24 replies to this topic

[Jonathan5608]

Update

[Buckshot1855]

Hello.

I have always wanted to have a pheidole colony but I never could find them or even thought they existed where I live.

Suddenly, on July (2022) at 5am in the morning, I looked out the window of the door where the outdoor night lamp was and saw some alates.

At first I thought they were pavement ant alates but then realized they were pheidole.

I got many males and only 2 females and put them in this particular setup (below) with the hope they may mate because I really wanted to be sure there will be a mated queen ant!

7.jpg

After a few days, I removed the males and left the 2 females and noticed they were huddled together tending eggs!

I have decided to put them in their own separate test tube setup and split the eggs between the two and see if both were still laying eggs or just 1.

Overtime, I noticed that only one of the queen was laying eggs (left test tube) while the other queen manage to raise the few eggs she had into adults (right test tube).

1.jpg

I made the decision to place the suspected infertile queen into a walnut so that I can take it outside somewhere.

4.jpg

While the other Pheidole Queen in the test tube, was placed into a DIY formicarium.

3.jpg

As of August 2022, the Pheidole queen and her brood has moved into the formicarium nest and is now currently growing in numbers. Around 15 adults ants.

6.jpg

If it is not too much to ask. What type of pheidole species are these? The workers are tiny (2-3mm long).

Do you remember the conditions when you found the queens, I always wanted a P. tysoni colony. I know one lives in my multch bed, I don't want to dig it up. I like to keep my native species colonies going and catch flying queens.

Edited by Buckshot1855, April 12 2025 - 3:30 PM.

[Buckshot1855]

Delete

Edited by Buckshot1855, April 12 2025 - 3:31 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Try a black light setup on warm humid nights in July. I think these fly in the early hours before dawn, so you’ll want to get up early.

[AntBoi3030]

I've found these queens in the morning around pools on my patio in July. Blacklights also work but you can find de alates after the sunrises.