4 replies to this topic

[Connectimyrmex]

Hi!
I've started a new journal for my last remaining ants (My Hawaiian Ant Journal is now really out of date). This may eventually switch to Connecticut species because I'm moving soon. I hope you enjoy!

 

 

UPDATE: Wednesday, April 26, 2017

 

-Note: My parents made me get rid of nearly all of my insect pets due to the fact that we're moving to Connecticut soon. I had a few at school in my locker that are still alive and doing well. I'm going to release them in a month.

 

Pseudomyrmex Gracilis:

My Pseudomyrmex queen seems to be doing quite well. She's very active and accepts drops of sugary drinks and the occasional termite (I only feed single and unpaired termites... I love termites...). She had an egg but I think she popped it by accident when she tried to carry it.

Pheidole Megacephala:

I have two queens of this species. They are doing okay (I think). They have a large egg cluster with no larvae yet. It's been a while, so I'm wondering if I should give protein supplements to them.

Ochetellus Glaber:

I have two queens of this species with one worker. The original workers (maybe 5 or 6) were from the original Ochetellus colony. Those queens died and left a huge stack of brood and those workers behind. I successfully introduced them to the younger founding colony, but those workers all died except for that last one. The queens are doing very well, though.

Camponotus Variegatus:

FINALLY! I caught a queen of this species today! She was resting on the top of a wall, which was surprising due to the fact that they fly at night. She still has half of her wings and seems very relaxed. She's currently settled down in a test tube.
 

Coptotermes Gestroi:

I have two of these at the moment. They haven't laid any eggs yet. I have to say that they are quite adorable together, though. They nuzzle together and "kiss" frequently. I'm sure these two will make a very successful colony. 

 

Cryptotermes Cynocephalus:
I don't have any of these at the moment, but I had five recently. They didn't lay any eggs in captivity, so I released them in a promising founding site so they could have better luck. I'm hoping to catch a few more soon.

 

Also, should I worry about Camponotus formic acid sprays? My new queen hasn't sprayed me yet, but I want to know whether I should be careful or not.

[Nathant2131]

You're moving to CT?! Great, I'm in MA.

[Alabama Anter]

I think Formic Acid from Camponotus will only sting if an open wound gets sprayed. (Personal experience)

[Connectimyrmex]

You're moving to CT?! Great, I'm in MA.

That's awesome! Maybe we can meet up sometime in the future.

 

I think Formic Acid from Camponotus will only sting if an open wound gets sprayed. (Personal experience)

Thanks for the info. I actually just figured that out after handling my queen

 

 

Also, here is the newest update!
UPDATE: Thursday, April 27, 2017

 

-Note: My parents made me get rid of nearly all of my insect pets due to the fact that we're moving to Connecticut soon. I had a few at school in my locker that are still alive and doing well. I'm going to release them in a month.

 

Pseudomyrmex Gracilis:
Nothing new yet.

 

Pheidole Megacephala:

Nothing new yet.

Ochetellus Glaber:

Nothing new yet.

 

Camponotus Variegatus:

The queen (I named her Green Day after numerous requests from a friend at school) bit and sprayed some acid on me. Ouch!

She also seems ready to lay an egg. I'm a bit worried, though, because her gaster seems a little bit smaller than photos of other Camponotus queens.

 

Coptotermes Gestroi:

The queen and king seem to be making a claustral chamber out of digested cardboard. I think they might have an egg as well, because they both seem to be guarding one spot.

 

Cryptotermes Cynocephalus:
I managed to snag 8 workers/soldiers (the termites capped off some drilled holes that were probably made for nuts and bolts in a cabinet. I broke one of the termite spit-caps and lured out a few with a rolled up tissue). I also found an alate (one was stuck in a drawer in my french classroom. It got its wings caught in the wood while it left the kickout hole). The workers are treating the alate like a queen. If I cannot find a mate for the reproductive I have, the workers may molt into a secondary reproductive. They are all living in a small clear plastic box with some dampened tissues.

 

 

Will update more soon!

[Connectimyrmex]

UPDATE: Friday, May 5, 2017

 

Pseudomyrmex Gracilis:
The existing queen died, sadly. I now have two new queens. They ate a few termite workers that I farmed from my captive colony.

 

Pheidole Megacephala:

Sadly, these two died.

Ochetellus Glaber:

This colony has seven workers now! There is also a huge brood.

 

Camponotus Variegatus:

I noticed that Green Day (the queen) was very skinny so I gave her some plain, water-free honey. She ate it and now seems very plump. Eggs coming soon, hopefully!

 

Coptotermes Gestroi:

I caught six new kings/queens. The main, older colony has six eggs, the next colony has two eggs, and the rest of the termites have 1 egg all together (the remaining four are living in a hollow bamboo stick together).

 

Cryptotermes Cynocephalus:
I caught a few more reproductives and I put them with the colony. They are still doing well. There are three kings and one queen. A few reproductive nymphs (molting from the pseudergates) are on the way as well.