22 replies to this topic

[UtahAnts]

I'm making an offshoot journal from my original (link here) which will be focused on my Camponotus colonies. At the moment I have 2 species left from last season, the rest all got sold off: C. vicinus and C. hyatti. This journal will be updated a couple times this year, as Camponotus are notoriously slow growers. 

 

 

Camponotus vicinus

This colony is starting its second season with 7 workers (3 brood boosted). The largest major is about 13 mm long, making this species one of the largest in Utah. The queen has been laying frequently and around 5 pupae are visible. They are housed in a tubs and tubes setup at the moment which they seem to be doing well in.

 

 

 

 

 

Camponotus hyatti

They've been loving their Foranto nest. I can't find the queen at all, but the piles of eggs suggest otherwise

 

 

 

 

Edited by UtahAnts, July 14 2024 - 2:44 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Captivating indeed! Nice work, as always.

[T.C.]

What are you using for a camera?

[UtahAnts]

I'm using a Cannon rebel xs with a lens reversal ring and a EFS 18-55 mm lens. Using a reverse adapter is a great way to get a cheap macro setup without buying a thousand dollar lens.

[futurebird]

That's a LOT of eggs. Have you ever caught a Camponotus queen laying? They seem to lay in batches, but I have never seen it happen. Maybe they only do it when it is dark and quiet. 

 

I love the photo of the worker drinking the red sugar water. So cute. 

[UtahAnts]

That's a LOT of eggs. Have you ever caught a Camponotus queen laying? They seem to lay in batches, but I have never seen it happen. Maybe they only do it when it is dark and quiet. 

 

I love the photo of the worker drinking the red sugar water. So cute. 

 

Somehow I haven't been able to see the queen at all this season, but I'm sure she's quite physogastric. 

[That_one_ant_guy]

Just realized there's a chunky larvae in the background of the Hyattis lol

[UtahAnts]

Long time no update but the colonies are still doing great. The hyattis now have queen alates and the vicinus colony about doubled in size after I boosted them with 10 larvae plus their own dozen or so larvae from last update.

 

Camponotus vicinus (20 workers)

 

 

 

Camponotus hyatti (200 workers)

 

 

 

 

[That_one_ant_guy]

Update?

[United-Ants]

Update?

[UtahAnts]

Both colonies are still growing with all stages of brood. I also have some founding queens which I'll be selling, but if any are left from this season I'll start entries on those as well. The first image below is one such queen in a Foranto nest. 

 

 

 

Camponotus vicinus (35 workers) Lots of growth, I really like how the new workers have bright orange thoraxes. The second image shows the largest major and queen, this species is very polymorphic

 

 

 

 

 

Camponotus hyatti (200 workers) Most of the colony's brood is small larvae, the alates are still with the colony.

 

 

 

 

 

[United-Ants]

Update?

[UtahAnts]

Most of the Camponotus colonies are slowing in growth. The hyattis featured here are ready for diapause. The largest vicinus colony meanwhile still have a few pupae left before they will be ready for hibernation as well. This will probably be the last update until next year. Until then!

 

Camponotus hyatti (200 workers)

Image of their current setup. Ignore the dirty desk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camponotus vicinus 

One of several founding colonies.

 

 

 

The main Vicinus colony (60 workers)

The largest major dwarfs every other worker in the colony, nearly the size of the queen herself.

 

 

 

 

Closeup of the queen being fed.

 

 

[UtahAnts]

Quick winter update regarding the Camponotus hyatti colony. I sold them off recently so their section of the journal will be discontinued for now until another one of my hyatti colonies reaches a significant size to take their place. This colony was a joy to photograph, and here are a few last images I took during hibernation.

 

 

 

I've lost sight of the queen for the last year, but I believe she is in this clump of workers.

 

[UtahAnts]

Hibernation Update - Camponotus vicinus colony and modoc queens. The current temperature for hibernation is 50 degrees.

 

Camponotus vicinus - 65 workers

The colony is doing fine, they have around 30 overwintering larvae. No casualties yet, if I remember right workers have a lifespan of several years in the wild. This colony will be coming out of hibernation in a few weeks by raising the ambient temperature to 65 degrees. Below is the largest major in the colony, a gentle giant who stays in the nest at all times.

 

 

 

Camonotus modoc queens - I'll be selling these off but right now I have four founding queens. Two other queens did manage to get workers before hibernation, but the majority were content with a small batch of larvae.

 

[UtahAnts]

The large Camponotus vicinus colony was taken out of hibernation a week ago. They've accepted sugars and a roach. The queen is looking a bit physogastric - hopefully we'll have eggs within the month.

 

 

[UtahAnts]

Camponotus vicinus - 65 workers

2 months later the colony has over 50 brood items, looking to double their population in a month or so. Termites are a favorite so far this season.

 

 

 

 

The largest major is still alive and healthy. It will often follow the queen throughout the nest, acting as a bodyguard of sorts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[UtahAnts]

Camponotus vicinus - 120 workers

 

The colony doubled in size, with more brood still to come. Flights for this species may be as soon as tomorrow in my area, and so I might be using this colony to brood boost these new queens - effectively skipping the first and slowest season of growth. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[UtahAnts]

Sold these colonies off, so this will be discontinued for now. I'll miss these girls, Camponotus is a great genus for photography - generally slow moving and large.

[UtahAnts]

Here's some more pictures of queens from the 2024 season. 

 

Camponotus cf. hyatti - Couple colonies with one worker each. More workers on the way. 

 

 

 

 

Camponotus modoc - Queens w/ Brood

Here's a size comparison with a Tetramorium immigrans queen, never ceases to amaze me with their size.