13 replies to this topic

[Myrmecologeek]

Hello, I would like to share with you my 5 T. melanocephala queens with their brood and some of their workers. The problem I have with this colony is that, the workers tend to run out as soon as I unplug the cotton. As if it's not hard enough to feed them when they chose to stay right at the mouth of the test tube leaving barely enough space to put a droplet of honey water.



I caught this small colony just today after cutting down a branch off of a mango tree. The branch was getting in the way of our electricity lines so we had to cut the branch off. Unfortunately there was a nest where I started cutting and since I lost my colonies as I have mentioned here, everytime I find a new colony, I simply capture them. I know, I know, I should leave the wild ones alone as much as possible. I will try.

P.S It's actually Tapinoma melanocephalum instead of melanocephala.

Edited by Myrmecologeek, November 3 2013 - 7:26 PM.

[dspdrew]

What is the genus of those. They look so much like my Nylanderia colony.

[Crystals]

I have no problem picking up colonies that would otherwise be destroyed.  But then again, I am regularly in a gravel pit and scour the areas they are about to strip.

If you had simply let the queens fall to the ground, what were the chances that they could find cover and survive long enough to found their colony?  I bet other ants would have found and killed them. 

 

I can't wait to see that colony in 6 months.  I look at all of that brood and go, "wow".

Almost need to put the test tube in a small container and let them forage.

[Myrmecologeek]

I have no problem picking up colonies that would otherwise be destroyed.  But then again, I am regularly in a gravel pit and scour the areas they are about to strip.

If you had simply let the queens fall to the ground, what were the chances that they could find cover and survive long enough to found their colony?  I bet other ants would have found and killed them. 

 

I can't wait to see that colony in 6 months.  I look at all of that brood and go, "wow".

Almost need to put the test tube in a small container and let them forage.

I went for your advice and set them up in an outworld. They are feeding like crazy! Perhaps it's due to having a small population of workers in relation to brood size and number of queens.

 

What is the genus of those. They look so much like my Nylanderia colony.

Tapinoma. These are T. melanocephalum. Very odorous Dolicherines, though not as odorous as T. sessile.

[Crystals]

Great to hear! 

 

I find all of the species I caught love hummingbird nectar, perhaps yours will enjoy it as well.  I often dump a bunch of live fruit flies into young colonies if I go away for a few days, or to leave a "meals on wheels". 

[Myrmecologeek]

Update on this colony. They have grown pretty slowly. All the larvae and pupae in the photo have since eclosed. Some eggs and larvae are present at the moment. I currently feed them liquid food only. I have 2 kinds of liquids, one is honey mixed with water and the other is crushed insect shake. That's all I give them, no solids. Do you guys think that's a bad idea?

[dspdrew]

Update on this colony. They have grown pretty slowly. All the larvae and pupae in the photo have since eclosed. Some eggs and larvae are present at the moment. I currently feed them liquid food only. I have 2 kinds of liquids, one is honey mixed with water and the other is crushed insect shake. That's all I give them, no solids. Do you guys think that's a bad idea?

I don't see a problem with feeding them liquid food, as long as there's protein. How many workers would you say they now have? Any new pictures?

[Myrmecologeek]

I don't see a problem with feeding them liquid food, as long as there's protein. How many workers would you say they now have? Any new pictures?

I only borrow the camera so I'll be posting as soon as I get the chance. I'd say there are about 30-40. Very slow growing for 5 queens actually. I expect to move them soon but they are ghosts, too tiny for all formicaria I have so I really don't know what I should do.

[Crystals]

You could make a formicarium out of grout, or possibly even firebrick or ytong.  Just be sure to heavily silicone the borders, and once it is dry, add another coat all along the glass/nest seam.  Use a 2 part epoxy on the entrance tube, as silicone has too much "give" for that particular job.

You may even be able to add a heavy layer of silicone to the glass joint on your existing nests.  I would put it in another container just in case there are escapees.

 

Grout is less porous than the pre-made stones, not even water or air can escape my nest.  You can test it by filling it with water, or even by blowing on the entrance tube.

The outworld is your bigger concern.  A tight lid and very fine metal mesh should work.

[Myrmecologeek]

You could make a formicarium out of grout, or possibly even firebrick or ytong.  Just be sure to heavily silicone the borders, and once it is dry, add another coat all along the glass/nest seam.  Use a 2 part epoxy on the entrance tube, as silicone has too much "give" for that particular job.

You may even be able to add a heavy layer of silicone to the glass joint on your existing nests.  I would put it in another container just in case there are escapees.

 

Grout is less porous than the pre-made stones, not even water or air can escape my nest.  You can test it by filling it with water, or even by blowing on the entrance tube.

The outworld is your bigger concern.  A tight lid and very fine metal mesh should work.

Great suggestion Crystals, I'll try grout. I've worked with grout many times so I'm pretty confident about making one. Perhaps I'll capture a dozen wild Tapinoma melanocephalum workers to test out the formicarium first.

[Crystals]

Mix the grout with sand or crushed perlite to make it more water absorbant.   About 3:1 Grout:Sand/Perlite seems to be a nice ratio.

Testing it with wild workers is a good idea.  They can show you any cracks or gaps in your formicarium or outworld. 

[Myrmecologeek]

It's tricky capturing these speedy ghosts though. Obviously I can't do it by hand or forceps. Haha. I'll just bait them instead. Thank you for the tips Crystals.

[Crystals]

No problem.

I look forward to seeing pictures of the nests you build.

 

I would like to see pictures of the baiting as well.  I haven't had much success with baiting, with the exception of Formica.  Although I have had success with nectar and Lasius.

[Myrmecologeek]

Update on this colony.