7 replies to this topic

[MyrmecologyMaven]

I just received a 2 queen colony of Brachymyrmex depilis from Ants_Dakota! They are in a Por Amor Cryptic Ant Insert with a refillable test tube! I really like the insert. I may have to experiment with making my own. I'm very excited to have this colony! I've had these on my wishlist for a while. I highly recommend Ants_Dakota! Customer service was excellent, shipping was great, and the ants are high quality! I also have to praise the ethics of Ants_Dakota! When the colony of Solenopsis molesta was found to have only 1 queen and no workers or brood he threw it in for free with no extra charge! I know some ant sellers who would ship it out anyways in such an unhealthy state. 

 

Sorry about the photo quality. I couldn't really get a good camera shot through the condensation from the test tube!

 

Brachymyrmex depilis

 

 

The full test tube setup with the darkness cover, cryptic ant insert, and test tube stand.

 

 

[Ants_Dakota]

I have to say that those colonies look amazing in that insert. I am really hopeful that it will provide an optimal condition for them to lay eggs, and honestly they look the healthiest I have seen them in those pictures, so good job!

Edited by Ants_Dakota, February 27 2025 - 6:34 AM.

[MyrmecologyMaven]

Sad update. The two queens had some eggs and a few tiny larvae when I checked on them a little less than 2 weeks ago. Today I found them both dead. I don't know what happened but it's a shame. I was really excited for this colony. I knew what I was getting myself into with this species but it's always disheartening to lose a colony. I'll have to try again if Ants_Dakota ever catches any more of them.

 

 

 

[bmb1bee]

That's unfortunate to hear. Wishing you luck on the next batch! I seem to have some luck with my experimental setup for the ones I got from Ants_Dakota a little while back, but I'll hold back from saying too much as I'm afraid of jinxing myself... Overall the main concern with keeping them should be humidity. The setup should be damp, but not enough for them to drown in. Additionally, I find that heating with an incubator really helps them develop faster, as they'll likely have worse founding rates without heat. Feeding the queens tiny drops of sugars should also be beneficial, since they'll need the energy.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

Sad update. The two queens had some eggs and a few tiny larvae when I checked on them a little less than 2 weeks ago. Today I found them both dead. I don't know what happened but it's a shame. I was really excited for this colony. I knew what I was getting myself into with this species but it's always disheartening to lose a colony. I'll have to try again if Ants_Dakota ever catches any more 

Yeah, I always wanted this species (we have it here and I used to have a queen but she died the same way as yours) but it’s sad they died… Have many people ever founded this species and grew them to a large number?

[Ants_Dakota]

Sad update. The two queens had some eggs and a few tiny larvae when I checked on them a little less than 2 weeks ago. Today I found them both dead. I don't know what happened but it's a shame. I was really excited for this colony. I knew what I was getting myself into with this species but it's always disheartening to lose a colony. I'll have to try again if Ants_Dakota ever catches any more

Yeah, I always wanted this species (we have it here and I used to have a queen but she died the same way as yours) but it’s sad they died… Have many people ever founded this species and grew them to a large number?

The only person I know of through my research on them to have gotten a colony to workers is rptraut, although he may have caught the colony from the wild.

[rptraut]

Hello Everyone;

 

MyrmecologyMaven, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your Brachymyrmex depilis queens.   After reading these posts, I took my B. depilis colony out of their winter storage in my root cellar two days ago.   The temperature was 9.3 C (49 F) so it'll probably take them a few days to liven up.   This colony was doing well last fall, taking protein and finally, sealing up most of their entrances as the temperatures cooled and they slowed down for winter.   

 

This colony originally started as a small colony from my garden, but I always suspected that I didn't have the queen.   So, I added more queens (three I think) to the setup, hoping one of them would be successful.   I did see nanitic sized workers that first season, and last year, their second season, they took protein well and I saw more workers and feeding activity than ever before.   They're in a natural setup and it's almost impossible to find their brood in the myriad of holes and pockets in the substrate.   They also muddy the walls of their nest making viewing difficult as well.   You can read more details in my Journal located here     RPT's Journal - Page 4 - Ant Keeping Journals - Ants & Myrmecology Forum 

RPT

[MyrmecologyMaven]

Hello Everyone;

 

MyrmecologyMaven, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your Brachymyrmex depilis queens.   After reading these posts, I took my B. depilis colony out of their winter storage in my root cellar two days ago.   The temperature was 9.3 C (49 F) so it'll probably take them a few days to liven up.   This colony was doing well last fall, taking protein and finally, sealing up most of their entrances as the temperatures cooled and they slowed down for winter.   

 

This colony originally started as a small colony from my garden, but I always suspected that I didn't have the queen.   So, I added more queens (three I think) to the setup, hoping one of them would be successful.   I did see nanitic sized workers that first season, and last year, their second season, they took protein well and I saw more workers and feeding activity than ever before.   They're in a natural setup and it's almost impossible to find their brood in the myriad of holes and pockets in the substrate.   They also muddy the walls of their nest making viewing difficult as well.   You can read more details in my Journal located here     RPT's Journal - Page 4 - Ant Keeping Journals - Ants & Myrmecology Forum

RPT

I have read your journal and enjoyed it thoroughly. Your journal is the only thread of success with this species I can find. I hope to see updates of your colony soon and learn more for my next attempt with this species!