7 replies to this topic

[drtrmiller]

I'm keeping Solenopsis invicta to research a working synthetic diet for the USDA. I caught some of these queens May 15, 2015.

 

I took photos of a few of the colonies.  I had intended to brood boost the colonies, but haven't had time, so I just let them develop naturally.  The biggest two colonies I have got their start in a byFormica GroTube XL, rearing their first nanitics in about 3-4 weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

[Crystals]

Interesting tubing connecting the test tube to the outworld.  It looks quite flexible.  What type is it?

[drtrmiller]

1/2" ID silicone tubing and 1/2" OD vinyl tubing.  It's an inexpensive quick disconnect, but not very aesthetically pleasing.

[dspdrew]

Yeah silicone tubing works great for connecting test tubes. A long time ago I was trying to do it with vinyl tubing and ended up shattering quite a few of them.

[drtrmiller]

I'm using the same polypropylene test tubes I use for liquid feeder reservoirs.  I really hate glass test tubes for how brittle they are.  I keep a test tube in my pocket when I leave the house, and you can't do that with glass unless it is the thicker-walled screw-top glass tubes.

[dspdrew]

Oh well yeah, if it's a tube you aren't trying to see through then yeah, PP is the way to go.

[drtrmiller]

 

 

 

Oh well yeah, if it's a tube you aren't trying to see through then yeah, PP is the way to go.

 

Can you not see the ants?  They're the black and red things that look like coarse ground pepper.

 

The only thing PP is bad for is macro shots, which end up slightly hazy.

Edited by drtrmiller, July 20 2015 - 9:06 AM.

[dspdrew]

Sorry, I didn't mean "see the ants"; I meant "get a nice clear view of the ants".