27 replies to this topic

[Kowal]

A bit of a photo dump type of post. First picture shows better comparison between the queen and large worker - can't say it's the largest, but I think it's safe to say Cataglyphis rosenhaueri workers reach same size as the queen. Others are just shots I like.

[Ernteameise]

These are very beautiful ants.

[Stubyvast]

Agreed. Are the yellow ones callow, or is that their natural colouring? I like the three little Oceli (is that how you spell it?) on their heads, so cool!

[Kowal]

These are very beautiful ants.

 One of the prettiest I ever kept. The red shade is matched only by Camponotus lateralis (RIP). I currently also keep Cataglyphis nodus and I have to admit - I like the colours of rosenhaueri a bit more. But it is very likely that I will get rid of one of the Cataglyphis colonies and just sheer size and aggression of C. nodus suggests that it will be they who will stay... I have a plan to keep Formica rufibarbis just like I keep Cataglyphis to see how will they develop with good daily light and heat, so I'll need their halogen setup next year. 

 

Agreed. Are the yellow ones callow, or is that their natural colouring? I like the three little Oceli (is that how you spell it?) on their heads, so cool!

The yellow ones are callow, yes. Their final colour is this rosey shade of red

[Kowal]

I've decided to give them a nest. It's my own creation, based on 15x10 cm glass piece. I think it was well deserved. I don't see many larvae, and there are no eggs visible, so this colony might be nearing diapause. I expected longer period of activity, honestly. 

Edited by Kowal, July 28 2024 - 10:32 AM.

[Kowal]

It turns out they were trolling me. There is definitely more to come this season.

[Kowal]

I took two videos: one of the outworld, and one of the nest. Not same day, but same time of the day - morning, when they are the most active. As soon as the halogen turns on and soil starts getting hot, they pour out of the nest, By the evening they are all back in the nest - they are aware that evening is coming and competition might start foraging, so they are back in the nest before halogen turns off. 

I hope those videos (in form of one youtube video) will be helpful to imagine how these ants behave.

[Kowal]

Still not giving up on growth.