113 replies to this topic

[mantisgal]

Science Outpost captives were returned to the nest from whence they were kidnapped. Many re-entered the nest, a few ran off. Boys were evident at the nest, they might fly today: was cool and rainy yesterday, sunny today. My reasons for their release I have already stated. Mainly I realized I had a full plate of delicious Science to keep me occupied until I get more supplies in-house.

 

I continue to resist the urge to peek at my claustrals. I AM STRONG. I AM THE RESISTY.

Edited by mantisgal, April 19 2021 - 7:30 AM.

[mantisgal]

Yesterday after releasing the Science Outpost, I was rewarded with a fertilized Queen on my doorstep. Hurrah! As it's been over a week since the other Ladies were ensconced in their chambers, I made a new chamber for her in the Bower.

 

Today I Peeked.

 

Lil Miss Lonely has spent the week pulling at her cotton, and a great job of it she did: she was a third of the way through the ball!. She was clearly unhappy so I released her at the entrance of her local nest. After some circling she went inside. I wish her good journey. Perhaps she will be in the next flight.

 

Wing & Wingless have about 6-8 eggs in a clutch, I am hopeful for them. Prenny Lane still has eggs and may have laid fresh ones. Yesterday's catch is settling in to her chamber nicely. Will try to resist until Saturday

[Antcatcherpro3]

Nice! It is okay to look once in a while, but limit it to at least once every week. No more.

[mantisgal]

I checked everyone on Saturday. EVERYONE HAS EGGS.

VERY EXCITING.

added a fertile Quartet during last week, they look good

[mantisgal]

Peeked yesterday, the solo Queen was carrying her eggs around, very cute 😍

[mantisgal]

Sorry for long absence. No one is dead, down to 5 queens thru networking. Prenny Lane (a duo) and a trio I'm calling The Imp'risarios.

Trio looks like they may have their first worker soon, which is funny because Prenny Lane started laying first. Am thinking they may be estivating because movement is slow. I HAVE VIDEO. lemme cut out some of the lame bits first or you just want the raw footage?

Edited by mantisgal, July 3 2021 - 5:17 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Woah! You’re back!

[mantisgal]

S U R P R I S E
I just had no good updates except for "ugh, still nothing" so I kinda drifted. Now that Something Appears To Be Happening, I am back, with more thrilling installments of Prenny Lane and the Imp'risarios

[mantisgal]

As of yesterday The Imp'risarios have 2 nanitics! Both nest tubes got a teensy droplet of pure honey.

K, now I need advice. I'd like them to move house into a cleaner place, now that there are workers should I offer them a new space? Or should I wait til the kids start pulling at their exit plug? The water is still clear but the cotton is black

[Kaelwizard]

Put their test tube in a small container with another test tube and wait. Bonus: you wouldn’t have to feed them in the tube.

[mantisgal]

Oh that is a good idea. I have an Apartment/honeycell nest chamber from Por Amor Ant, can I offer them that? Or just stick with the test tube set-ups? Do I leave both tubes open or use tubing to connect them?

I am truly grateful for all your help and advice, I am so excited I could scream and I feel like if I look at the Imp'risarios now there will be more nanitics because last night there were so many eyes!

I was too excited to type out the tale, but now I have enough sense to do so:
When I saw the first pale motion, I focused in closer and saw A Full Nanitic trying to put her newly drying legs in order (ugh, so kawaii, ded utterly).

But my friends, it got even cuter.

As I peered furiously into the tube, I noticed the First Baby making a repetitive motion to her side. Even while she herself was drying, she was helping a sister stretch out, welcoming her as she struggled into her final form. I then noticed many dark little eyes in the brood pile, and I knew it was about to get W I L D in there. More soon, will be hovering for your updated advices ❤

Edited by mantisgal, July 11 2021 - 3:04 PM.

[AntBoi3030]

Congrats, mine just got her first workers too and they filled the queen up like a balloon!

Attached Images

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[mantisgal]

😍

[AntBoi3030]

I can’t wait for them to get repleates

[mantisgal]

Me neither!

Folks who have grout nests with capillary water chambers that are reading this, I have a question:
Is a flaky white residue normal? Will it savage my girls? How often do you refill a small nest (mebbe 2.5" total length including reservoir). I am trying to hydrate a nest in preparation for either team of Queens to move into and I'd like to be sure I'm doing no harm. I am using filtered but not distilled water.

[mantisgal]

Prenny Lane's first nanitic eclosed! From the colour, probably happened yesterday!

[Antkeeper01]

yay!!

[mantisgal]

IMP'RISARIOS HAVE 2 REPLETES AND COUNTING

[mantisgal]

Prenny Lane is dead. Long live Prenny Lane. They had, um, an accident. Yes. A terrible sad accident.

Btw when your queens are drowning and sending their nanitics to die by digging into their water-keeper they may not be smart, so don't just tap them out into a mini-outworld and pray. They are dumb. They will die.

The Imp'risarios are up to a couple dozen workers I think or will be soon as one to three new larva eclose daily. They have eaten a housefly and 2 fruitflies and keep their replete sweeties swollen with honey. There are at least one per Queen. I have given them a small garden slug to see what happens.

I totally forgot but I think I've caught a Camponotus queen but she looks wee, maybe I caught a Tetra? She is very black and was running away across my inflatable pool amongst a pile of reddish males with very skinny gasters busy dying. Anyways I tubed her up and totally forgot about her as is only proper. Looked in today and I think I saw her over an egg pile. I'll check under a red lamp later.

Edited by mantisgal, August 4 2021 - 3:53 PM.

[AntBoi3030]

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