13 replies to this topic

[Vulgaris]

Hey guys

 

New member here. Originally from the USA and I haven't kept ants for many years. I live in Australia now and I found a bunch of Polyrhachis ants (alates and wingless) yesterday. I searched the forums but couldn't find much on caring for these. For instance, do multiple queens readily found nests together, or do they need to be kept individually? Right now I've got about 8 in one test tube and 4 in another. 

 

Also seemed a bit unusual for an alate to be carrying around a cocoon. 

 

Will try to upload photos in abit

[ZTYguy]

I would keep them separate in tubs n tubes set ups

[M_Ants]

My guess is the ones with wings carrying cocoons are infertile and being used as workers. Idk though. 

[CheetoLord02]

Polyrhachis tend to be polygynous. If you're seeing only queens and no workers, these are likely queens working together to found. I'd keep them together and just keep a close eye out for aggression, and if you notice any then split them up. The winged ones are likely infertile and just using their resources to help the other queens, but it's not impossible that they are fertile and just decided not to shed their wings. Lovely species too!

[Manitobant]

The species is polyrhachis ammon in case you didn't know.

[Ants_Dakota]

beautiful ants! i love their coloration!

[ponerinecat]

Is there a noticeable brownish gold stripe now the center of the gaster? If so then this may be Brisbanensis. Ammon just has a thick darker band going down the middle.

[Vulgaris]

Polyrhachis tend to be polygynous. If you're seeing only queens and no workers, these are likely queens working together to found. I'd keep them together and just keep a close eye out for aggression, and if you notice any then split them up. The winged ones are likely infertile and just using their resources to help the other queens, but it's not impossible that they are fertile and just decided not to shed their wings. Lovely species too!

 

No aggression yet but they have all been working tirelessly over the past week to pull the cotton stoppers out!

[Vulgaris]

Is there a noticeable brownish gold stripe now the center of the gaster? If so then this may be Brisbanensis. Ammon just has a thick darker band going down the middle.

 

It's pretty hard for me to tell. They are located near Sydney NSW 

[PurdueEntomology]

I remember when I lived in Sydney seeing these ants.  Unfortunately at that time I was not into ants as I am now.  

Edited by PurdueEntomology, December 9 2020 - 2:18 AM.

[Vulgaris]

Well guys after eight months they have not laid any eggs. I recently discovered they like to sit in the sun though, and are not too keen on being kept in the dark 24/7 like some other ants.

Attached Images

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Edited by Vulgaris, August 2 2021 - 10:06 PM.

[ANTS_KL]

uhhh you need to feed them and give them an outworld cuz all spiny ants are semi claustral. give them proteins like cut up mealworms and sweets like honey.

[Vulgaris]

Yeah I have fed them consistently inside the tubes, they have one tube as an outchamber but no larger foraging arena 

[bradscatch22]

My Polyrhachis founding queens have just all started laying and having their first generation of workers last few weeks after no activity since summer. They've been kept in a 22 deg C room the entire time. Some with outworlds and some not. I guess the warming weather and the approaching spring is what has got them started. I'm in Canberra. Good luck!

 

Personally, I wouldn't be keeping them all together in a single tube, but I'm not sure if it is possible with this species, I haven't tried.