81 replies to this topic

[dspdrew]

6-5-2015
 
I found this queen May 30th 2015 in Angelus Oaks, California. I was collecting C. laevigatus queens from giant downed trees in the forest, when later I found out one of them was C. quercicola.
 
1. Location of collection:  Angelus Oaks, California.
2. Date of collection:  6-5-2015.
3. Habitat of collection:  Pine/Oak Forest.
4. Length (from head to gaster):  16mm.
5. Color, hue, pattern and texture:  All black with brown at the tips of its legs and antennae; sparse gold hairs, numerous on cheeks; fairly dull.
6. Distinguishing characteristics:  No clypeal carina; large head; elongated eggs.
 

 

 

 
 
About three days later, this queen laid three very elongated eggs, similar to those of C. laevigatus.

[Wamdar]

wow! Great pictures. Beautiful species 

[dspdrew]

You should see C. laevigatus with their glistening white hairs.

[Jonathan21700]

Nice!

[nurbs]

You found one! I am jealous.

[dspdrew]

Yeah, now to see if I can get lucky enough to have my one and only C. quercicola queen end up a successful one. I have actually had this happen with quite a few other species, so it's not inconceivable.

[Miles]

Yeah, now to see if I can get lucky enough to have my one and only C. quercicola queen end up a successful one. I have actually had this happen with quite a few other species, so it's not inconceivable.

There's something to be said for collecting only one of a species. For some reason, it's like they know how important they are and are successful! I've definitely shared that experience.

[Myrmicinae]

 

Yeah, now to see if I can get lucky enough to have my one and only C. quercicola queen end up a successful one. I have actually had this happen with quite a few other species, so it's not inconceivable.

There's something to be said for collecting only one of a species. For some reason, it's like they know how important they are and are successful! I've definitely shared that experience.

 

 

This has actually been my experience as well.

[Jonathan21700]

 

 

Yeah, now to see if I can get lucky enough to have my one and only C. quercicola queen end up a successful one. I have actually had this happen with quite a few other species, so it's not inconceivable.

There's something to be said for collecting only one of a species. For some reason, it's like they know how important they are and are successful! I've definitely shared that experience.

 

 

This has actually been my experience as well.

 

Same here.

[nurbs]

Since this species lives in Oak trees specific to CA, I wonder how well she will thrive in a test tube. I will be following this thread with interest. 

[dspdrew]

I wonder about that with many species, but I think it's probably no different than a lot of the dirt nesting species that do just fine in a test tube or other formicarium made from a material that they don't normally nest in. Given the choice, I think a living oak tree is just what they would prefer. I could be wrong though, and there might be a reason they just won't thrive in anything else, but I doubt it.

[dspdrew]

Update 7-11-2015

My one and only C. quercicola queen is doing well so far. She just got her first worker yesterday.
 

[dspdrew]

Update 8-24-2015

This colony is up to six workers now. I'm not sure if that is slow growth or normal for this species because I have never had them before, and haven't ever known anyone else who has. There hasn't been any deaths so that is good. They've been fairly inactive, just huddled together most of the time. They also have kept their test tube very clean.

[dspdrew]

Update 9-16-2015

Colony's up to eight workers now, with another just around the corner.

[dermy]

I think it's rather normal for most Camponotus species to have very slow growth. Especially in the First year. Hopefully things pick up next year.

[James C. Trager]

Is that a median concavity I see on the clypeal margin? You know what that means...

[dspdrew]

Are you talking about a clypeal notch? What picture do you see this in? This queen is huge.

[Gregory2455]

Is that a median concavity I see on the clypeal margin? You know what that means...

What does that mean? I mean I have an idea but I am not sure.

[dspdrew]

Update 1-17-2016
 
The colony has seven workers now.
 
A couple days ago I put them into hibernation in my new "hibernation cabinet".
 

[dspdrew]

Update 4-28-2016
 
I just took this colony out of hibernation yesterday. There's only four workers left now, so hopefully she lays some eggs soon.

 

They didn't seem interested in crickets when they first warmed up, but they did drink quite a bit of Sunburst Ant Nectar. I gave them a little piece of a cricket today and they did feed on it.

 

I'm keeping these, along with all the other Camponotus found up in the mountains in another area of my apartment where it's usually about 80 degrees instead of the room where it's always over 90. I think this will probably be better for them.