30 replies to this topic

[dermy]

I wanted to make sure that I was going to be able to get a Camponotus Colony this year so I grabbed quite a few queens this year, I was suprised that one had done well, in fact within a month she already has some nice sized larvae and maybe even a cocoon. I'm hoping to get first workers by the end of June [the stages last forever it seems].

 

Here's a quick video on them:

 

 

 

 

I'll provide updates when I can on this Colony

[dermy]

Ironically enough close to the end of June, and I have already gotten my First Worker, I'll get a video up shortly on this Post showing it They are so much larger then my Lasius neoniger nanitics!

 

 

Here's that Video of the new little worker [forgets to post link ]

 

 

There we go:

Edited by dermy, June 27 2016 - 3:41 AM.

[dermy]

Another Queen has had her first Workers, this one had 3!

 

 

 

 

I also still have tons of these in my fridge, so I'm going to re-awaken some and start more queens up, so I can experiment with one of these.

Edited by dermy, July 5 2016 - 2:15 AM.

[dermy]

Quick update on how they are doing, they have been feeding well and one colony has 6 workers the other has around 4 workers.

 

[dermy]

The first original queen has a very large abdomen and I've seen a lot of egglaying going on

 

[sgheaton]

She's a biggen. 

[dermy]

Yeah I think it has to do with the fact that this colony has a great feeding response for a small colony, some people say Camponotus are picky, these so far seem very open to food.

[dermy]

A worker jumped out and ran away..... I assume she's a gonner.

[dermy]

Here's a quick update on the active colony, the other one is in Hibernation, and has been for about 2 weeks.

 

 

 

There was 6 workers, but one ran away, just like how my Lasius neoniger workers [that took 7 months to go from egg to worker I might add.....] also ran away. I'm slowly waiting for my Myrmica to Run away as well.

[dermy]

I know this isn't an amazing update but here it is anyway, both Colonies are now in Hibernation. One with 5 workers and one with 3 workers. One has nice brood [mainly larvae] the other, I can't tell because they ripped up the wood and made  a nest with it.

[fortysixandtwo]

Nice. I don't consider Camponotus to be too picky myself. They seem to be open to a lot of different things. Good progress. 

[Crystals]

Glad to see you have gotten them so far.  I hope they do well for you.

The 2nd and third years are more exciting with Camponotus. 

[Enderz]

Did you really make a nest from a medicine bottle xD
 

[dermy]

Nice. I don't consider Camponotus to be too picky myself. They seem to be open to a lot of different things. Good progress. 

Yeah once I got them past the founding stage it seems like they ate well and did pretty good. Especially since I was busy this summer.

 

Glad to see you have gotten them so far.  I hope they do well for you.

The 2nd and third years are more exciting with Camponotus. 

 

I'm looking forward to it!

Did you really make a nest from a medicine bottle xD
 

Yeah, they work surprisingly well, esp. for the Founding Stages, and better yet Child Resistant Caps!

[MichiganAnts]

good luck!

[AnthonyP163]

My camponotus wouldn't eat anything except honey. Their pile of larvae didn't even grow in a month. They're in hibernation now. What should I be feeding them?

[MichiganAnts]

My camponotus wouldn't eat anything except honey. Their pile of larvae didn't even grow in a month. They're in hibernation now. What should I be feeding them?

if you have them hibernating you don't need to feed them, make sure that they have access to water and if you are hibernating in a nest, make sure it dosent dry out

[AnthonyP163]

My camponotus wouldn't eat anything except honey. Their pile of larvae didn't even grow in a month. They're in hibernation now. What should I be feeding them?

if you have them hibernating you don't need to feed them, make sure that they have access to water and if you are hibernating in a nest, make sure it dosent dry out

oh yes I know, but when they're out of hibernation. What is recommended then?

[Mdrogun]

 

 

My camponotus wouldn't eat anything except honey. Their pile of larvae didn't even grow in a month. They're in hibernation now. What should I be feeding them?

if you have them hibernating you don't need to feed them, make sure that they have access to water and if you are hibernating in a nest, make sure it dosent dry out

oh yes I know, but when they're out of hibernation. What is recommended then?

 

Food

[dermy]

Larvae are known to randomly stop growing in Camponotus. I feed mine Mealworms and the odd spider and things. They love Maple Syrup too.