28 replies to this topic

[AntsCali098]

Yeah, I recently noticed that too. Doesn't seem to be spreading now but I will grab a new test tube for them. Just worried about stressing them out so much in this stage. Never seen that on those sponges it seems to be pretty rare.

[AntsCali098]

Its been a while...but these gals are doing great! Especially brood wise, the queen is in great health. She is an absolute machine. I love how calm she is as well. This colony is definitely the calmest test tube one I have, they seem to barely care during checkups.

 

I wonder if the stress of the queen is influenced by the workers. I've had queens that are super calm in founding, but once workers show up, they instantly get more jumpy when checking on them. Maybe the workers have a higher stress level than the queen, which influences her? Or maybe she is simply more protective of her workers more than her brood? No idea.

 

Anyways, they have a massive egg pile right now. Although it is hard to see in the picture, there's a whole lot. There's also a good amount of brood, so I'm hoping to be one of the first to keep a big colony of these gals. I've seen nurbs' colony but nobody else's I've seen has really gotten too far past founding...so wish me luck!

 

 

Thanks for checking out my journal!

Edited by AntsCali098, June 5 2024 - 5:21 PM.

[AntsCali098]

It's been a while since I've updated my journals. This colony is still alive and well but growing slow. Their test tube ran out of water so I am moving them to a new one. One they outgrow the test tube (which will be soon) I'll move them into a double sided nest, with glass on each side.

The queen laid new eggs recently, and they have a bunch of brood of every stage and about 30 workers (most in the outworld that aren't pictured). With the new anting season, I hope to get inspired to update these more often, and I hope this colony continues to grow!

[Izzy]

Wow, not sure how I missed this journal. These are super cool. They look like little honey pot ants! I love golden ants, there is just something about them. I've got an Aphaenogaster uinta colony that is quickly moving up as one of my favorites. They seem like really fun genus. Excited to follow your progress with these.

[AntsCali098]

Izzy, on 12 Mar 2025 - 03:14 AM, said:

Wow, not sure how I missed this journal. These are super cool. They look like little honey pot ants! I love golden ants, there is just something about them. I've got an Aphaenogaster uinta colony that is quickly moving up as one of my favorites. They seem like really fun genus. Excited to follow your progress with these.

I'm really hoping I can grow these big. I love their colors as well

[AntsCali098]

I gave them a cricket last night, but they unfortunately still remain in their old tube, despite it being dry.

They brought the cricket in the nest and are eating this morning.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

Seeing how it’s a desert species, it probably doesn’t need humidity, instead they probably lick the brood with water that they got elsewhere that keeps the brood from drying up.

[Zhuge]

OwlThatLikesAnts, on 12 Mar 2025 - 4:55 PM, said:

Seeing how it’s a desert species, it probably doesn’t need humidity, instead they probably lick the brood with water that they got elsewhere that keeps the brood from drying up.

WOW i didn't know that. Very intresting!

[AntsCali098]

OwlThatLikesAnts, on 12 Mar 2025 - 4:55 PM, said:

Seeing how it’s a desert species, it probably doesn’t need humidity, instead they probably lick the brood with water that they got elsewhere that keeps the brood from drying up.

I didn't know that either! I think if they get it from elsewhere though, they still need a water source, so I think giving them a new one with water is probably more appealing to them. I also took the current tube off heat and heated the new one, so I think that should be enough to get them to eventually move.