54 replies to this topic

[CozmoDog]

Hello everyone ! I have an update regarding the colonies, all of them are doing well 2 of them have 20+ workers now the third is a bit slower in terms of growth they only have 7 workers and larvae and 1 pupae my biggest colony (the one on the top of the pictures) has 23+ workers about 5+ pupae more larvae and eggs so they seem to be growing steadily. I feed them with honey and scarabs that I freeze for 2 days, they seem to enjoy them! I also decided that their old test tubes were dirty and getting moldy on the cotton so I moved them to new clean tubes. I placed the new tubes in the dark and I also placed a light over their old test tube which they didn't like so they moved to the new tube ! it was surprisingly easier than feeding XD anyways here are two pictures. One question when do you think Camponotus tend to get their first major ? I have a major of this species in my profile picture and it looks amazing I can't wait till they get some !! 

 

[Jonathan21700]

I think the 1-2 generation after hibernation about 30-40+ workers also depends by feeding, species, or the specific colony and they usually get a media worker first. 

[CozmoDog]

I see well I'm a bit overwhelmed actually 5 days after the last update and the colony has 31 workers I have a picture taken and I plan on posting it when I get on a pc, I'm actually going to be making a nest for them soon I will start a new thread regarding it.

Edit: after checking the colony has 11 pupae+ 4-5 larvae one of which is almost the size of the workers and still hasn't spun a cocoon also about 15+ eggs.

Edited by CozmoDog, August 18 2017 - 4:12 AM.

[CozmoDog]

Here is a small update/followup to the previous one, all colonies seem to be doing great I just moved the larger colony which is up to 35 workers now and more than 10 pupae to a larger test tube(the picture I will post is a day old before they moved to the larger one I'm going to be taking more soon) I also saw a larger pupae which make me want to believe is a media worker, 

[CozmoDog]

Here is a small update regarding my larger colony, they are now with about 42+ workers about 15+ pupae 7-8 larvae and more eggs maybe 15-20. There is also a huge larvae which I'm starting to believe is a major because it's way bigger than the workers last I checked they are still feeding it and I assume it's going to grow even more before spinning the cocoon. If indeed it is a major I think it has to do with me overfeeding the colony they had a lot of honey and 1-2 days later I fed them a huge scarab which they ate and then I fed them with another big scarab which might have triggered the colony's need for more food storage hence major(fingers crossed it might be a bigger worker/media) pictures soon

[CozmoDog]

The larvae is still growing and it's the size of two workers now bigger than queen thorax still has not pupated I'm very happy if this larvae pupates soon I'm sure the colony will be getting their first major before hibernation and in their first year.

[CozmoDog]

SO I haven’t updated this in quite sometime, I plan on taking some nice picture for a full update soon. I do however have unfortunate news my third colony which is also the smallest of the 3 colonies I own will probably die, when I woke up this morning I went to check on the colonies like I always do and I found the queen on her side twitching and a worker trying to groom her her gaster is quite enlarged and is whitish so I don’t know what is wrong because the colony seems healthy workers and brood, I thought it might be the water that has started to turn a bit yellow but that doesn’t make sense since it’s only the queen. If anyone knows anything please let me know. Since the queen is still kinda moving I’ll wait untill tomorrow and if she is dead I will freeze the rest of the colony to put them out of their misery. I'm so sad

[Pleming]

I had  Myrmecocystus Queen twitching two days ago and I checked on her yesterday and she was dead. All 15 of her workers are still alive. Wish she was still alive she was my 2nd best honeypot colony of the season. I'm going to keep the workers and brood. I feel bad for them.

[CozmoDog]

So here is an update regarding my colonies, both are growing steadily still, They seem to still want more food even though the weather is starting to get cooler, I haven't made an effort to count lately but I think my bigger colony has 55+ workers maybe way more not sure ant maybe 45+ for the second colony and guess what my bigger colony has their first Major too!!!!! she is so gorgeous and I'm so happy that the colony got a major before hibernation. anyways here are some pictures. 

 

And here is the Major shown below she resembles the queen so much unlike the rest of the workers

[Del]

Looks like a healthy colony, the first major is always exciting

[CozmoDog]

Yeah I'm hoping to move them into a nest that I'll be making them soon, not sure if I should move them or let them wait out the winter in their test tube.

[Chasicle]

Who tf cares if it’s been four years. UPDATE

[GRIMM_OwO_]

much camponotus

[Chasicle]

I’m going to be getting some Sanctus next year, it’s very cool to see some colonies

[Antkeeper01]

I’m going to be getting some Sanctus next year, it’s very cool to see some colonies

ummmm sanctus isn't natiive to the us