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Using simple dirt containers to found harvester colonies - best method?

pogonomyrmex raising founding

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#1 Offline UtahAnts - Posted December 1 2022 - 9:06 PM

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This thread is open to debate, however I'm going to give a quick rundown of the simple dirtbox method, and why I think it is the best way to found long term colonies of harvester ants of the genus Pogonomyrmex, specifically Pogonomyrmex occidentalis and Pogonomyrmex rugosus. I've raised hundreds of queens and colonies, and based on my varying success from different methods, I've found the dirt box to be most effective method for multiple reasons which will be listed below.

 

 

First of all, the main competition of this method, the trusted test tube, has been used for decades with varying success. The most obvious issue is that the glass of the test tube itself has little traction for harvester ants, which is already less than ideal for a partially claustral queen ant. Some have developed inserts or variations such as the bamboo test tube which provides more suitable living conditions for the founding queen. However these methods while providing good humidity and visibility, are time consuming to make yourself (if you're into that) or rather expensive if you want to house many colonies. If you are simply housing a couple queens than a test tube variation will work fine if the queen can raise her first generation. 

 

The other well known replacement for test tubes and dirt boxes is founding formicariums. For example the THA mini hearth. These founding formicaria work well in proving space, an easily accessible foraging area (usually a horizontally attached outworld is recommended for harvesters), a good humidity gradient and good visibility. The main issue is the price of such setups. It is not practical to buy dozens of formicaria for founding queens, who may not even make it through founding a successful colony in the first place.

 

 

This brings me to the simple and cheap dirt box method. It's self explanatory, however there are a few tips you may not know. Here's a list of materials:

  • Small plastic containers, with a very small amount of airflow
  • Dirt
  • Distilled water on hand to hydrate
  • Dandelion, chia or kentucky bluegrass seeds
  • Non-treated Toilet paper (optional) 

Setting up: After washing the containers and lids, place dirt until the dirt level is about 1/4 to 1/2 of the height of the container after being slightly compacted. Moisten half of the dirt with water and place some seeds on the dry side of the dirt. The setup is ready.

 

The toilet paper is optional, but I've found it works very well. The toilet paper is a biodegradable and humid medium which will retain water and provide structural support. Queens will tear the paper up and spread it around the founding container. I'm still not sure exactly why but queens which were provided toilet paper in their dirt box laid eggs much sooner than others. To incorporate toilet paper into the dirt box, simply place 2cm by 2 cm squares over the wet side of the dirt.

 

As for the dirt itself, if you have native colonies, use dirt from the vicinity of different colonies. Be sure to dig at least a few inches down when collecting. I've also had great success with dirt from my garden and soil. If you do use a soil-like medium, be sure to mix adequate amounts of sand and clay in to create a structurally sound and mold resistant founding chamber. I don't like to wash, bake, or boil my dirt, especially when it's coming from a natural environment in the native desert. If any small organisms exist in the soil, they usually keep the mold out. However this does carry a risk of fungal infection, so if you really want to be safe, bake your soil and get a springtail culture.

I find the best ratio to create an ideal founding dirt is: 1 part sand, 1 part clay and 3 parts natural dirt from existing colonies.

If you're going the soil route, I do 3 parts soil to 2 parts clay to 1 part sand.

 

 

Example of a dirt box housing a pogonomyrmex rugosus colony.

Setup is around 5 months old.

IMG 9931
 
 
After months of use, the structural integrity of the dirt is still holding up.
 
IMG 9919
IMG 9922
 
A dry seed storage
 
IMG 9917
 
A foraging rugosus queen of a small colony.
 
IMG 9921
 
 
 

The main advantages of the dirt box method is the increased founding rate and low price. The success of queens in these setups can likely be attributed to:

  • The freedom the queen ant has in creating an ideal founding chamber
  • Natural stimuli received from digging
  • Good traction and grip
  • Ease of foraging
  • Helpful microbiota and cleanup crews
  • High variance of humidity
  • Stable temperature/ease of heating
  • Absence of cotton 

The main disadvantages of the method as I've seen:

  • Low visibility
  • Needs to be watered periodically
  • Takes a bit of practice to learn how much to water

As long as you are fine with not being able to see the queen and her brood (which don't need a visual affirmative every other day to grow) and needing to water every week or so depending on dirt type and size of container, this method may be for you. The rate of success you'll have, not to mention the low entry price makes this method very easy and very effective.

 

 

I'd like to conclude with some of my rough statistics for two species: 

 

P. occidentalis

Roughly 70% of queens in plain test tubes die before reaching a first generation

5% found long-term successful colonies

 

Dirt box setup:

35% of queens in dirt boxes die before reaching first generation.

50% found long term colonies.

                                                                                                                                      

P. rugosus

90% of queens in plain test tube setups die before first generation

5% found long term colonies

 

Dirt box setup:

Roughly 30% of queens in dirt boxes die before reaching first generation.

55% found long term colonies.

 

 

 

Conclusion

The disparity of success rates between the test tube setup and the dirt box is quite obvious, especially for the rugosus who are more sensitive. Admittedly, this only compares test tubes and dirt boxes. The success rate of founding formicariums are closer to those of dirt boxes, however the large price difference is not worth it in terms of founding success when cheaper options exist. Because of the price and success rate, I believe the simple dirt box to be the best method of founding Pogonomyrmex species. I'm interested in hearing your experience with founding Pogonomyrmex species, or any questions or criticism you may have regarding this method.

 


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#2 Online rptraut - Posted December 2 2022 - 12:54 PM

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Great information.  I used something similar for a cranky Tetramorium queen who wouldn't settle in a test tube.  Do you know what the success rate is for queens in the "natural world".   How do your success rates compare?


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#3 Offline T.C. - Posted December 2 2022 - 2:02 PM

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I used to found Formica like this. Only downfall I ever got was mold, which was fixed with springtails.

#4 Offline UtahAnts - Posted December 2 2022 - 2:27 PM

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Great information.  I used something similar for a cranky Tetramorium queen who wouldn't settle in a test tube.  Do you know what the success rate is for queens in the "natural world".   How do your success rates compare?

Naturally founding queens of the genus Pogonomyrmex often have a very high mortality rate, some sources reference close to 99%. Of course this percent factors in all queens lost before, during and shortly after the first few generations. I can't really compare the natural queen survival rate to the captive rate just because the two metrics are not very comparable in that conditions of captivity are initially much safer then then the natural world.

 

 

I used to found Formica like this. Only downfall I ever got was mold, which was fixed with springtails.

 

I've also used dirt boxes to found Formica, besides the mold it does seem to work. The thing with Formica is that they prefer more organic dirt, which is why I think the method really shines when used for desert species who naturally prefer an arid soil type with a high sand and clay ratio.


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#5 Offline T.C. - Posted December 3 2022 - 2:27 PM

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Great information.  I used something similar for a cranky Tetramorium queen who wouldn't settle in a test tube.  Do you know what the success rate is for queens in the "natural world".   How do your success rates compare?

Naturally founding queens of the genus Pogonomyrmex often have a very high mortality rate, some sources reference close to 99%. Of course this percent factors in all queens lost before, during and shortly after the first few generations. I can't really compare the natural queen survival rate to the captive rate just because the two metrics are not very comparable in that conditions of captivity are initially much safer then then the natural world.
 
 

I used to found Formica like this. Only downfall I ever got was mold, which was fixed with springtails.

 
I've also used dirt boxes to found Formica, besides the mold it does seem to work. The thing with Formica is that they prefer more organic dirt, which is why I think the method really shines when used for desert species who naturally prefer an arid soil type with a high sand and clay ratio.

I had bought a bunch of dspdrews dirt boxes years ago for that reason.

#6 Offline UtahAnts - Posted September 21 2024 - 10:07 PM

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2024 season success rates - no harvester colonies were housed in test tubes this year.

 

P. occidentalis

 

Dirt box setup:

8% of queens in dirt boxes died before producing first generation.

80% founded long term colonies (continuing to grow 2+ months after nanitics eclose)

                                                                                                                                      

P. rugosus

 

Dirt box setup:

Roughly 17% of queens in dirt boxes died before producing first generation.

80% found long term colonies.

 

 

These rates are better from previous years due to a better watering schedule (less water more often) - it takes practice to get down.

 

--------------------------------

Additionally I have observations for a few other desert species.

 

 

Pheidole cf. ceres

Roughly 15% of queens in test tubes with substrate died before producing a first generation. Needs to be done without substrate in the future.

80% found long-term successful colonies. The colonies that did survive seemed to grow quicker than the dirt box colonies.

 

Dirt box setup:

5% of queens in dirt boxes died before producing a first generation.

90% founded long term colonies.

                                                                                                           

Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Roughly 33% of queens in plain test tubes died before producing a first generation, or are still founding.

65% founded successful colonies.

 

Dirt box setup:

25% of queens in dirt boxes died or failed to produce a first generation.

75% founded long term colonies.

 

----------------------------------------------

Conclusion: neither the Pheidole or Myrmecocystus have significantly different rates between test tubes and dirt setups. For the Pheidole especially, test tubes seem the preferable option. Conversely I did note the honeypots had larger first generations and better growth over two months in the dirt setups than test tubes.

 

 

 

Pogonomyrmex rugosus queens

 

IMG 1833
 
IMG 3518
 

 

 

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis queens

 

IMG 2573

 

IMG 3442
 
IMG 3514

 

 
 
 
Pheidole cf. ceres queens
 
IMG 3429

 

 

 
 
Myrmecocystus mexicanus queens

 

IMG 3507

 

IMG 2138 ezgif.com optimize
 
IMG 19001 ezgif.com optimize

 

IMG 3527

 

IMG 3523

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#7 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted September 22 2024 - 6:11 AM

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Fascinating. Do you have a link to the containers you use?


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#8 Offline AntsGodzilla - Posted September 22 2024 - 6:44 AM

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UtahAnts,

 

Is this just for founding or whole colonies? Because I saw only founding colonies in the post you made yesterday, but in the first post you said:

 

 

 

 

"Example of a dirt box housing a pogonomyrmex rugosus colony.

Setup is around 5 months old."


Edited by AntsGodzilla, September 22 2024 - 6:44 AM.

 

And many Carnivorous plants such as: Dionea muscipula (fly trap), Sarracenia x 'Fiona' ( American Pitcher plant), Nepenthese ventrata (Tropical Pitcher plant), and Pinguicula agnata x emarginata (Butterwort) (show off your plants here)

Godzilla thread

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores it's provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6: 6-8

 

Myrmecocystus depilis

 


#9 Offline UtahAnts - Posted September 22 2024 - 1:08 PM

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Both founding and the next couple months of colony development. The success rates reflect how many colonies died while founding, and then how many proceeded to create whole viable colonies over the next few months after.

 

 

Fascinating. Do you have a link to the containers you use?

 

https://www.amazon.c...l/dp/B00Q7ML0M2

 

I get these small containers from the dollar store for less than amazon lists them for. They come in packs of ten for $1.25. Reusable for years.


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Leave the Road, take the Trails - Pythagoras

 

Utah Ant Keeping --- Here

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Honeypot Ant Journal --- Here

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#10 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted September 22 2024 - 1:24 PM

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I actually have containers similar to those for around the same price. I will consider using them in the future.


"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

 

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis


#11 Offline AntsGodzilla - Posted September 22 2024 - 1:32 PM

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Both founding and the next couple months of colony development. The success rates reflect how many colonies died while founding, and then how many proceeded to create whole viable colonies over the next few months after.

 

 

Fascinating. Do you have a link to the containers you use?

 

https://www.amazon.c...l/dp/B00Q7ML0M2

 

I get these small containers from the dollar store for less than amazon lists them for. They come in packs of ten for $1.25. Reusable for years.

Nice. I am hoping to catch a lot of Pogonomyrmex next season, so it's good to know this.
Do you think a tub covered in perfect cast would have the same affect?


Edited by AntsGodzilla, September 22 2024 - 1:32 PM.

 

And many Carnivorous plants such as: Dionea muscipula (fly trap), Sarracenia x 'Fiona' ( American Pitcher plant), Nepenthese ventrata (Tropical Pitcher plant), and Pinguicula agnata x emarginata (Butterwort) (show off your plants here)

Godzilla thread

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores it's provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6: 6-8

 

Myrmecocystus depilis

 


#12 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted September 22 2024 - 1:40 PM

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Probably if it's around the same size. Too large of a container creates too much airflow, drying out the nest and the ants; that's my main complaint with THA's mini hearths and other large-chambered nests.


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"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

 

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis


#13 Offline AntsGodzilla - Posted September 22 2024 - 1:44 PM

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Really? I haven't noticed that before.


 

And many Carnivorous plants such as: Dionea muscipula (fly trap), Sarracenia x 'Fiona' ( American Pitcher plant), Nepenthese ventrata (Tropical Pitcher plant), and Pinguicula agnata x emarginata (Butterwort) (show off your plants here)

Godzilla thread

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores it's provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6: 6-8

 

Myrmecocystus depilis

 


#14 Offline RushmoreAnts - Posted September 22 2024 - 2:44 PM

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Hardy ants can tolerate it, it's just not ideal, and the ants don't like it.


"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds (including ants). And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

 

Keeping:

Tetramorium immigrans

Formica cf. pallidefulva, cf. incerta, cf. argentea

Formica cf. aserva, cf. subintegra

Pogonomyrmex occidentalis

Pheidole bicarinata

Myrmica sp.

Lasius neoniger, brevicornis


#15 Offline UtahAnts - Posted September 22 2024 - 3:09 PM

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Having a layer of perfect cast underneath the substrate does help retain moisture, so yes it does work if the container has substrate. Using only a layer of perfect cast by itself may work, especially for leaf-cutters, but I have never tried this myself.


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#16 Offline AntsGodzilla - Posted September 22 2024 - 4:12 PM

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Do you only water half of the box?


 

And many Carnivorous plants such as: Dionea muscipula (fly trap), Sarracenia x 'Fiona' ( American Pitcher plant), Nepenthese ventrata (Tropical Pitcher plant), and Pinguicula agnata x emarginata (Butterwort) (show off your plants here)

Godzilla thread

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores it's provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6: 6-8

 

Myrmecocystus depilis

 


#17 Offline UtahAnts - Posted September 22 2024 - 4:57 PM

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Yes, just don't overdo it because the water will spread throughout all the substrate eventually. Several drops once a week is good when founding, you can water with less more frequently once workers arrive. Having some clay content will help the soil stay humid.


Leave the Road, take the Trails - Pythagoras

 

Utah Ant Keeping --- Here

DIY Formicariums and Outworlds --- Here

Honeypot Ant Journal --- Here

Photo Album --- Here

Videos --- Here


#18 Offline AntsGodzilla - Posted September 22 2024 - 6:48 PM

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thanks!


 

And many Carnivorous plants such as: Dionea muscipula (fly trap), Sarracenia x 'Fiona' ( American Pitcher plant), Nepenthese ventrata (Tropical Pitcher plant), and Pinguicula agnata x emarginata (Butterwort) (show off your plants here)

Godzilla thread

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores it's provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6: 6-8

 

Myrmecocystus depilis

 






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