:04 PM.

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#18 Offline NickAnter - Posted June 2 2021 - 3:30 PM

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Why not just sell them?


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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). 

#19 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted June 3 2021 - 4:48 AM

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Why not just sell them?

It isn't really up to me (I'm still a minor). I don't actually know (actually know as in know outside of FC and Discord) any antkeepers in MI.


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