2 replies to this topic

[Royaleron]

Hello everyone,

 

I recently purchased a Myrmecocystus mimicus colony from a store in Germany. I placed the order in mid-December and received the colony on January 2nd of this year. The colony arrived without any brood but included eight workers, which are quite small and might be pygmies.

 

Initially, I kept the colony at a temperature of approximately 27-30°C (81-86°F) for one week, housing them in a test tube setup within an arena, supplemented with a heating mat. Observing no brood development, and after discussions on a German ant-keeping Discord server, I decided to induce a light winter rest by maintaining the colony at 17-18°C (63-64°F) for four weeks.

 

Ten days ago, I returned the colony to room temperature (22°C or 72°F). Three days ago, I reactivated the heating mat and today positioned the test tube closer to it to provide the colony with additional warmth.

I have been feeding them regularly with crickets and mosquito larvae, along with small amounts of honeydew.

 

Despite these efforts, there is still no sign of brood. The seller suggests that I might be doing something wrong. Are there any recommendations from fellow ant keepers, especially those experienced with this species in the United States?

 

Notably, several ant keepers in Germany who purchased the same species from the same seller are reporting similar issues.

 

I would appreciate any advice or insights you can offer.

 

Thank you.

[kiedeerk]

As Europeans I would stay away from honeypots. They probably cost an arm and leg. They are very picky and sometimes unpredictable. The colony that they sell are all probably just not healthy colonies. Healthy colonies should have 50-100 workers by the end of the year with brood of all stages. Colonies received without any brood is already a big red flag.

Keep doing what you’re doing but sometimes there is nothing you can do to saving these colonies. There are too many stories of honeypot colonies slowly dying and never recovering on this server.

[mbullock42086]

IMO they knowingly sold you an infertile queen and simply tossed a bunch of wild-caught workers in with her.

 they will accept the workers really fast.