10 replies to this topic

[speanut]

Can anyone tell me what kind of ants these are? Also is that a queen near the top? And I am assuming those are eggs?
Any info would be helpful. My son wants to try catching them and creating a large aquarium for them.

 

Thanks

[Stubyvast]

Camponotus Modoc for sure! It's hard to tell from the distance of this photo, but possibly yes, the large one is a queen. I would suggest capturing as much as you can, and bring the brood too, but be very careful handling them, they are super delicate. Those are Pupae, cocooned to protect themselves while they finish developing. They will hatch into workers pretty soon. An aquarium set-up is probably not ideal for this species, unless they have some old wood to dig into. However, a test-tube set up could work for starters, until the colony is too large. If your son wants to try it out, good luck to him! Ant keeping is a lot of fun. lots of good advice on this forum!

 

I would suggest, however, that he starts by catching a single, mated queen after her nuptial flight. That way you can watch all the stages of an ant colony's growth, from just a few workers to thousands! 

Good luck!

[speanut]

Thank you very much for the information. I think for now we'll leave them be and just keep an eye on them until we find out more information. I've been going through posts on here and you are right there are so many helpful posts. Thanks again

 

 

Camponotus Modoc for sure! It's hard to tell from the distance of this photo, but possibly yes, the large one is a queen. I would suggest capturing as much as you can, and bring the brood too, but be very careful handling them, they are super delicate. Those are Pupae, cocooned to protect themselves while they finish developing. They will hatch into workers pretty soon. An aquarium set-up is probably not ideal for this species, unless they have some old wood to dig into. However, a test-tube set up could work for starters, until the colony is too large. If your son wants to try it out, good luck to him! Ant keeping is a lot of fun. lots of good advice on this forum!

 

I would suggest, however, that he starts by catching a single, mated queen after her nuptial flight. That way you can watch all the stages of an ant colony's growth, from just a few workers to thousands! 

Good luck!

 

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

I agree on modoc  exept  for the legs.and like stubyvast said get as much brood and workers as you can. But it does seem to be a big colony so i would make a tub and tubes set up with lots of-test tubes.

Edited by GOCAMPONOTUS, June 18 2024 - 8:17 AM.

[ReignofRage]

What's the locale of the ants? The legs look rather black to be C. modoc.
 

Let's gloss over GOCAMPONOTUS editing his post to include "exept  for the legs" after I posted this.

Edited by ReignofRage, June 18 2024 - 5:45 PM.

[Stubyvast]

Hmm yes I was thinking about that, seemed a bit odd...what other Camponotus has such dark legs? 

[speanut]

What's the locale of the ants? The legs look rather black to be C. modoc.

Located in Ontario, Canada.

[ReignofRage]

That is most likely Camponotus pennsylvanicus, then.

[GOCAMPONOTUS]

i agree

[ZATrippit]

I'd give him the benefit of the doubt-- perhaps his wifi didn't let the edit go through until after you left that comment

Let's gloss over GOCAMPONOTUS editing his post to include "exept for the legs" after I posted this.

[ReignofRage]

I'd give him the benefit of the doubt-- perhaps his wifi didn't let the edit go through until after you left that comment

 

He has done it more than once. It's more than a coincidence by this point, haha.