35 replies to this topic

[iXvXi]

I'm going to play around with mount locations. Ultimately, i'd like to have the whole outworld in the field of view if I can; and a second camera for the grow tube, if I can get it fit reasonably well in the stream.

 

Thanks though! figured I'd put it up even though i'm not satisfied with it just yet.

[iXvXi]

Update: The amount of brood colony 1 has is pretty astounding. The pile is well over double the size of the queen. No cocoons yet but there are a few larvae that are quite large!

They are attending the brood very well!

[iXvXi]

Colony 1: 3 workers died while I was away on vacation. I believe my friend that was taking care of them, let the nest get too dry and they got dehydrated.

Brood still seems to be doing great, with 1 larvae being bigger than the current workers. Quite a few cocoons aswell.

Colony 2: Brood seems to be developing in quantity.

Edited by iXvXi, March 1 2016 - 1:16 PM.

[iXvXi]

As of today there is a 3rd colony. My buddy found a Camponotus Pennsylvanicus colony in a log while splitting wood. To my surprise there are about 200 workers. Lots of majors! Not a whole lot of brood was overwintered, but that's expected.

I ordered the camponotus hybrid nest from antscanada (I hope it's large enough to house these) to hook up to my two 10 gallon tank outworlds I'm building.

Pictures to come! I got them late last night so haven't had much time to mess with them. That and I just got a new puppy yesterday also (bluenose pit).

Looking forward to owning a mature colony!

[Ants4fun]

Awesome! I love my Camponotus Pennsylvanicus. They are very personable ants. I haven't seen too many large colonies of Camponotus Pennsylvanicus, be sure to take lots of pictures.

[iXvXi]

Awesome! I love my Camponotus Pennsylvanicus. They are very personable ants. I haven't seen too many large colonies of Camponotus Pennsylvanicus, be sure to take lots of pictures.

Lots of pictures to follow! I'm hoping the nest comes in soon so I can get them out of the tank I need. The one tank is almost done thankfully.

This colony already drank a full byformica liquid feeder of ant nectar (4 ml I believe). The queens gaster was very descended so hopefully the workers feed her some nectar.

Edited by iXvXi, March 4 2016 - 3:27 PM.

[drtrmiller]

200 ml?! That's a whole big bottle.

[iXvXi]

200 ml?! That's a whole big bottle.

Oops! I meant 2ml. My phone thinks it knows better 😠. Amazon details says 4ml so I was wrong anyway.

[drtrmiller]

The new vials that were just released recently hold 4 ml, yes. I can definitely see a colony of 200 big ants requiring maybe 3-5 ml weekly.

I do have concerns about the hybrid nest you mentioned. I haven't seen them in person, but I do know the outside dimensions are only slightly larger than a GroTube. I would estimate it to be able to hold a few hundred, so you should be good for a few months at least.

Edited by drtrmiller, March 4 2016 - 3:28 PM.

[iXvXi]

The new vials that were just released recently hold 4 ml, yes. I can definitely see a colony of 200 big ants requiring maybe 3-5 ml weekly.

I do have concerns about the hybrid nest you mentioned. I haven't seen them in person, but I do know the outside dimensions are only slightly larger than a GroTube. I would estimate it to be able to hold a few hundred, so you should be good for a few months at least.

I had concerns also. I originally thought there was about 100 workers. That is until I counted 100 just on one side.

Normally I'd like to make something myself but they really need proper hydration. I was pretty unprepared also 😂.

Since I already ordered it, I was thinking I could get a second for a satellite nest. Would there be any concerns regarding split nests?

[drtrmiller]

The way they connect would not be considered a satellite nest.  It is good that they are expandable in that way, but I wouldn't think you need to take any action until the one you got is completely overflowing with ants.

[iXvXi]

The way they connect would not be considered a satellite nest. It is good that they are expandable in that way, but I wouldn't think you need to take any action until the one you got is completely overflowing with ants.

Ohh great. Thanks a bunch; I'm very appreciative for that information.

This colony will be getting my logitech webcam for the stream. Due to the size of the ants and numbers, I believe I'd be able to get the whole outworld into the field of view without sacrificing too much small details of the colony or empty unused space. I think a mealworm colony is also in order; I can't help but to think this many ants require large amount of resources to maintain their size in numbers.

[drtrmiller]

Camponotus species possess the endosymbiont Blochmannia that upconverts nutrients, so even diets lacking in certain things can be utilized.  I feed my largest Camponotus colony, which has 400-600 ants, a diet of 90% or more Sunburst Ant Nectar, and the rare cricket.

 

Purchase Sunburst Ant Nectar:
US Customers

EU Customers

Edited by drtrmiller, March 4 2016 - 4:10 PM.

[iXvXi]

Camponotus species possess the endosymbiont Blochmannia that upconverts nutrients, so even diets lacking in certain things can be utilized. I feed my largest Camponotus colony, which has 400-600 ants, a diet of 90% or more Sunburst Ant Nectar, and the rare cricket.

Purchase Sunburst Ant Nectar:
US Customers
EU Customers

90% or more? That's good to hear! That makes taking care of them much more simplistic than I originally thought. I have absolutely no problem keeping the nectar "stocked" and once and a while stopping at petsmart for crickets. Thanks again!

Let's hope I weaned out any newbie mistakes and this colony thrives!

[iXvXi]

Here's a video update of the largest colonies outworld and new nest. I'm still working on another outworld as well.

[iXvXi]

Update: 7-7-2016

My pavement ant colony managed to escape their nest and gain entrance into colony 1's nest. They killed all the workers (about 15) and ate all the brood. I moved the queen which was the only thing left, into a small test tube outworld setup in hopes she lays again.

Colony 2 ended up being a parasitic lasius that refused to lay again after her 5 workers died.

I have 2 other newly mated Camponotus Queens that laid and have some brood in all stages. No workers as of yet.

Colony 3 which was the largest had a massive die off due to the lack of hydration. I lost about 100 workers but they seem to be doing well as they have about 100 new brood waiting to enclose.