Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Owl’s Crematogaster journal

#crematogaster #divas #crematogaster cerasi #small ants #escape artists #canada

  • Please log in to reply
14 replies to this topic

#1 Offline OwlThatLikesAnts - Posted October 30 2024 - 6:57 AM

OwlThatLikesAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 223 posts

MY CREMATOGASTERS HAVE ARRIVED WHOHOOOO!

 

I came home from school yesterday only to find out that my Crematogaster cerasi colony that I have ordered from Canada Ant Colony has arrived, they are so cute and small and I am really impressed with the quality of the package he did. The queen is doing good and I have actually 6 workers instead of 5, which is nice. I am guessing that there was a pupa that enclosed recently because one of the workers were more of a brownish colour than the black workers, I have also noticed that the queen is wearing a larva!. I want to officially start this journal after diapause ends

 

IMG_2391.jpeg

the colony :)

 

IMG_2398.jpeg

Beautiful queen  :lol:

 

IMG_2402.jpeg

The queen is not a horse  :facepalm:


  • Karma, rptraut, AntsGodzilla and 1 other like this

Currently keeping:

 

1x Formica subsericea, (used to be polygynous) 15+ workers with 4 pupa (Idk why they still have)

1x Lasius umbratus, (Workers accepted) 5+ workers with host brood

1x Ponera pennsylvanica, just queen

 

As you watch your ants march, remember: every journey begins with a single step (or queen)-not just towards you, but towards a future woven by diligence and shared dreams - Me

 

(I lost braincells just to make this quote)


#2 Offline Artisan_Ants - Posted November 1 2024 - 5:05 PM

Artisan_Ants

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 401 posts
  • LocationChester County, PA

It's always nice to obtain a new colony! This reminds me of last year when I caught my two C. cerasi at aroud this time of the year. I miss them and their extremely fast workers (they died due to thirst cause I diapaused them last year, they laid eggs in March, raised workers until around June, and I went on vacation, and sadly, they were all dead due to test tube mold which means ad water and thirst). But yeah, it's definitley a good thing to hibernate them (it's far more stressful with founding queens though, as you never know what might happen to them at cold temps...). And when hibernating, make sure to keep them anywhere around the 40 degree range. Hope this colony does well! Looking forward to see an empire of these guys!


  • rptraut and 1tsm3jack like this

Keeping:

3x - S. molesta (colonies and single queen)                1x - C. nearcticus (founding but no eggs)   (y) New!

1x - C. chromaiodes (colony)                                       1x - C. subbarbatus (founding)  

1x - F. subsericea (founding)                                        1x - T. sessile (mega colony)

3x - P. imparis (colonies)  

2x - L. neoniger (founding)

 

Check out my C. nearcticus journal here: https://www.formicul...cticus-journal/

Check out my C. chromaiodes journal here: https://www.formicul...aiodes-journal/


#3 Offline OwlThatLikesAnts - Posted November 2 2024 - 4:56 AM

OwlThatLikesAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 223 posts

It's always nice to obtain a new colony! This reminds me of last year when I caught my two C. cerasi at aroud this time of the year. I miss them and their extremely fast workers (they died due to thirst cause I diapaused them last year, they laid eggs in March, raised workers until around June, and I went on vacation, and sadly, they were all dead due to test tube mold which means ad water and thirst). But yeah, it's definitley a good thing to hibernate them (it's far more stressful with founding queens though, as you never know what might happen to them at cold temps...). And when hibernating, make sure to keep them anywhere around the 40 degree range. Hope this colony does well! Looking forward to see an empire of these guys!

Me too! I love the fact that the workers are guarding the entrance like they are supposed to, and how they explore with their gasters up.

 

I also know that they ae able to live in dry nests, but they at least need drinking water to keep the larva moist.


  • Artisan_Ants and 1tsm3jack like this

Currently keeping:

 

1x Formica subsericea, (used to be polygynous) 15+ workers with 4 pupa (Idk why they still have)

1x Lasius umbratus, (Workers accepted) 5+ workers with host brood

1x Ponera pennsylvanica, just queen

 

As you watch your ants march, remember: every journey begins with a single step (or queen)-not just towards you, but towards a future woven by diligence and shared dreams - Me

 

(I lost braincells just to make this quote)


#4 Offline ANTdrew - Posted November 2 2024 - 6:37 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,943 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
This colony has very little workers for this late in the season. I’d actually recommend letting them grow longer on heat. Hibernation is not strictly needed for these ants.
  • rptraut, Artisan_Ants and 1tsm3jack like this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#5 Offline OwlThatLikesAnts - Posted November 3 2024 - 7:02 AM

OwlThatLikesAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 223 posts

This colony has very little workers for this late in the season. I’d actually recommend letting them grow longer on heat. Hibernation is not strictly needed for these ants.

Ohhhhh, no wonder they are so active, my Formica and my Lasius parasite have slowed down and have stopped growth, meanwhile, my Cremas are laying eggs and I thought that something is wrong

 

how long should I put them on heat because they have a small hibernation, should I put them in hibernation during December / Late November?


Currently keeping:

 

1x Formica subsericea, (used to be polygynous) 15+ workers with 4 pupa (Idk why they still have)

1x Lasius umbratus, (Workers accepted) 5+ workers with host brood

1x Ponera pennsylvanica, just queen

 

As you watch your ants march, remember: every journey begins with a single step (or queen)-not just towards you, but towards a future woven by diligence and shared dreams - Me

 

(I lost braincells just to make this quote)


#6 Offline ANTdrew - Posted November 3 2024 - 7:33 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,943 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
It’s entirely up to you. You could keep them going all winter if you want. Do a proper hibernation next season once they have a solid population.
  • Artisan_Ants likes this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#7 Offline OwlThatLikesAnts - Posted November 3 2024 - 8:50 AM

OwlThatLikesAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 223 posts

It’s entirely up to you. You could keep them going all winter if you want. Do a proper hibernation next season once they have a solid population.

Ok, because I really think that they don't need one right now because of how they are very active


Currently keeping:

 

1x Formica subsericea, (used to be polygynous) 15+ workers with 4 pupa (Idk why they still have)

1x Lasius umbratus, (Workers accepted) 5+ workers with host brood

1x Ponera pennsylvanica, just queen

 

As you watch your ants march, remember: every journey begins with a single step (or queen)-not just towards you, but towards a future woven by diligence and shared dreams - Me

 

(I lost braincells just to make this quote)


#8 Offline ANTdrew - Posted November 3 2024 - 9:04 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,943 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
Crematogaster colonies I raise usually have several hundred workers by this point in the year. They hit six workers in the first week after nanitics arrive. This colony seems like it has been severely neglected. It will need a lot of TLC to get back to where it should be.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#9 Offline OwlThatLikesAnts - Posted November 3 2024 - 3:14 PM

OwlThatLikesAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 223 posts

Crematogaster colonies I raise usually have several hundred workers by this point in the year. They hit six workers in the first week after nanitics arrive. This colony seems like it has been severely neglected. It will need a lot of TLC to get back to where it should be.

Hmmm, ok, I guess extra attention for them! ( I was going to give them extra attention but I was scared that they would not eat all of the food I give)

They are not hungry right now because they have only one larva and a few eggs


  • AntsGodzilla and 1tsm3jack like this

Currently keeping:

 

1x Formica subsericea, (used to be polygynous) 15+ workers with 4 pupa (Idk why they still have)

1x Lasius umbratus, (Workers accepted) 5+ workers with host brood

1x Ponera pennsylvanica, just queen

 

As you watch your ants march, remember: every journey begins with a single step (or queen)-not just towards you, but towards a future woven by diligence and shared dreams - Me

 

(I lost braincells just to make this quote)


#10 Offline OwlThatLikesAnts - Posted November 7 2024 - 6:35 AM

OwlThatLikesAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 223 posts

Ok, so the workers and the queen have now slowed down and are huddling together in a circle, what do I do, should I put them in hibernation, AntDrew said that I could keep them going for the whole winter but they only laid one extra egg ever since I have got them.

 

They also stopped accepting the food I give them and have stopped guarding the entrance and doing "crematogaster" things all together.


Edited by OwlThatLikesAnts, November 7 2024 - 6:36 AM.

  • 1tsm3jack likes this

Currently keeping:

 

1x Formica subsericea, (used to be polygynous) 15+ workers with 4 pupa (Idk why they still have)

1x Lasius umbratus, (Workers accepted) 5+ workers with host brood

1x Ponera pennsylvanica, just queen

 

As you watch your ants march, remember: every journey begins with a single step (or queen)-not just towards you, but towards a future woven by diligence and shared dreams - Me

 

(I lost braincells just to make this quote)


#11 Offline 1tsm3jack - Posted November 7 2024 - 6:49 AM

1tsm3jack

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 251 posts
  • LocationCharlottesville, VA
You could hibernate them, but I’m pretty sure that fridge temps aren’t really good for them, if I’m wrong ANTdrew will correct me but I’m pretty sure you can just take them off heat and put them in maybe a slightly colder room in your house.

#12 Offline OwlThatLikesAnts - Posted November 7 2024 - 9:09 AM

OwlThatLikesAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 223 posts

You could hibernate them, but I’m pretty sure that fridge temps aren’t really good for them, if I’m wrong ANTdrew will correct me but I’m pretty sure you can just take them off heat and put them in maybe a slightly colder room in your house.

They are not on heat, I do not have any heating sources because I use sunlight to heat them up, but recently the room was getting colder and they did not mind it, but now it is warmer again and they are starting to slow down

 

also, I put my ants in my garage for hibernation


Edited by OwlThatLikesAnts, November 7 2024 - 9:10 AM.

  • 1tsm3jack likes this

Currently keeping:

 

1x Formica subsericea, (used to be polygynous) 15+ workers with 4 pupa (Idk why they still have)

1x Lasius umbratus, (Workers accepted) 5+ workers with host brood

1x Ponera pennsylvanica, just queen

 

As you watch your ants march, remember: every journey begins with a single step (or queen)-not just towards you, but towards a future woven by diligence and shared dreams - Me

 

(I lost braincells just to make this quote)


#13 Offline ANTdrew - Posted November 7 2024 - 12:00 PM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,943 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
You will need an artificial heat source to keep them active through winter. If you don’t have one, go ahead and hibernate them. 45-50 degrees is a good temperature range, but they are quite cold hardy.
  • Artisan_Ants likes this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#14 Offline OwlThatLikesAnts - Posted November 7 2024 - 1:30 PM

OwlThatLikesAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 223 posts

You will need an artificial heat source to keep them active through winter. If you don’t have one, go ahead and hibernate them. 45-50 degrees is a good temperature range, but they are quite cold hardy.

ok Thanks


Currently keeping:

 

1x Formica subsericea, (used to be polygynous) 15+ workers with 4 pupa (Idk why they still have)

1x Lasius umbratus, (Workers accepted) 5+ workers with host brood

1x Ponera pennsylvanica, just queen

 

As you watch your ants march, remember: every journey begins with a single step (or queen)-not just towards you, but towards a future woven by diligence and shared dreams - Me

 

(I lost braincells just to make this quote)


#15 Offline OwlThatLikesAnts - Posted November 15 2024 - 8:21 AM

OwlThatLikesAnts

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 223 posts

So I have followed Ant Drew’s advice and they really don’t care about not having a diapause, the queen really enjoys guarding the nest entrance but she gets scared every time I put my tweezers in there to clean garbage.

She was also laying eggs but not many because of how she was guarding the entrance, but recently she decided not to be a timid security guard and to go into the the test tube and shred the cotton and by doing that she decided that she would lay way more eggs. Now there are 3 times more eggs than before, I think that some larva have finally hatched but I am unsure.

Other than that the colony is doing very good.

 

(I will post pictures later, for I need to take some)


Currently keeping:

 

1x Formica subsericea, (used to be polygynous) 15+ workers with 4 pupa (Idk why they still have)

1x Lasius umbratus, (Workers accepted) 5+ workers with host brood

1x Ponera pennsylvanica, just queen

 

As you watch your ants march, remember: every journey begins with a single step (or queen)-not just towards you, but towards a future woven by diligence and shared dreams - Me

 

(I lost braincells just to make this quote)





0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users