13 replies to this topic

[AntsBrazil]

Just wanted to share this video about my first colony with workers. This is their second ever meal. 

 

 

 

Edited by JPSMedeiros, December 29 2016 - 10:42 AM.

[Connectimyrmex]

Congrats! My Ochetellus have also had their second solid meal recently.

Edited by Hawaiiant, December 29 2016 - 10:44 AM.

[AntsBrazil]

This colony now have 10 workers, I'm thinking about moving them to one of my Ytong formicaria that I made. I don't know if it will be a good idea since the queen that I placed in one of those Ytong formicaria didn't thrive, I think that the Ytong killed all the brood somehow, maybe it wasn't humid enough. Should I try to move them? I'm planning to leave the test tube attached so they can always go in there if they feel uncomfortable. 

 

 

[Kevin]

That colony can fit a few more workers in the test tube before they move to a big formicarium. The testube is also likely to get more space as the colony drinks water and the cotton sinks deeper.

[AntsBrazil]

The test tube has almost no water and the that formicarium isn't that big, but I guess I'll wait a little more, until how many workers do you recommend to wait?

Edited by JPSMedeiros, December 30 2016 - 8:39 AM.

[Alabama Anter]

The test tube has almost no water and the that formicarium isn't that big, but I guess I'll wait a little more, until how many workers do you recommend to wait?

You have to understand that young colony moving in the wild is suicidal. I would wait for at least 25-30 workers.

[Connectimyrmex]

My Ochetellus moved with one worker and two queens (I didn't want them to), so it should be okay if you put your new ants close to the entrance hole of the formicarium.

[LC3]

 

The test tube has almost no water and the that formicarium isn't that big, but I guess I'll wait a little more, until how many workers do you recommend to wait?

You have to understand that young colony moving in the wild is suicidal. I would wait for at least 25-30 workers.

 

A young colony in the wild usually wouldn't die just because it decided to move, chances are the move would be a short distance and only be done if the colony was in immediate danger.

Regardless in captivity the risks of a colony being wiped out by moving them is much more lower if done right.

You can try moving them to another testube, if you have one available. 

Edited by LC3, December 30 2016 - 11:14 AM.

[Serafine]

Ants are VERY good at stapling themselves, this tube is FAR from full. They could easily fit 50 workers in that tube, if not a hundred.
 
You should not put them in a formicarium at this size, just place their tube in the foraging area. Put a new fresh tube in there so they can move if they want but they will probably stay in the tube for a bit longer. Depending on their humidity preference they can actually stay inside the tube even for weeks after it dried out (if they have another tube where they can harvest water), Lasius niger and certain Camponotus are famous for doing this.

Edited by Serafine, December 30 2016 - 11:56 AM.

[AntsBrazil]

Thanks for all the help. I'll wait until I have more workers then. 

[Alabama Anter]

The test tube has almost no water and the that formicarium isn't that big, but I guess I'll wait a little more, until how many workers do you recommend to wait?

You have to understand that young colony moving in the wild is suicidal. I would wait for at least 25-30 workers.

A young colony in the wild usually wouldn't die just because it decided to move, chances are the move would be a short distance and only be done if the colony was in immediate danger.
Regardless in captivity the risks of a colony being wiped out by moving them is much more lower if done right.
You can try moving them to another testube, if you have one available.

Actually moving increases the chances of getting hunted down by predators, and energy loss. Also if the climate was not right they will die. Fungus and parasites play a role too.

[Serafine]

Putting two test tubes next to each other and connecting them with a large drinking straw works perfectly fine and usually ants move quick and easy that way if they feel the need.

[AntsBrazil]

The main reason of me wanting to move them is that I really want to see them inside the formicarium hahaha

[FSTP]

The main reason of me wanting to move them is that I really want to see them inside the formicarium hahaha

 

 

I know the feeling. Its torture! I'm in the same situation right now. I have a Lasius niger colony I would love to move into one of the formicarium I've been recently making. But they only have like 20ish workers. I'm trying my best to hold off on moving them till they have at least double. At least they seem to be fast growers.