13 replies to this topic

[Mannomorth]

After catching three queens during an insane (and late) nuptial flight they are now in their testing tubes and loving life.

All three were fertile and have produced several eggs, my favorite (being the most active and largest queen) have outproduced the other two by nearly double.

 

So far I've had no problem and the egg seem to grow steadily, some small black spots have emerged on the eggs.

My GroTube XL will soon be shipped so it will be nice to finally see that irl too.

 

Pictures will follow soon (not very exciting).

[Mannomorth]

So yeah, no pictures yet (my cell can't really do the macro). But I recieved the GrotubeXL with a large formicarium just an hour ago and I must say that its really lovely.

Now I just need to wait until nanitics and then introduce them to the grotube, I am very excited.

[antmaniac]

So yeah, no pictures yet (my cell can't really do the macro). But I recieved the GrotubeXL with a large formicarium just an hour ago and I must say that its really lovely.

Now I just need to wait until nanitics and then introduce them to the grotube, I am very excited.

Depends on what phone you have got. If you go to camera settings you can find macro function, which I did that for my Galaxy S3 phone.

[Mannomorth]

 

So yeah, no pictures yet (my cell can't really do the macro). But I recieved the GrotubeXL with a large formicarium just an hour ago and I must say that its really lovely.

Now I just need to wait until nanitics and then introduce them to the grotube, I am very excited.

Depends on what phone you have got. If you go to camera settings you can find macro function, which I did that for my Galaxy S3 phone.

 

Oh thanks. I've got a iphone 4s, will look for it

[antmaniac]

Also see if you can turn on the flash light at same time, use an app or something. Good lighting plays an important part too.

[Mannomorth]

I am having some trouble with the move of my Lasius Niger colony, they refuse to move into their formicarium even though I've had a 4w LED shining on then for over 24 hrs.

That isn't really that much of a bother since i know they can be quite stubborn, but what is worrying me is that they won't move at all, they are alive and well but for my very untrained eye they seem to go into hibernation (which would be fine but i

would much rather then do that in the formicarium)

 

Video

 

Edited by Mannomorth, November 20 2015 - 3:55 AM.

[drtrmiller]

I use a 60 watt incandescent bulb to move this species. Heat is more effective than visible light. A gooseneck lamp will help with positioning the bulb.

Start at 30 cm distance from the test tube, covering the GroTube with a dark cloth, and gradually bring the light/heat closer.

Do not leave them unattended during this process.

If the LED bulb is what I see in your picture, you might could get away with using it, but you'll need to have it almost touching the test tube because they give off so little heat. If you can comfortably touch it with your fingers, you'll know what I mean.

Edited by drtrmiller, November 20 2015 - 5:10 AM.

[Mdrogun]

Try using light that mimics the color of the sun. If I use a white LED my Tetramorium colony could not care less. If I use a light that is pretty close to the color of light the sun shines they really care and will move pretty fast.

[Mannomorth]

I'm sorry for late reply, my dear brother was in need of a computer.

 

Status right now, I'm preparing them for the big move (with heat) with some nectar which made them really energetic, so hopefully by tonight they would have moved

[drtrmiller]

Be very careful not to cook them.

[Mannomorth]

Success! As per suggestion by gun and miller I changed from LED to 40W bulb and it worked great.

 

I would say that both of you were spot on, right after I changed they got really distressed and that was at a distance of 40cm which I would argue be proof that the incandescent bulds wavelength mimics the sunrays better than the LED since it was quite far from the testtube with a low wattage buld.

The ants were still staying put so I lowered the lamp to 20cm (since I was using 40W and not 60W)

 

Now there was plenty of movement and some ants was rather forcefully insisting other members to check the formicarium out.

It wasnt long until the brood was moved and even though the queen was rather stubborn, the workers "convinced" her to move aswell.

 

It was nerveracking but very very exciting. Now they are exploring the formicarium and the forage area and simple settling in.

I couldn't be more pleased.

 

 

She ran back to the cottonplug right after I caught this video, she was being really stubborn and some workers pulled her so viciously that I honestly thought that they would tear her legs or antennas off.

 

 

 

 

Edited by Mannomorth, November 23 2015 - 1:15 AM.

[drtrmiller]

Congrats on the move!

 

Remind me to send you some liquid feeders so you can get rid of that oversized monstrosity.

Edited by drtrmiller, November 23 2015 - 6:44 AM.

[Mannomorth]

Congrats on the move!

 

Remind me to send you some liquid feeders so you can get rid of that oversized monstrosity.

Hahahaha yeah its a bit too big, I didn't even notice the size when i ordered it so I had to modify to even fit it in there

Tell me when/if you will because I'm pretty sure I want to order some of your blue formula at the same time.

[Gregory2455]

Very nice!