57 replies to this topic

[bmb1bee]

I added a THA genesis test tube insert so they would have a mix between dirt and a test tube.

Honestly, dirt of any kind isn’t even necessary for these. If I were you I’d go for something like a tubs and tubes setup with a heat mat on one end and just leave them be for a few weeks, aside from if you want to offer insect proteins or fish flakes.

[AntsGodzilla]

I'll wait until the tube loses a little more water, it is more full than it seems.

[Ants_Dakota]

 

I added a THA genesis test tube insert so they would have a mix between dirt and a test tube.

Honestly, dirt of any kind isn’t even necessary for these. If I were you I’d go for something like a tubs and tubes setup with a heat mat on one end and just leave them be for a few weeks, aside from if you want to offer insect proteins or fish flakes.

 

Although dirt is not necessary for the founding of Pogonomyrmex, observational data recorded by Utah Ants found here seems to suggest otherwise.

Edited by Ants_Dakota, October 9 2024 - 10:08 AM.

[RushmoreAnts]

Indeed, and Pogonomyrmex have issues climbing and moving across smooth surfaces. A substrate-less test tube for them would be like your whole house's flooring being wet, slippery bathroom tiling and you wear socks all the time: a head injury waiting to happen.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

Indeed, and Pogonomyrmex have issues climbing and moving across smooth surfaces. A substrate-less test tube for them would be like your whole house's flooring being wet, slippery bathroom tiling and you wear socks all the time: a head injury waiting to happen.

That is true and reading that research post, it states that nests made out of dirt had a WAY better founding chance and one of the first thing that kills this species is that fact that they have low traction on flat surfaces.

[kiedeerk]

Indeed, and Pogonomyrmex have issues climbing and moving across smooth surfaces. A substrate-less test tube for them would be like your whole house's flooring being wet, slippery bathroom tiling and you wear socks all the time: a head injury waiting to happen.

That is true and reading that research post, it states that nests made out of dirt had a WAY better founding chance and one of the first thing that kills this species is that fact that they have low traction on flat surfaces.

I wouldn’t use that Utah ant post as the Bible. It can only be described as an observation and not lead to causation since it’s not a randomized controlled study. We also don’t know how many queens were involved in his observational study. there are just way too many factors involved. You can only conclude that using dirt box is a viable way to found pogonomyrmex. I have founded many Pogonomyrmex in just plain test tubes and they do fine. I think more important is heat and humidity level and secondary is having substrate or not.

[bmb1bee]

I won't argue that dirt can possibly benefit queens; all I was saying was that it wasn't a necessity as they can do just fine in plain tubes. Since keepers usually add a layer of seeds to the bottom of the tube, there is usually some amount of traction. It's also worth mentioning that P. rugosus and other species within the barbatus group are rather good at climbing compared to other Pogonomyrmex species.

Edited by bmb1bee, October 8 2024 - 7:00 PM.

[Ants_Dakota]

 

 

Indeed, and Pogonomyrmex have issues climbing and moving across smooth surfaces. A substrate-less test tube for them would be like your whole house's flooring being wet, slippery bathroom tiling and you wear socks all the time: a head injury waiting to happen.

That is true and reading that research post, it states that nests made out of dirt had a WAY better founding chance and one of the first thing that kills this species is that fact that they have low traction on flat surfaces.

I wouldn’t use that Utah ant post as the Bible. It can only be described as an observation and not lead to causation since it’s not a randomized controlled study. We also don’t know how many queens were involved in his observational study. there are just way too many factors involved. You can only conclude that using dirt box is a viable way to found pogonomyrmex. I have founded many Pogonomyrmex in just plain test tubes and they do fine. I think more important is heat and humidity level and secondary is having substrate or not.

 

While I agree with this, there are two different time samples in this pseudoscientific experiment, and he is a bulk distributor here on Formiculture. I am not using his post as an Ant Bible, however there is no research countering it. If you could observe and give percentages as to how many of your queens did fine, then I would be less likely to reference Utah Ants post about the success of dirt setups. Did you measure the heat level you kept your ants at? 

Edited by Ants_Dakota, October 9 2024 - 4:41 AM.

[kiedeerk]

Indeed, and Pogonomyrmex have issues climbing and moving across smooth surfaces. A substrate-less test tube for them would be like your whole house's flooring being wet, slippery bathroom tiling and you wear socks all the time: a head injury waiting to happen.

That is true and reading that research post, it states that nests made out of dirt had a WAY better founding chance and one of the first thing that kills this species is that fact that they have low traction on flat surfaces.

I wouldn’t use that Utah ant post as the Bible. It can only be described as an observation and not lead to causation since it’s not a randomized controlled study. We also don’t know how many queens were involved in his observational study. there are just way too many factors involved. You can only conclude that using dirt box is a viable way to found pogonomyrmex. I have founded many Pogonomyrmex in just plain test tubes and they do fine. I think more important is heat and humidity level and secondary is having substrate or not.

While I agree with this, there are two different time samples in this pseudoscientific experiment, and he is a bulk distributor here on Formiculture. I am not using his post as an Ant Bible, however there is no research countering it. If you could observe and give percentages as to how many of your queens did fine, then I would be less likely to reference Utah Ants post about the success of dirt setups. Did you measure the heat level you kept your ants at?

As mentioned earlier, there are just too many factors involved. Dirt box set up is probably different than a test tube with dirt in it. That needs to be tested. What is the benefit of dirt set up? Is it the substrate that allows the queens to grip or that it mimics natural environment? Test tube by far is the best for providing constant temp and humidity levels. You will need to ask other bulk distributors what their successes are. Majority if not all distributors found Pogonomyrmex in test tubes. there are many down sides to dirt box set ups compared to test tubes: unless you are from an area with native Pogonomyrmex, the dirt you are going to use is probably not ideal. The wetness of the dirt and how often do you need to water the dirt. The tunnels and chambers are prone to collapse killing the queen. You will have to move them out of the dirt box once they found. Shipping ants in dirt box or even in test tube with substrate is highly dangerous etc….

[1tsm3jack]

I love how this journal has just turned into people arguing over weather Pogonomyrmex's need soil or not, make a seperate topic if this is really that important to yall

Edited by 1tsm3jack, October 9 2024 - 7:50 AM.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

 

 

 

 

Indeed, and Pogonomyrmex have issues climbing and moving across smooth surfaces. A substrate-less test tube for them would be like your whole house's flooring being wet, slippery bathroom tiling and you wear socks all the time: a head injury waiting to happen.

That is true and reading that research post, it states that nests made out of dirt had a WAY better founding chance and one of the first thing that kills this species is that fact that they have low traction on flat surfaces.

I wouldn’t use that Utah ant post as the Bible. It can only be described as an observation and not lead to causation since it’s not a randomized controlled study. We also don’t know how many queens were involved in his observational study. there are just way too many factors involved. You can only conclude that using dirt box is a viable way to found pogonomyrmex. I have founded many Pogonomyrmex in just plain test tubes and they do fine. I think more important is heat and humidity level and secondary is having substrate or not.

While I agree with this, there are two different time samples in this pseudoscientific experiment, and he is a bulk distributor here on Formiculture. I am not using his post as an Ant Bible, however there is no research countering it. If you could observe and give percentages as to how many of your queens did fine, then I would be less likely to reference Utah Ants post about the success of dirt setups. Did you measure the heat level you kept your ants at?

As mentioned earlier, there are just too many factors involved. Dirt box set up is probably different than a test tube with dirt in it. That needs to be tested. What is the benefit of dirt set up? Is it the substrate that allows the queens to grip or that it mimics natural environment? Test tube by far is the best for providing constant temp and humidity levels. You will need to ask other bulk distributors what their successes are. Majority if not all distributors found Pogonomyrmex in test tubes. there are many down sides to dirt box set ups compared to test tubes: unless you are from an area with native Pogonomyrmex, the dirt you are going to use is probably not ideal. The wetness of the dirt and how often do you need to water the dirt. The tunnels and chambers are prone to collapse killing the queen. You will have to move them out of the dirt box once they found. Shipping ants in dirt box or even in test tube with substrate is highly dangerous etc….

 

I mean what made you interpret my post into ant bible (let’s put this aside) also in the post that Utah ants made said to mix the dirt into a loam for it not to collapse another thing he said was that it does have varying humidity but it was fine and did not really affect it. Plus Utah ants had an army of Pogonomyrmex in some of the pictures he posts, so I think that those percentages he has there are correct. another thing it that he even used his “dirt box” for other species.

 

But contrary to this is that you have a big colony of Pogonomyrmex and messors in your journal and that you are definitely not a beginner and you definitely have experience with them, but I guess a test tube can be a horizontal version of the “dirt box” and I do not see any problems with dirt in a test tube.

(I am not trying to be aggressive)

 

(why are we arguing about dirt in the first place, it’s just dirt)

[Ants_Dakota]

 

 

 

 

Indeed, and Pogonomyrmex have issues climbing and moving across smooth surfaces. A substrate-less test tube for them would be like your whole house's flooring being wet, slippery bathroom tiling and you wear socks all the time: a head injury waiting to happen.

That is true and reading that research post, it states that nests made out of dirt had a WAY better founding chance and one of the first thing that kills this species is that fact that they have low traction on flat surfaces.

I wouldn’t use that Utah ant post as the Bible. It can only be described as an observation and not lead to causation since it’s not a randomized controlled study. We also don’t know how many queens were involved in his observational study. there are just way too many factors involved. You can only conclude that using dirt box is a viable way to found pogonomyrmex. I have founded many Pogonomyrmex in just plain test tubes and they do fine. I think more important is heat and humidity level and secondary is having substrate or not.

While I agree with this, there are two different time samples in this pseudoscientific experiment, and he is a bulk distributor here on Formiculture. I am not using his post as an Ant Bible, however there is no research countering it. If you could observe and give percentages as to how many of your queens did fine, then I would be less likely to reference Utah Ants post about the success of dirt setups. Did you measure the heat level you kept your ants at?

As mentioned earlier, there are just too many factors involved. Dirt box set up is probably different than a test tube with dirt in it. That needs to be tested. What is the benefit of dirt set up? Is it the substrate that allows the queens to grip or that it mimics natural environment? Test tube by far is the best for providing constant temp and humidity levels. You will need to ask other bulk distributors what their successes are. Majority if not all distributors found Pogonomyrmex in test tubes. there are many down sides to dirt box set ups compared to test tubes: unless you are from an area with native Pogonomyrmex, the dirt you are going to use is probably not ideal. The wetness of the dirt and how often do you need to water the dirt. The tunnels and chambers are prone to collapse killing the queen. You will have to move them out of the dirt box once they found. Shipping ants in dirt box or even in test tube with substrate is highly dangerous etc….

 

Here is where I am confused. You claim that test tubes are just as good at holding Pogonomyrmex, yet are shifting the burden of proof of proving otherwise onto others. Although I agree with you respectfully that there are a lot of variables and that the information in Utah Ants post is not a research report, I think it holds merit, and here is why.
To eliminate variables, we are comparing a fully dirt setup as he used to a test tube with no substrate.
You firstly mention that test tubes are the best for control (temperature and humidity) which I completely agree with. It is easy to control as well as see the development inside.
Then you mention that someone needs to ask more bulk distributors about their success rates, and if they are low, as they use test tube setups. I have a couple of responses here. A phenomenal example of die-off rates from a bulk distributor using test tubes can be found here. These statistics closely mirror the high initial die-offs experienced by Utah Ants with test tubes, although they cover a different species, so I agree with you that more research needs to be done. Secondly, all I wanted to know is what you think your success rate was for the test tube setup, knowing that you have kept ants for a long period. Did you also have these initial die-offs, and approximately what percent? Was your success rate close to the 80% mark?
Nonnative dirt is a valid concern, I agree with you there. However you list a long list of variables after this that need to be accounted for (some of which Utah Ants talks about by the way). Pointing out variables that need to be taken into account does not make up for the fact that Utah Ants has 2 years of data and you have not mentioned any.

I in no way wish to argue with you on this thread, however, I believe that data, even if it is not perfect, is important, which is why I mentioned it above.
Edit: in rereading my initial post, I could have worded it better to imply that dirt could improve the setup of pogonomyrmex, and is not necessary for it; perhaps this changes your response?

Edited by Ants_Dakota, October 9 2024 - 10:07 AM.

[kiedeerk]

I’m not going to argue with those who think the dirt box is better or test tube is better but many have been founding with test tube set up without issues for many many years. Both are valid ways of founding Pogonomyrmex. Dirt boxes have way too many variables that is not well suited for beginner ant keepers. I don’t live in a state where Pogonomyrmex is native or else I would be happy to do some research but out of 10-20 Pogonomyrmex queens I found I never had issues with them in test tubes.


Back to OP journal, his queen founded fine to 40 workers then collapsed after he moved them into a massive nest. The cause isn’t dirt and likely heat and humidity or something he fed them

[AntsGodzilla]

The only thing I've fed them is kentucky blue grass and petsmart fruit flies, they have a heating cable, and chambers with a wide variety of humidity.

[AntsGodzilla]

(Update 10/14/2024)

 

FINALLY GOOD NEWS!!! 

After a massive die off and two stressful moves, they once again have brood!!! They are finally eating their real food, kentucky blue grass seeds, instead of their brood. I was beginning to think that this was the end of the colony, but the sight of new brood has given me hope.

 

 

 

 

 

(Idk if you can see the eggs, but they are under the worker)

[AntsGodzilla]

It's been four or so weeks now, and now there are pupa! That means in a few short weeks, there will be a new worker!

 

Edited by AntsGodzilla, November 11 2024 - 4:03 PM.

[kiedeerk]

Are you heating them? You need to heat them to like 80-85 constant and feed them protein instead of seeds. They really need to start producing workers or else these nanitics will die before new workers arrive at this rate. Don’t see much brood to be honest. It’s not looking great for this colony.

[AntsGodzilla]

They have a heating cable directly on the other side or the container. I fed them fruit flies an hour ago.