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crematogaster lineolata


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#1 Offline JimmyBruin - Posted March 24 2025 - 1:05 PM

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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!
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#2 Offline ANTdrew - Posted March 24 2025 - 1:15 PM

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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.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#3 Offline JimmyBruin - Posted March 24 2025 - 1:37 PM

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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, March 24 2025 - 2:09 PM.


#4 Offline JimmyBruin - Posted March 24 2025 - 2:48 PM

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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!
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#5 Offline rptraut - Posted March 26 2025 - 12:11 AM

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Hello JimmyBruin;

 

I'm just starting to keep Crematogaster ants as well and I've been chronicling their progress in my Journal located here    RPT's Journal - Page 4 - Ant Keeping Journals - Ants & Myrmecology Forum

 

 

 

 

I just posted this video to my Journal, and I post it here for those who may not normally read it.    There are other videos located there about this colony and the others that I keep.

RPT

 

 


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My father always said I had ants in my pants.

#6 Offline JimmyBruin - Posted March 26 2025 - 6:15 AM

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Thanks rptraut! Just read your journal, and I absolutely love it. Your homemade setups are so beautiful. I especially like the unexpected reflections and meditations. Certainly going to follow.
Thanks again ANTdrew, I think maybe I'm underestimating what these gals are capable of, even after having read your monster cerasi journal.
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