17 replies to this topic

[Evanthomas89]

 

My first colony of Camponotus chromaiodes is doing so well! Thank you everybody on here that has communicated with me and given me advice and thank you everybody that has ever posted and shared your successes and failures because reading those past posts have helped a ton as well! 

[fANTastic]

very nice!

camponotus usually take a long time to develop so that's quite a bit of progress!

What do you feed them though?

I am interested in catching some camponotus queens.

[Evanthomas89]

very nice!

camponotus usually take a long time to develop so that's quite a bit of progress!

What do you feed them though?

I am interested in catching some camponotus queens.

 

I've had them for a month and a half, you can view the journal for them in my signature. As far as food they have been eating honey water and prekilled dubia roach nymphs. I hope you find some this year, if not maybe somebody in your area has some for sale. 

[ColKurtz]

Thank you for posting these photos and videos.  I was wondering though, what is the approximate size/length of the queens?  Thanks.  

[Russell]

I am in BC, Canada and Camponotus were flying in May here so we won't see them here again till next year. Formica are flying right now however FANTastic. My Comps should have workers within the week and I may sell some if you want one this year.

Edited by Russell, July 16 2017 - 9:17 PM.

[fANTastic]

Great! 

I want to collect all the ant genuses.

Thanks a lot.

So Camponotus fly in May and Formica fly now right?

[T.C.]

Great!
I want to collect all the ant genuses.
Thanks a lot.
So Camponotus fly in May and Formica fly now right?

I'm located in Wisconsin USA. That's just below canada. Small camponotous nuptial flights are still happening. Although, the major flights are done with.

Edited by T.C., July 16 2017 - 9:15 PM.

[Russell]

Great! 

I want to collect all the ant genuses.

Thanks a lot.

So Camponotus fly in May and Formica fly now right?

Yes in BC Camponotus were flying May to early June. Formica have been flying for a month and I still find them daily. Tetramorium did fly and may still be in June/July but have not found  any in a few weeks. 

[Serafine]

Congrats! They look really cute =)

[Evanthomas89]

Thank you for posting these photos and videos.  I was wondering though, what is the approximate size/length of the queens?  Thanks.  

 

I think she is about 20 mm. 

 

Congrats! They look really cute =)

 

thank you! I've grown really attached to this queen she doesn't panic during feedings and usually just sits and grooms herself or watches me through the tube. 

[Shareallicu]

Jealous!! 

 

I want Camponotus!

[fANTastic]

Jealous!! 

 

I want Camponotus!

SAAAAAAAME!

But they take so long to grow! The growth time is about twice as slow as other ant genuses

[Canadant]

Well i have two camponotus (noveboracensis) queens and they've laid a crap-ton of eggs and i now have three nanitics in 5 weeks. I was expecting them to grow much more slower but at this rate they'll both need a formicarium before winter hibernation. As a matter of fact i watched one lay an egg today. A first for me.

[Evanthomas89]

Jealous!! 

 

I want Camponotus!

 

Go get some!  

 

 

Jealous!! 

 

I want Camponotus!

SAAAAAAAME!

But they take so long to grow! The growth time is about twice as slow as other ant genuses

 

 

Mine didn't take long at all in my opinion, but I'm used to keeping tarantulas and other invertebrates and I'm beginning to think whoever thinks Camponotus take "forever" is just incredibly impatient and doesn't realize that other ants actually just grow really fast. Take a step into the tarantula world and you'll know the meaning of a "slow grower" when one of your spiderlings takes 5-8 years to reach maturity haha. 

 

 

Well i have two camponotus (noveboracensis) queens and they've laid a crap-ton of eggs and i now have three nanitics in 5 weeks. I was expecting them to grow much more slower but at this rate they'll both need a formicarium before winter hibernation. As a matter of fact i watched one lay an egg today. A first for me.

 

I may be in the same position, small formicaria but some may need an upgrade before diapause. 

[SeaShell]

 

Jealous!! 

 

I want Camponotus!

 

Go get some!

 

 

Jealous!! 

 

I want Camponotus!

SAAAAAAAME!

But they take so long to grow! The growth time is about twice as slow as other ant genuses

 

 

Mine didn't take long at all in my opinion, but I'm used to keeping tarantulas and other invertebrates and I'm beginning to think whoever thinks Camponotus take "forever" is just incredibly impatient and doesn't realize that other ants actually just grow really fast. Take a step into the tarantula world and you'll know the meaning of a "slow grower" when one of your spiderlings takes 5-8 years to reach maturity haha. 

 

 

Well i have two camponotus (noveboracensis) queens and they've laid a crap-ton of eggs and i now have three nanitics in 5 weeks. I was expecting them to grow much more slower but at this rate they'll both need a formicarium before winter hibernation. As a matter of fact i watched one lay an egg today. A first for me.

 

I may be in the same position, small formicaria but some may need an upgrade before diapause. 

 

I don't know how to find them.  We don't have Camponotus in my area.... Too many people with bug sprays   

[Russell]

I found 14 queens this year. All but one laid eggs and now almost all have workers. Took about two months. I will say they do lay a lot less eggs and develop much slower then some ants. My average Camponotus will have aprox 4-7 workers from the first eggs they laid. Compare this to Tetramorium which have liad 20-50 eggs in the first round. 

[antsnewmexico]

Congrats! I have a camponotus modoc queen with its first pupae almost hatched.

[Evanthomas89]

 

I don't know how to find them.  We don't have Camponotus in my area.... Too many people with bug sprays   

 

 

 

Where are you from? 

 

 

I found 14 queens this year. All but one laid eggs and now almost all have workers. Took about two months. I will say they do lay a lot less eggs and develop much slower then some ants. My average Camponotus will have aprox 4-7 workers from the first eggs they laid. Compare this to Tetramorium which have liad 20-50 eggs in the first round. 

 

I suppose yes, colony growth as a whole has a slow start with Camponotus. I can't wait to see that explosive third year growth though. 

 

Congrats! I have a camponotus modoc queen with its first pupae almost hatched.

 

That's awesome!