16 replies to this topic

[Greggy]

Hi, 

 

I'm keeping my first Messor Barbarus colony since summer '22. They are now in hibernation, not much movement, no eating. At least that's what I think.

 

Since November, when it is becoming colder (8-15 degr C), once a week, one worker dies. 
I started with approx 30-40 workers, now only 20 remaining...

 

Is this normal?

 

The humidity inside the nest is at all times good and they have water to drink. I even had one soldier for a month or two. :-(

 

Regards Greg 

[T.C.]

Hi, 

 

I'm keeping my first Messor Barbarus colony since summer '22. They are now in hibernation, not much movement, no eating. At least that's what I think.

 

Since November, when it is becoming colder (8-15 degr C), once a week, one worker dies. 
I started with approx 30-40 workers, now only 20 remaining...

 

Is this normal?

 

The humidity inside the nest is at all times good and they have water to drink. I even had one soldier for a month or two. :-(

 

Regards Greg 

 

What makes you think they are dead? Post a picture of the setup and where are they being hibernated?  I was told by some fellow antkeepers in the UK that they don't hibernate their Messor barbarus, and rather just take off heat for a few months. 

[Greggy]

Maybe a stupid question, but how do I upload pictures?

[Greggy]

Can u see the pictures? 

The formicarium is in my son's bedroom. There is no heating switched on, so temp's between 8-15 degr C.
I think they are hibernating because there is not much movement. Most of the time they are standing still and are close together.

 

Album: Formicarium

2 images

0 comments

Edited by Greggy, January 20 2023 - 3:58 AM.

[Hothkinstroy]

What is the average temperature for the room?

 

It could be as simple as an issue with starving. The colony might not recognize they are in hibernation, and so they haven't slowed down enough to the point they can last the winter without food. It wouldn't be out of the ordinary.

 

For some reason, Formiculture won't let me see the picture in full. But, assuming they are actually in hibernation, are they curled up? Or are the just huddled on the floor? If they are curled, they are probably dead. But, if they are huddled and no curled workers are seen, they are alive. Since they have water and decent humidity, assuming there are no mites, it's probably a case of starving.

 

This doesn't have to do with the issue at hand (probably, atleast) but your nest is WAY to big for your colony. They are occupying a good 1/10 of the whole nest it seems, and that nest is way too big, even if they are storing seeds in other places.

[Greggy]

Most of the time the room temperature is around 11-12 degr C( min 8, max 15).

The workers which I assume to be dead are curled up and laid down in a corner by his friends.

 

So they are starving? They have seeds and they do not want fruit flies. I will connect a test tube to the nest, maybe they want to move.

 

Thanks for the reply!  

[T.C.]

You must have funny permissions or something for the images. I can't open them. I'd use imgur. Where did the formicarium come from?

[Greggy]

The album is now public. Probably u can see it now.
The formacarium is from Happy Ant --> https://www.happyantshop.com/

[T.C.]

I would say it probably has something to do with formicarium or its hydration as long as you are feeding correctly. From the looks of it the ventilation alone looks poor and I don't see how the hydration works but it never works well in nests like that. Tarheelants is U.S. based but I have never had a bad experience in their formicariums.

[Flu1d]

Try uploading your pictures to postimages.org and once they upload copy the "hotlink for forums" link from the section of links under it and paste that link in your message. If you upload multiple files at once it will put all the links in one box for you at the bottom, just make sure to remember to select "hotlink for forums". Make sure not to click " thumbnail for forums" instead.

[Greggy]

[T.C.]

That nest is way too big for a colony of that size. 

[Greggy]

I have made a smaller formicarium (testtube) and connected to the nest. Let's see if they want to move out.

[T.C.]

I'd recommend forcing them out if they don't. Then simply place the test tube setup in the outworld until they mature enough in colony size to fill it.

[Serafine]

Looking at that nest and the colony's size it's most likely a humidity issue. Large colonies have no problem creating a favorable climate in their nest (even if they don't fill out the nest entirely) but this colony is way too small to do that.

I'd also check that sand, some brands of colored sand can be toxic to ants.

[T.C.]

I'd also check that sand, some brands of colored sand can be toxic to ants.

 

I lost a 1000+ Colony of Lasius sp. a few years back. Usually if it's "play sand" its ok, but Decor sand is what got me.

[benxixi]

you need 26-28℃