79 replies to this topic

[SYUTEO]

Ya I guess so. The first major should be eclosing soon tho!

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Wow, they're growing so fast! I should also mention that they will start producing smaller workers soon (I guess they are called minima workers) don't be surprised that they produce more majors than minors or minima workers, this is normal for this species.

[ANTS_KL]

Ya I guess so. The first major should be eclosing soon tho!

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Wow, they're growing so fast! I should also mention that they will start producing smaller workers soon (I guess they are called minima workers) don't be surprised that they produce more majors than minors or minima workers, this is normal for this species.

Yep! Minors eclose 1 month after the first major.

Edited by ANTS_KL, June 1 2021 - 3:23 AM.

[ANTS_KL]

Weavers killing mealworm and pics of the colony.

[Kaelwizard]

I remember these being my favorite ants when I was little. 

[SYUTEO]

Yesterday I caught one too! I found her on a small tree in my garden and she already has eggs. Currently, she is in a small plastic box with some wet tissue papers and the original leaves she came in, any tips for raising her? I've had many failed attempts in the past.

[ANTS_KL]

Yesterday I caught one too! I found her on a small tree in my garden and she already has eggs. Currently, she is in a small plastic box with some wet tissue papers and the original leaves she came in, any tips for raising her? I've had many failed attempts in the past.

I'll post a small bit of tips tmrw. Oh and btw eggs hatch in 4 days. Larvae take around a week to pupate. Pupa take 24 days to eclose. Pretty fast

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Edited by ANTS_KL, June 3 2021 - 5:14 AM.

[SYUTEO]

 

Yesterday I caught one too! I found her on a small tree in my garden and she already has eggs. Currently, she is in a small plastic box with some wet tissue papers and the original leaves she came in, any tips for raising her? I've had many failed attempts in the past.

I'll post a small bit of tips tmrw. Oh and btw eggs hatch in 4 days. Larvae take around a week to pupate. Pupa take 24 days to eclose. Pretty fast

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Ok, thanks!

[ANTS_KL]

Ok here are some tips to raise a weaver ant queen through founding. So you want a clean container with wet paper towels at the bottom. Make sure to add air holes! After done setting up, just add the queen in and that's all you will need actually. Pics provided on the finished setup. This is byfar the most successful method for me. Hope this helps!

After around 5 workers eclosed, open the lid and move them into a naturalistic setup. It is okay if you damage the silken tent as in the wild the silk tents are broken anyway. After opening the lid, place the container in the setup. They will move out eventually. Alternatively, you could use the setup that Indonesians use to breed them as food. Essentially a plastic bottle (or a few) suspended from a stick.

That's all I have to provide.

 

Btw update, major coming real soon! Can't wait!!!

Edited by ANTS_KL, June 3 2021 - 6:07 PM.

[SYUTEO]

Thanks!

[ashley1505]

Hi Ants KL, I found your post about keeping weaver brood so it's very helpful! How are they doing so far?

[ashley1505]

Can I know how frequently you added water in the plastic container? Did u provide sugar water or live insects to queen during founding stage?
Can I know how frequently you added water in the plastic container? Did u provide sugar water or live insects to queen during founding stage?

[ANTS_KL]

Can I know how frequently you added water in the plastic container? Did u provide sugar water or live insects to queen during founding stage?
Can I know how frequently you added water in the plastic container? Did u provide sugar water or live insects to queen during founding stage?

I did not provide any sustenance to the queen. Before she founded I placed a drop of honey on the wall of the container. She happily drank it up. Throughout the founding stage I added water only twice after she was placed in. When I saw she started weaving, I halted the addition of water. Hope I could help!

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[ashley1505]

I took a peek at the queen today and she's kind of still walking all over the container, no eggs sighted. Any idea why? She's kept in a dark place. How long before she will settle down n lay eggs? Her wings were already gone when we found her.

[ANTS_KL]

I took a peek at the queen today and she's kind of still walking all over the container, no eggs sighted. Any idea why? She's kept in a dark place. How long before she will settle down n lay eggs? Her wings were already gone when we found her.

There's what's wrong. They can't found in the dark from my experience. You can shine them under bright lights and leave them in the light and they won't care. They typically found under leaves therefore being totally used to light.

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[ashley1505]

Oic ok, where did you place yours? In a quiet place? Should I place her near my plants though the West sun will be pretty hot

Edited by ashley1505, June 28 2021 - 5:44 AM.

[ANTS_KL]

Oic ok, where did you place yours? In a quiet place? Should I place her near my plants though the West sun will be pretty hot

I just put her on my desk so I could watch her while doing my homework. Honestly she wouldn't care no matter how much you observe her.

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[ashley1505]

The ant shop and museum folks here tell us that queens r super sensitive at this stage so best to leave them alone n in the dark, just check every 4 to 5 days max so we were cautious. But this may not apply to weavers completely I guess.. Our current queen was pretty restless in the day and looked like she's trying to find a way out so I placed some rolled leaves in and she went inside immediately, hopefully she feels more settled now and start laying eggs. She seems to freeze when we look at her, feels like she's looking right back.. Lol..think we have done what we can to let her feel comfy... fingers crossed from now.

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[ANTS_KL]

The ant shop and museum folks here tell us that queens r super sensitive at this stage so best to leave them alone n in the dark, just check every 4 to 5 days max so we were cautious. But this may not apply to weavers completely I guess.. Our current queen was pretty restless in the day and looked like she's trying to find a way out so I placed some rolled leaves in and she went inside immediately, hopefully she feels more settled now and start laying eggs. She seems to freeze when we look at her, feels like she's looking right back.. Lol..think we have done what we can to let her feel comfy... fingers crossed from now.

She does look at you. She thinks you are a predator. But that's normal. Perfect setup. Just leave her where she is and don't cover her.

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[ashley1505]

I took a peek at her today, she doesn't seem to have laid any eggs in the leaf. Sad

[ANTS_KL]

I took a peek at her today, she doesn't seem to have laid any eggs in the leaf. Sad

It's ok it will take a while for her to get settled
Also try adding some wet tissue papers to the bottom. Like cover the whole bottom. That will give her humidity which may be the reason she isn't laying

Edited by ANTS_KL, July 1 2021 - 5:47 PM.