56 replies to this topic

[marcel]

How is the difference between Myrmecocystus testaceus and Myrmecocystus navajo in nest structure, growth, behavior? It is really interesting that the queen is very dark and almost black but the workers yellow just like Myrmecocystus navajo and mexicanus. They are nocturnal as well I heard. I wonder if there is any noticeable difference at all between those and navajo or mexicanus. 

[dspdrew]

There are some obvious differences between them, but as far as the three things you mentioned I don't really know.

[AntsCalifornia]

So you didn't catch any M. testaceus for this year? It's too bad they all died. I was really hoping to see how big the repletes get. 

Edited by AntsCalifornia, September 24 2017 - 1:39 PM.

[dspdrew]

None this year. I've never gotten repletes from these.

[dspdrew]

Update 1-17-2018

 

I just found a few more of these queens in Aguanga, California on January 14th, and then a few more in the Santa Ana Mountains near Lake Elsinore, California yesterday. I can't believe they flew this early. I always thought Prenolepis imparis were the first to fly, but I guess not.

 

I put all the ones I'm keeping in Dirt Box setups as usual, and they started digging chambers right away. We'll see if I have better luck this time around.

[AntsCalifornia]

Aww, I just missed it, I was up around there 1-19-18.

[YsTheAnt]

Update?

[dspdrew]

Update 8-7-2018

 

I ended up keeping three of these colonies, and all three now have about 40 workers each.

[YsTheAnt]

Any repletes yet?

[dspdrew]

Update 12-5-2018

 

These three colonies are still doing really well. They all are well over 50 workers now, and have lots of repletes.

[YsTheAnt]

Can we get replete pictures ?

[dspdrew]

Can we get replete pictures ?

 

I'll see if I can get any pictures that look interesting, but it's not that easy to see them in a dirt setup.

[YsTheAnt]

What temperatures trigger their flights? I know a place with these that's getting up to 69F. Is there a chance they will fly?

[dspdrew]

What temperatures trigger their flights? I know a place with these that's getting up to 69F. Is there a chance they will fly?

 

Not sure exactly, but it's usually well over 70F. Last year when they flew in January, it reached 85 degrees.

[B_rad0806]

let's hope I get a big colony out of mine.

[dspdrew]

Update 9-19-2020

 

The last colony I had of these died about a month ago.

[TechAnt]

Update 9-19-2020
 
The last colony I had of these died about a month ago.

Rest In Peace..