20 replies to this topic

[Virginian_ants]

I have a tapinoma sessile queen with no workers that isn't doing well. I also have a two queen colony with over 100 workers. Could I combine the two. I know they make large hundred when colonies but the two queen colony had three but one was killed. Three one that was killed always seemed separate from the two and I think it wanted to be monogamous. Anyone know a good strategy to introduce the new queen.

[AntsCali098]

The best thing you can do is put the new queen in the outworld. They will show aggression at first, if they are too aggressive, it could become deadly so take her out. If they are just a little aggressive, check them every 15-30 minutes to make sure the queen is okay.

[Virginian_ants]

Okay

[ANTdrew]

Tapinoma aren’t worth the trouble.

[Virginian_ants]

Tapinoma aren’t worth the trouble.

Why? It's one of my favorite colonies.

Edited by Virginian_ants, June 16 2023 - 2:16 PM.

[Manitobant]

Tapinoma aren’t worth the trouble.

Why? It's one of my favorite colonies.

don’t listen to drew, he just really hates tapinoma. I actually think sessile are quite underrated

[Virginian_ants]

They are fun to watch. The queen immediately ran into the nest and caused a ruckus then ran back to the outworld and i removed her. I will try again later.

[ANTdrew]

Just flip any rock and find a new colony. Or let them move into your kitchen and harass your other colonies. They are off-brand Argentines.

[Virginian_ants]

I'm mostly surrounded by forest so they are harder to find, so growing this colony is important to me. The queen was pinned down by workers then dragged to the trash pile but they aren't trying to kill her it seems.

[Virginian_ants]

She is still alive and no longer attacked, she still has all her legs and antenna and a worker is always right near her I think they have done trophallaxis.

[Ants_Dakota]

Just flip any rock and find a new colony. Or let them move into your kitchen and harass your other colonies. They are off-brand Argentines.

And then there are tetramorium immigrans...

[Hothkinstroy]

Combine them. I've boosted colonies with random workers from different states, they'll literally combine colonies no matter what.

Edited by Hothkinstroy, June 21 2023 - 10:37 AM.

[Virginian_ants]

The queen has been killed they really just want two queens.

[rptraut]

Hello Virginian ants;
I’m proud to be a happy Tapinoma keeper. They’re some of my favourite colonies. Well behaved, they eat almost anything enthusiastically. Your two queens will soon give you many workers and new queens. The same characteristics that make them such hated house pests makes them great colonies to keep. Good luck with yours!
RPT

[Virginian_ants]

Thanks! They are growing fast I gave them a baby roach the other day and they picked it up brung it inside the nest then hollowed out the shell then put it back where they found it. They eat all foods I give them. I know they can inbreed or are parthenogenetic but I don't think all colonies do that only the ones that already have 10+ like the ones that invade houses. 

[Hothkinstroy]

The queen has been killed they really just want two queens.

Huh. That's really weird. From my experience, Tapinoma sessile is one of the most polygynous species out there. Sorry about your loss btw.

[Virginian_ants]

In my area I think they are more one to two queens in a colony because it's more forested and there is less food.

[ANTdrew]

A colony of these moved into my bike pump.

[rptraut]

I have found entire colonies (queens, brood and workers) living in such varied places as an aluminum tent pole, a hollow rhubarb stem, in two potted plants and under a board in my garden.    They will basically live anywhere, eat anything, and are very easy to contain with heavy mineral oil (available at most pharmacies).  They seem to be almost afraid of it and it keeps them very well contained. 

 

Just to show you how flexible they are, I even have a colony living in a modified "Uncle Milton Ant Farm".  This colony started out with three queens and now has seven that I could see.  Your colony has the same potential. 

 

 

 

 

This is about half of the brood from this colony.  They don't seem to mind light and will even keep their brood in an empty test tube.  You just gotta love such cooperative little ants.

Enjoy your time.

RPT

[Yourbasicantkeeper]