44 replies to this topic

[AntPerson76]

Hello from Maryland! I'm making a journal about my pheidole dentata colony, which I've named the Pioneers for a few reasons. I got this colony from a friend who lives near me not to long ago. a month maybe, so they haven't grown much. I've always wanted to keep pheidole, so I was excited when I got them. I immediately put them in a mini hearth I had that was unoccupied, but I wasn't expecting them to move in so quickly. I dumped them into the mini hearth, and in about five minutes they were already moved down to the bottom section where they were supposed to be living in. Maybe this adaptable trait is common in pheidole, but I was surprised. They're my favorite colony so far, and are pretty cool and don't seem to get stressed, so I named them the Pioneers. I've had them for a month now, and they're queen has laid two massive clumps of eggs. Man, pheidole rule! I gave them some seeds, and feed them small crickets currently, because I have a praying mantis, and I was thinking about getting a gecko, so why not? I'll post any updates and pictures when I have the chance. 

[AntPerson76]

This picture above is my favorite, but turned out small for some reason, so click on it to see it in full.

 

Edited by AntPerson76, May 31 2023 - 6:00 PM.

[AntPerson76]

They loved the seeds, and if you brighten the top left image, you can barely see the queen. Since then, they have moved down on top of the...humidifier? I think that's what it's called. I'm working on taking better pictures. 

P.S. These pictures were taken three weeks ago, so they're brood pile as increased a lot.

Edited by AntPerson76, May 27 2023 - 12:57 PM.

[CatsnAnts]

Cool! I love Pheidole.

[AntPerson76]

Here are some more recent pictures I just took today. In the red circle, you can slightly see how much brood they have, well that's really just a fraction of it, paired with pictures of the queen. Also, thinking of names for her, so if you have any suggestions, let me know: 

Edited by AntPerson76, May 31 2023 - 5:49 PM.

[AntPerson76]

Feeding time! I mixed it up a bit, and paired with their usual cricket, I gave them some cantaloupe, which they surprisingly loved, seeds, and some sweet banana flavored jelly. I'm going to Tennessee in two weeks, so I'm excited to post what I find while going even deeper into the south for a month. My friend will be taking care of my pheidole, and I can't wait to see how much they've grown when I come back! (that is in two weeks though so lets not get too excited!)

Edited by AntPerson76, May 31 2023 - 5:53 PM.

[AntPerson76]

They've split their brood pile, keeping the eggs and small larvae with the queen, and the mature larvae and pupae by the water tube in the opposite corner. You can clearly see the difference in the size of the brood piles from now and a month ago:

Edited by AntPerson76, May 31 2023 - 4:28 PM.

[Flu1d]

What website do you use to host to post pics? Because it seems to be only yours that I am unable to see. I use postimages.org

[AntsCali098]

Use this:

https://www.formicul...e-walk-through/

[AntPerson76]

Use this:

https://www.formicul...e-walk-through/

I did that before and the pictures showed up upsidedown.

[AntPerson76]

Can you all see it now? I fixed it

[AntsCali098]

Yeah, we can see, but only the latest one.

Edited by AntsCali098, May 31 2023 - 4:32 PM.

[AntPerson76]

Don't worry, I'm working on fixing pictures in all my posts, thanks!

Edited by AntPerson76, May 31 2023 - 5:35 PM.

[AntsCali098]

Just so you know, there is an option to rotate the images using the method I posted in "Review and publish", but you seem to have it figured out!

[Flu1d]

I just use postimages.org, no walk through needed. Upload, select "hotlink for forums" link and voila! Perfect pictures every time.

[AntPerson76]

It's fixed! (I think) Can you guys see the pictures?

[AntsCali098]

Yay! Yeah

Edited by AntsCali098, May 31 2023 - 6:23 PM.

[AntPerson76]

Today, my colony got a bunch new workers. I counted 4, and there's many more pupae, larvae, and eggs that are on their way to becoming workers. I can't wait for new majors and supermajors!

[ANTdrew]

Pheidole eat some seeds, but I wouldn’t feed as many hard seeds like that.

[AntPerson76]

Pheidole eat some seeds, but I wouldn’t feed as many hard seeds like that.

Ok. They took the seeds into their nest so I thought they would eat them, and also they use the seeds as cover so less light can enter the nest, but I won't feed them as many seeds anymore. Should I take them out?