7 replies to this topic

[Skwiggledork]

I caught a couple queens in the last couple days. I think a combination of Tetramorium, Monomorium and Temnothorax, but I'm lazy right now, so don't want to ID them and make separate journals. Especially with the mortality rate of Monomorium queens.

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[Kaelwizard]

The pictured queens are Tetramorium and Myrmica. The fat ones are all Tetramorium and the skinny ones are Myrmica.

Edited by Kaelwizard, June 28 2021 - 6:40 AM.

[ANTdrew]

Monomorium minimum are jet black and super shiny, basically the shiniest queens around. They are also a lot bigger than you'd expect for such a tiny species.

[Skwiggledork]

Man, My ID skills are way worse than I thought. lol

[Antkeeper01]

Monomorium minimum are jet black and super shiny, basically the shiniest queens around. They are also a lot bigger than you'd expect for such a tiny species.

well... formica are shinier i think(edit well some are)

Edited by Antkeeper01, June 28 2021 - 9:01 AM.

[Kaelwizard]

I’m sure you know this but just in case you don’t, the Myrmica queens need to be fed. Feeding small amounts of food regularly is probably the best method.

[Skwiggledork]

Most of the Tetras have died. I have one of the winged ones and one wingless. No eggs on the winged one, but the other has pupa larva and a bunch of eggs. She made a little hidey hole, but I see her shuffling them around a bit.

 

The Myrmica has brood, but so far I don't think they are developing.

 

[Skwiggledork]

Tetra is up to one worker.

 

I think the Myrmica is infertile unfortunately. decent batch of eggs, but it's been a minute with no larva. She has constant access to a tiny amount of honey and a fresh mealworm chunk, that I keep refreshing, so I don't think it's cannibalism.