25 replies to this topic

[Artisan_Ants]

So last year, in June of 2023 my friend went on vacation, and had a C. chromaiodes queen with all pupae. As the months passed, the pupae developed further and further until on July 2nd 2023, the first worker was exposed. In the following months, the colony grew and grew until now, where they have 22 workers, and some huge larvae (more likely workers but hopefully one of them is a major). The queen is currently named queen Garnet for her deep shapes of red below her thorax and on the tip of her abdomen right before the last petiole (you’ll see what I mean if you look at a picture of a queen or alate).

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

So last year, in June of 2023 my friend went on vacation, and had a C. chromaiodes queen with all pupae. As the months passed, the pupae developed further and further until on July 2nd 2023, the first worker was exposed. In the following months, the colony grew and grew until now, where they have 22 workers, and some huge larvae (more likely workers but hopefully one of them is a major). The queen is currently named queen Garnet for her deep shapes of red below her thorax and on the tip of her abdomen right before the last petiole (you’ll see what I mean if you look at a picture of a queen or alate).

I only got my first major at 55 workers.

[Artisan_Ants]

So last year, in June of 2023 my friend went on vacation, and had a C. chromaiodes queen with all pupae. As the months passed, the pupae developed further and further until on July 2nd 2023, the first worker was exposed. In the following months, the colony grew and grew until now, where they have 22 workers, and some huge larvae (more likely workers but hopefully one of them is a major). The queen is currently named queen Garnet for her deep shapes of red below her thorax and on the tip of her abdomen right before the last petiole (you’ll see what I mean if you look at a picture of a queen or alate).

I only got my first major at 55 workers.

Oh wow. Yeah I was thinking that they would only get majors at like 50–100 workers. Though I am happy that I’m seeing some minors in there, so I’m sure the time is slowly coming. By the end of this year, I’ll at least have 5 majors running around in their Mini Hearth.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Maybe it is a median?

[Artisan_Ants]

Maybe it is a median?

No because medians are too big for the workers (or minors which can still be classified as “VIP” workers) I’m describing.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Right.

[Artisan_Ants]

Here are couple pics of the colony

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Edited by Artisan_Ants, March 5 2024 - 12:46 PM.

[Artisan_Ants]

There is some nice plump brood, that will likely pupate soon (at least by next week) and a worker behind where the big brood is holding some new eggs.

[Artisan_Ants]

Absolutely beautiful worker who decided to take a peek the moment I came check on them (in the nesting space without light). She has only been drinking that sugar water for 3 minutes, and her abdomen is already full of it. Man, I’m just so excited to see this colony grow this year.

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[Artisan_Ants]

A lot has changed with this colony in the past two weeks. First of all, the queen is 2x more physogastric than the last few pics. Another thing to note in that there is much more brood present (especially eggs) and much larger brood. By the next two weeks, we’ll definitely have some pupae, and possibly some new workers. I am looking for some sort of heat source for these guys (any recommendations?) as I want them to be in at least the 60s or 70s in population by the end of this year. Other than that though, this colony is very strong and healthy.

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[GOCAMPONOTUS]

I would get a 11.5 Ft zoo med cable

[Artisan_Ants]

I would get a 11.5 Ft zoo med cable

Thanks for the info GOCAMPONOTUS. I knew that those would be the best choice as they don’t take up too much space like heating mats (plus you only use the side of heating mats to heat your colonies). Do you think a heat pack would work? (Like the ones you use for when you get hurt). Once again though, thanks for the info!

[Artisan_Ants]

I got a very good look at the colony today. They have 8 large larvae and a very healthy brood pile with some very recent eggs (from at least 4 or 2 days ago).

[Artisan_Ants]

So if I have a 12 volt lamp that I currently owned before, and I’m using that to heat my ants. It has three settings which are low, medium, and high, where high produces around 91 degrees Fahrenheit which means a perfect for these guys. Now Ik that I shouldn’t put heat directly above the water source but that is what I have done but just a little differently. Instead, I put the heat behind the water tanner the opening to fill the tank. Yes it does create some humidity, but the ants don’t really mind. And plus, there’s substrate at the bottom which can soak it up, so it’s no biggie. 3 larvae are pretty big, and are looking ready to pupate fairly soon. Hopefully by Saturday or this week or sooner. We’ll just have to wait and see!

Edited by Artisan_Ants, March 21 2024 - 12:28 PM.

[Artisan_Ants]

First larvae after 3 weeks has finally pupated. She must have pupated over last night. There is another large larvae that will also pupate soon. Really can’t wait to see how many pupae there will be in the next few days!

[Artisan_Ants]

Amazing. There are three new pupae and I believe more are to come! Two of them are small pupae which means that they are probably worker pupae. But one of them seems to be bigger than the others. Perhaps a minor? Maybe even a median which would be better honestly. Pics coming soon.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

Well workers get bigger as the colony grows so i could be a large minor or if you are lucky a median.

[Artisan_Ants]

Its happening fast, and oh I mean fast! We have of those eight large larvae, three are in pre-pupal stage on the day of this message; and four are pupae. This brings it to a total of seven pupae which is amazing! There is one more larvae that is fairly big (bigger than the rest which are in their second stage and are still with the egg pile) that hasn’t pupated which makes sense due to their size. I will post pics later today as it’s been quite some time.

[Artisan_Ants]

Yesterday, the last larvae has pupated! We now have a total of 8 pupae ending about the fourth or fifth generation of worker ants (with many more minors to come!). I believe that the next set will have at least one median. I’m hoping. We’ll have to wait and see!

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Edited by Artisan_Ants, March 29 2024 - 7:25 AM.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

yay!