5 replies to this topic

[BleepingBleepers]

I've been going through honeypot journals and whatnot and came across M. Placodops and M. Mendax.

 

A lot of people seem to have great success at first, colony exploding with brood and with workers, everything seems fantastic and *BOOM*, journal goes silent or "I had 10 queens, now I got 3" and "yeah....they're all deaders.... "

 

And these are some experienced keepers. I'm just wondering, any thoughts or clue as to why?

 

I hear some mentioning of them being sugar water crazed, but I thought ants can handle not having some food for awhile and what about the repletes, how are they dying so much from still having repletes to live off of? That's like their whole purpose and their advantage as honeypots....that they have a reservoir of liquids so they don't starve etc.

 

 

 

I'm a new keeper and I'd like some thoughts from experienced keepers on the matter.

And is there a caresheet for the placodops?

Edited by BleepingBleepers, July 7 2023 - 10:01 PM.

[ZTYguy]

*Moved* Accidental Miss Post

Edited by ZTYguy, July 8 2023 - 9:40 AM.

[BleepingBleepers]

Hey there! My journal will be hopefully updated this weekend and I’d like to share a few things about this species from my experience.

Really looking forward to it. I'm looking around for more caresheets and guides to keep them successful.

 

Especially the reason why certain seemingly successful colonies up and fail, want to learn from mistakes as to not repeat it as I'm quite interested in Honeypots, getting my own in a few weeks so preparing.

[ZTYguy]

Hey there! My journal will be hopefully updated this weekend and I’d like to share a few things about this species from my experience.

1. This species is quick to grow and quite easy to get going once nanitics emerge.

2. They readily take sugar water/nectar and protein.

3. Also from my experience they are no longer fragile once around 30-40 workers (generally once repletes begin to emerge).

4. They can last a LONG time without food thanks to their repletes however will need to be remained hydrated.

5. Heat is a must with this species and they need to be given enough space to grow.

Now all of these points are from MY experience and are not set in stone to all placodops colonies. Honestly the only reason these make harder keepers is the fact that they need attention in terms of heating, hydration and space accommodation. My colony has stayed at a plateau due to a lack of formicarium size increase and that they have not gotten my full attention. Now when I said previously that they can last a long time without feeding, I mean that they can SURVIVE, NOT THRIVE. They need the daily or “every other day” care to grow fast and steadily.

[B_rad0806]

Myrmecocystus placodops, even Myrmecocystus in general are pretty easy to keep. Just keep them around 85-90 degrees, constant sugar & water source, and insects 1-2 times a week then they will thrive. Really, unless a colony is dying from neglect, then it's more of a skill issue. 

[kiedeerk]

I just started a journal on them. You can follow.

I also had that impression that honey pots randomly die for no reason. But as for now I have a couple placadops and they are doing great. All have between 15-20 workers and a lot of pupae