8 replies to this topic

[hancockrich]

Hello all, I am very new to this. I tried two years ago with fire ants but it did not go well. This year i found this big queen and so far so good. I am not sure what kind she is and was hoping someone here could help.

 

https://ibb.co/dgvMbvf

 

I tried to upload a picture but it did not work so i hosted it online.

 

I want to care for it the right way and don't know what care sheet to follow.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Vr

Rich

 

[hancockrich]

https://ibb.co/hYZyQCg

[m99]

Oh wow congrats on that brood pile. Definitely one of the more productive Camponotus species, whatever she is.

[buglover123]

Where are you from? It's a camponotus species, possibly vicinus. It's doing great, leave her undisturbed though until her first workers hatch. Once that happens you can start to feed them sugar water.

[hancockrich]

I am from Evans GA. They seem very happy, we have seven babies and have offered nectar and water so far. Here is a pic as of last night. 

https://ibb.co/5WddwFJ

 

 

Vr

Rich

Looks like they all have very full belly.

Edited by hancockrich, May 26 2022 - 10:56 AM.

[ColAnt735]

Camponotus chromaiodes .

Edited by ColAnt735, May 26 2022 - 11:49 AM.

[CheetoLord02]

Camponotus chromaiodes. C. vicinus is not found in the Eastern US.

[ConcordAntman]

I am from Evans GA. They seem very happy, we have seven babies and have offered nectar and water so far. Here is a pic as of last night. 

https://ibb.co/5WddwFJ

 

 

Vr

Rich

Looks like they all have very full belly.

As to feeding, once the first brood (they’re called nanitics) hatch, you should provide more than sugar water. That should be good enough for the workers but the queen needs protein to make eggs. Camponotus species are carnivores so in addition to nectar (3:1 water:sugar mixture) you should provide feeder insects. Crickets, fruit flies, mealworms, each colony seems to have their preferences. Check the care sheets under General Ant Keeping here on the forum for more information. Feed regularly but avoid leaving remains in the tube as that can promote mold and sicken your colony. You can catch your own feeder insects but avoid it if you live where pesticides have been used on the lawn. A humane way to prepare feeder insects is to freeze them. Keep your supply frozen as it preserves their nutrients, kills some parasites, and keeps them from decaying. Before feeding them to your colony, dip them in hot water for a few seconds (also a preventative against introducing parasites to your colony). Good luck with them!
 

[hancockrich]

Thank you so much for the info. I will deffenetly get them some bugs once I get home from work. You guys are awesome!

 

Vr

 

Rich.