12 replies to this topic

[SHmealer]

Finally caught my dream species, Pheidole littoralis

I've been trying to catch this species for over a year and I'm pretty sure I'll be the first person to raise this species from a queen to workers. Coming across queens of this species is very uncommon due to them being unpredictable day flyers that fly in the middle of the 90-100F Florida heat. I dug her out of a founding chamber a few days ago while I was out blacklighting and it came as a huge surprise, one of them already has eggs.
I find this species particularly interesting due to their extreme dimorphism, this species is thought to be a seed specialist and it shows in their huge majors. I'm very happy that I've come across this amazing species and I'll try my best you update y'all when one is needed. 
 

This is what they'll look like with majors and workers 


 

[Ernteameise]

Very cool!

These majors are tanks!

[SHmealer]

Queen one has laid a big batch of eggs   
 

[ANTdrew]

Excellent! Keep them toasty.

[SHmealer]

Excellent! Keep them toasty.

currently have them at 87f in my incubator

[SHmealer]

Both of the littoralis queens have died. the one with the eggs died shortly after getting larvae  

I'm gonna try to dig up a colony and if that doesn't work ill catch them next year.
I'll update this journal  when i get my hands on them again.

Also, I recently found a queen of Pheidole carrolli which are an extremely rare grainivore very similar to pilifera. I'll make a journal on them shortly.

[SHmealer]

Good news, I was able to dig up a new colony. managed to get a newly founded queen with 3 nanitics.

 

[SHmealer]

Update: colony is doing decent with a major larvae, larvae, and eggs.
 
I also managed to dig up another colony that had a major that I gave to a friend. 

that's it for now, I'm hoping they will grow faster, so i can get alates by summer.

Edited by SHmealer, October 22 2023 - 7:05 AM.

[Virginian_ants]

That's a thick major.

[ANTdrew]

That's a thick major.

I believe thicc is the more accurate term.

[SHmealer]

My old colonies died shortly after getting their first major, However I believe this will be my year for them, This week I have so far caught 15 Pheidole littoralis in total so I've definitely got  a better shot 



Now that I have a camera I will be able to document these beautiful ants better.

Edited by SHmealer, July 26 2024 - 12:52 AM.

[NotAxo]

They have such a beautiful colour! I wish you good luck on your queens!

[Zzz]

Good luck! Their majors really are amazing!