3 replies to this topic

[JimmyBruin]

Here we go folks, I think I'm ready for the crematogaster challenge...I have two queens with ~10 workers and brood coming my way later this week. My question is this...given that this species likes to roam, would it be at all beneficial to hook up the test tube to an old THA mini hearth I've got floating around? I know they're a small species and a regular mini hearth is probably too big for them at this stage (I wish I had a open bifurcated mini hearth). I'm considering just getting a tubs and tubes set up for these gals if y'all think my mini hearth idea is lame. I've read through AntDrew's and TennesseeAnts crematogaster cerasi journals, I'm hoping that some of their luck wears off on me. Thanks a lot folks, I always appreciate all your inputs!

[ANTdrew]

Are you certain the ants are C. lineolata? I ask because I think that species’ colonies are a much more manageable size than cerasi. In any case, I’d say just do a tub and tube setup until they get really big. A mini-hearth will last a quick growing colony maybe six weeks, so you need to think bigger.

[JimmyBruin]

I was told they are c lineolata and that colony sizes get around 5k...that's from buckeye myrmecology. I did some brief research and found that colonies are small, but that was only one source.
If the colonies are in fact small and manageable (a few hundred workers) a mini hearth might be fine for them, no?
Edit: added paragraph

Edited by JimmyBruin, Yesterday, 2:09 PM.

[JimmyBruin]

The more I think/read about it, I'm absolutely going to go with tubs and tubes. I think I was averse to it because I'm still kinda new at this hobby/fascination. But I'm actually pretty excited. Hopefully buckeye myrm. Was right about the colony size, but I'm open to what others think and their experiences in keeping them!