7 replies to this topic

[Chasicle]

I know this isn’t the first time you’ve heard of Pogonomyrmex Occidentalis, but I thought I’d make a journal anyway.

About a week ago I ordered two Pogonomyrmex Occidentalis queens. The shipping process did not go well. The package did not arrive until 4 days after it was supposed to (my fault for ordering around Christmas) and was left in my mailbox. I was not home when they arrived, and it was only 9 degrees F. I had my friend pick then up for me, but I wasn’t quite quick enough. When I got home I opened my package, and saw one queen that had drowned due to her test tube flooding (likely caused by the change in temp), and another queen that looked great but no longer had the worker it had been shipped with. I’m not really sure what happened to this worker, but it was very much dead.

After this sad news I was left with one living queen. I will now have to get her to refound. I gave her some dandelion seeds, (which she didn’t touch) and a piece of meal worm (which she ate happily). I will try to update this journal. Please cross your fingers for my queen!
Ew, I’m sorry the photos are horizontal. Tilt your head I guess

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[Chasicle]

Hey, so you know how I said her worker was dead? Well it’s not. I walked into my room tonight and saw a Pogonomyrmex worker sanding on my queens test tube! Some how i didn’t notice it when moving the queen or the whole night. The thing I saw and thought was the ant wasn’t I guess.

This is very good news. I will update as soon as something happens!

[Chasicle]

Well, so much for that worker. I woke up this morning to find it dead. I’m not sure what happened to it but I know it’s not great news.

[Chickalo]

Dang, keep trying Chasicle, I have 100% faith in you!  Also, wow Pogonomyrmex occidentalis?  What's that?  I've never heard of it.

[Chasicle]

Dang, keep trying Chasicle, I have 100% faith in you!  Also, wow Pogonomyrmex occidentalis?  What's that?  I've never heard of it.

Lmaoo yeah. Wish me luck I really hope I can get this queen to start up a colony.

[YsTheAnt]

Keeping her warm (high 80’s to 90+F) may help, I was able to refound some P. montanus queens this way. Good luck, I hope she makes it!

[Chasicle]

Keeping her warm (high 80’s to 90+F) may help, I was able to refound some P. montanus queens this way. Good luck, I hope she makes it!

thanks very much! I have her on a heating cable.

[Chasicle]

Sadly, the queen died. She was acting healthy, but I guess she was not. I will be getting more queens this spring and will revive this journal. Bye for now