110 replies to this topic

[TennesseeAnts]

Hey all!

Before I go into detail, we know that there will be criticism and backlash involved with collecting a Neivamyrmex colony, so we ask that please, keep any of that out of our journal.

Thanks!

Edited by TennesseeAnts, April 28 2022 - 1:48 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Today I collected a Neivamyrmex nigrescens colony of about 550-600 workers and the one and only queen. I also grabbed any soldiers/majors I found, which was about 40. The colony wasn't huge, and that is the reason I felt okay with collecting them.
The colony was in a rest phase under an old stump, and the queen is getting ready to lay the first eggs of the year. We are working out their permanent home, and hope to keep this colony going for a long time!

Edit: Pics are coming soon btw

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, June 18 2020 - 6:39 AM.

[Ants_Dakota]

We can have our own ideas, but i think it is bad to push them forcefully on others. You can debate them, though.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

wow...you're like BBC Nature/Earth now...

[RushmoreAnts]

Is Ferox contributing to this, or is this going to be your journal...........

[TennesseeAnts]

Is Ferox contributing to this, or is this going to be your journal...........

I have the colony at my place, but Ferox is helping me with care, brood collection and housing. We might even take turns posting updates.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, April 2 2020 - 3:08 PM.

[RushmoreAnts]

Alright. I sort of figured, just checking.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Wow, this is new! I should call you guys The Cloud and Dude Joint Ant Force or (TCDJAF for short. IDK why I even bother lol).

[gcsnelling]

If you got only that many workers the odds are very high that you left a large portion of the colony behind.

[TennesseeAnts]

If you got only that many workers the odds are very high that you left a large portion of the colony behind.

Yep. I know. I'm out getting the rest right now, actually.

[Ferox_Formicae]

I've been working on gathering up as much Linepithema brood as I can to send to Ant_Dude to feed to the colony. I'm doing this as, for one, I have easy access to brood of the species and, as Ant_Dude does not have too many invasive species in his area he can gather brood from (lucky...), I'm sending him this brood so he doesn't have to run his native colonies dry. I think this is a fairly efficient system, in my opinion.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I concur 

[RushmoreAnts]

If you kept a large colony of Linepithima, gathering brood would be much simpler. They would be like feeders.

Edited by AntsDakota, April 2 2020 - 4:15 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

If you kept a large colony of Linepithima, gathering brood would be much simpler. They would be like feeders.

Fortunately, Linepithema are not found in my area. I live miles away from any large city, so we don't even have Tetramorium.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

wow

[CheetoLord02]

Today I collected a Neivamyrmex nigrescens colony of about 550-600 workers and the one and only queen. I also grabbed any soldiers/majors I found, which was about 40. The colony wasn't huge, and that is the reason I felt okay with collecting them.
The colony was in a rest phase under an old board, and the queen is getting ready to lay the first eggs of the year. We are working out their permanent home, and hope to keep this colony going for a long time!

Edit: Pics are coming soon btw

I'd still be cautious regarding that "long time" biz, as we really don't know what the lifespan of neivamyrmex queens looks like. I've heard estimates that they only live for 3-6 months, although I personally doubt that they are that short-lived. Still, just something I'd like to point out. Either way I'd really like to see some pics, as this is one of the rarer genera to keep. I've only personally seen them in the wild once, so you'd got a great find going on here.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

They have some giant gasters (the queens at least)!

[RushmoreAnts]

If you kept a large colony of Linepithima, gathering brood would be much simpler. They would be like feeders.

Fortunately, Linepithema are not found in my area. I live miles away from any large city, so we don't even have Tetramorium.

Oh, I meant Ferox. Then he wouldn’t have to go searching and digging around every time your ants are hungry...........

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Gotta love them slave raiding species

[gcsnelling]

I don't know where you got a 3-6 month life span, but that is certainly not correct.