43 replies to this topic

[Talabason]

My first ever journal. I decided on making a journal on pogonomyrmex badius, the only polymorphic pogonomyrmex species in the USA. They are native to the southeastern part of the USA. Their nuptial flights is usually in May-June and possibly July in the northern most regions. The queens are fully claustral.

 

• I caught my queen back in June 2022.
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• I kept her mostly undisturbed for the last 2 months. She produced two workers first then two more arrived shortly after. Currently they have 4 workers and a nice brood pile consisting of 10-20 eggs, 4-6 larva, and two pupae
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[United-Ants]

Cool such an amazing sp

[Talabason]

Badius colony up to 6 workers and nice healthy brood pile!

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[Talabason]

Colony up to 8-10 workers with big pile of brood. Doing quite well.

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[Talabason]

Colony up to 15 workers. No signs of slowing down. Very healthy brood pile.

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[United-Ants]

that's a lot of brood amazing colony keep up the good work

Edited by United-Ants, September 17 2022 - 7:39 PM.

[AntsCali098]

that's a lot of brood amazing colony keep up the good work

 

Agreed. Following 

[Talabason]

I might just do monthly updates now. Colony still growing steadily.
I moved out or AC portal set up into a diy formicarium. The only down side is it’s harder to take pictures of the colony now. They have access to sand and like to put it against glass.

Colony up to prob 30+ workers with good brood pile.

Edited by Talabason, April 21 2023 - 7:12 PM.

[bmb1bee]

Nice custom formicarium!

[Talabason]

Colony growing steadily, up to 50+ workers

Once they outgrow this nest I will put them in a traditional horizontal nest so I can better pictures

Edited by Talabason, April 21 2023 - 7:13 PM.

[Talabason]

Growing well. Was able to get some better pictures. First major eclosed.
Pogonomyrmex are known to be dirty however all the Pogonomyrmex I have kept are very clean. They keep their trash in a nest pile in the corner.

Edited by Talabason, April 21 2023 - 7:13 PM.

[Flu1d]

Growing well. Was able to get some better pictures. First major eclosed.
Pogonomyrmex are known to be dirty however all the Pogonomyrmex I have kept are very clean. They keep their trash in a nest pile in the corner.

I love these updates! My dad had 5 acres of land in a rural part of Florida and these had nests all behind our home in the sandy areas of the land. I used to love watching them as a kid. I never got bit or stung by one, and I am glad I was a smart enough kid to enjoy these ladies from a distance because now as an adult and just now getting into ants, I have learned these girls pack a mean sting!

I cannot wait to start a colony of my own

[aznphenom]

 

I love these updates! My dad had 5 acres of land in a rural part of Florida and these had nests all behind our home in the sandy areas of the land. I used to love watching them as a kid. I never got bit or stung by one, and I am glad I was a smart enough kid to enjoy these ladies from a distance because now as an adult and just now getting into ants, I have learned these girls pack a mean sting!

I cannot wait to start a colony of my own

 

I hope your dad still have the land. I would love to get some next year. couldn't find any seller this year.

[Flu1d]

I love these updates! My dad had 5 acres of land in a rural part of Florida and these had nests all behind our home in the sandy areas of the land. I used to love watching them as a kid. I never got bit or stung by one, and I am glad I was a smart enough kid to enjoy these ladies from a distance because now as an adult and just now getting into ants, I have learned these girls pack a mean sting!

I cannot wait to start a colony of my own

I hope your dad still have the land. I would love to get some next year. couldn't find any seller this year.

He still has the land, however someone else lives on it now. I'm not sure I'd be welcome out there or not, I don't know them lol

[Talabason]

Badius almost out growing their current set up. They now have two majors.

Edited by Talabason, April 21 2023 - 7:13 PM.

[T.C.]

I love these updates! My dad had 5 acres of land in a rural part of Florida and these had nests all behind our home in the sandy areas of the land. I used to love watching them as a kid. I never got bit or stung by one, and I am glad I was a smart enough kid to enjoy these ladies from a distance because now as an adult and just now getting into ants, I have learned these girls pack a mean sting!
I cannot wait to start a colony of my own

I hope your dad still have the land. I would love to get some next year. couldn't find any seller this year.

He still has the land, however someone else lives on it now. I'm not sure I'd be welcome out there or not, I don't know them lol

If you tell most people what your doing in a fancy way, like your working on a myrmecology project, they will let you on their property. I've done it several times, but I also got the cops called on me twice for trespassing last year. Once they finally believe what your doing, they're typically cool about it.

Edited by T.C., November 23 2022 - 9:40 AM.

[Talabason]

Moved the colony into new nest. Now I will be able to take much better pictures with my crappy macro lens.
Pictures show the different cast of workers and the queen. Brood of different stages.

The colony is thriving and have more than 75 workers.

Enjoy!

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Edited by Talabason, December 1 2022 - 7:53 AM.

[antsriondel]

Wow, that is an awesome colony! Keep up the good work! 

[Ant-nig321]

Any update!!!?

[Talabason]

Any update!!!?

I just updated a few days ago. But they are pretty much thriving