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Workers Dying; Need Help!

species ants

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#1 Offline antsriondel - Posted July 26 2021 - 11:44 AM

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I need to know about this ant species I have no idea what species it is. I live on Kootenay Lake in British Columbia Canada and this colony has all of a sudden begun losing workers. The workers are only 2 weeks old and as you can see they have moved into their outworld.  If you could help me identify this species that would be great! Thank you!

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Edited by antsriondel, November 29 2022 - 6:56 PM.

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#2 Offline AntsMaryland - Posted July 26 2021 - 11:54 AM

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Are they being hydrated? What are you feeding them?


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Aphaenogaster cf. rudis 

Tetramorium immigrans 

Tapinoma sessile

Formica subsericea

Pheidole sp.

Camponotus nearcticus


#3 Offline TestSubjectOne - Posted July 26 2021 - 12:13 PM

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I doubt anyone will be able to give you an accurate identification without a better picture. If you could get one of the queen's whole body, and shine sunlight directly on the ants, that would help. That said, from the large initial batch of workers and size difference between queen and workers I would guess that they are Liometopum and therefore Liometopum luctosum, the only species of the genus in British Columbia. If they do not already have food, water and a sugar source like honey or sugar water then I would suggest giving them that immediately. Any liquids you feed them should be soaked into cotton to keep the ants from drowning.


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TestSubjectOne's Experiences in Antkeeping General Journal

 

Currently Keeping:

- Veromessor pergandei (1 queen, 600 workers)

- Novomessor cockerelli (1 queen, 200 workers)

- Myrmecocystus mexicanus (1 queen, 100 workers)

- Brachymyrmex patagonicus (3 queens?, 2,000 workers? & alates)

- Crematogaster sp. (1 queen, 600 workers)

- Liometopum occidentale (1 queen, 800 workers)

- Camponotus absqualator (1 queen, 130 workers)


#4 Offline futurebird - Posted July 26 2021 - 12:23 PM

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If they have moved into the outworld ask yourself: How is the outworld different from their test tube? If the tube is more moist or less moist that could be it. If there is mold in the tube that could be it. 

Offer them a fresh tube keeping in mind what they have shown you about what they need by fleeing the tube. 


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Starting this July I'm posting videos of my ants every week on youTube.

I like to make relaxing videos that capture the joy of watching ants.

If that sounds like your kind of thing... follow me >here<


#5 Offline antsriondel - Posted July 26 2021 - 3:14 PM

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ok. I have been feeding them honey, maple/apple syrup and I have replaced their old tube yesterday. also I think you are right about the species but I also wonder why they have a  different coloration. thanks for the info


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#6 Offline antsriondel - Posted July 26 2021 - 3:55 PM

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here is a better picture;

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#7 Offline TestSubjectOne - Posted July 26 2021 - 4:11 PM

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The queen's body structure looks like Liometopum as well, so go with that. They grow quickly but need a lot of protein, water and sugar. I'd suggest that you get your colony insects and make sure they have constant access to sugars.


Edited by TestSubjectOne, July 26 2021 - 4:11 PM.

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TestSubjectOne's Experiences in Antkeeping General Journal

 

Currently Keeping:

- Veromessor pergandei (1 queen, 600 workers)

- Novomessor cockerelli (1 queen, 200 workers)

- Myrmecocystus mexicanus (1 queen, 100 workers)

- Brachymyrmex patagonicus (3 queens?, 2,000 workers? & alates)

- Crematogaster sp. (1 queen, 600 workers)

- Liometopum occidentale (1 queen, 800 workers)

- Camponotus absqualator (1 queen, 130 workers)


#8 Offline antsriondel - Posted July 26 2021 - 4:18 PM

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ok thanks :D



#9 Offline antsriondel - Posted July 26 2021 - 5:04 PM

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also how often do I feed them? every 2 days? every 4 days?



#10 Offline TestSubjectOne - Posted July 26 2021 - 9:37 PM

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You should adjust your feedings based on their needs. More frequent feeding is better, but takes effort. I feed each colony of mine weekly, with more or less food based on their size.  With this genus you can expect them to grow quickly as long as they have access to a lot of food, so keep that in mind if you want to limit them or quickly get a large colony.


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TestSubjectOne's Experiences in Antkeeping General Journal

 

Currently Keeping:

- Veromessor pergandei (1 queen, 600 workers)

- Novomessor cockerelli (1 queen, 200 workers)

- Myrmecocystus mexicanus (1 queen, 100 workers)

- Brachymyrmex patagonicus (3 queens?, 2,000 workers? & alates)

- Crematogaster sp. (1 queen, 600 workers)

- Liometopum occidentale (1 queen, 800 workers)

- Camponotus absqualator (1 queen, 130 workers)


#11 Offline ANTdrew - Posted July 27 2021 - 3:02 AM

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They need protein, too!
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#12 Offline antsriondel - Posted July 27 2021 - 6:24 AM

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I want them to grow fast because this is right now my biggest ant colony so should I feed them every 2-3 days??? oh and last night I fed them their first bit of protein; a spider leg



#13 Offline AntsMaryland - Posted July 27 2021 - 6:49 AM

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feed them as much as you can (small amounts consistently) and judge the frequency they accept that food – adjust your frequency and intensity of feedings based off that.


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Aphaenogaster cf. rudis 

Tetramorium immigrans 

Tapinoma sessile

Formica subsericea

Pheidole sp.

Camponotus nearcticus


#14 Offline antsriondel - Posted July 27 2021 - 6:51 AM

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Ok.  I'll feed them again today and see how they accept the food.  Thank you!


Edited by antsriondel, July 27 2021 - 7:12 AM.


#15 Offline ANTdrew - Posted July 27 2021 - 3:56 PM

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A spider leg is not enough unless it’s a massive species. Give them the whole thing for Pete’s sake.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#16 Offline antsriondel - Posted July 30 2021 - 11:09 AM

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my ants are doing better they are more active and have started to explore the test tube. thanks for all your guys help!!!



#17 Offline antsriondel - Posted August 1 2021 - 3:16 PM

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my ants have moved into their test tube if you want a picture just tell me and I will do it. thanks for all your help!! (y)



#18 Offline antsriondel - Posted August 8 2021 - 6:40 PM

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my ants lost another worker yet I've been feeding them constantly. please help me identify what is wrong. thanks


Edited by antsriondel, August 8 2021 - 6:41 PM.


#19 Offline Aidanthielman - Posted August 11 2021 - 2:42 PM

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Ants are just tricky. Especially that species. Keep them feed and hydrated and they will hopefully bounce back.

#20 Offline TestSubjectOne - Posted August 11 2021 - 3:15 PM

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If you aren't already, they should have constant access to sugars in their outworld. With this genus especially it is vital that they are allowed to constantly have access to sugar and water. If they do then I would say to not worry too much about deaths. Workers should be able to survive with access to sugar and water as long as they aren't experiencing lethal temperatures, disease, age or injury. Some will still die for seemingly no reason - nanitics are especially short lived and frail. If they have brood they will easily replace their losses. From what you said I'm not sure if you have more brood yet but if not you should try feeding them more (Liometopum eat a lot more than they seem like they will, I cannot emphasize this enough) and heating them by putting them in a garage or buying a heating source. Never leave ants in direct sunlight.


TestSubjectOne's Experiences in Antkeeping General Journal

 

Currently Keeping:

- Veromessor pergandei (1 queen, 600 workers)

- Novomessor cockerelli (1 queen, 200 workers)

- Myrmecocystus mexicanus (1 queen, 100 workers)

- Brachymyrmex patagonicus (3 queens?, 2,000 workers? & alates)

- Crematogaster sp. (1 queen, 600 workers)

- Liometopum occidentale (1 queen, 800 workers)

- Camponotus absqualator (1 queen, 130 workers)






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