7 replies to this topic

[Okeedoke22]

Hello

My Queens first nanotics have finally arrived😀. I have 2 Queens both caught on 3/24/2016.

Queen 1 has 5 nanotics. I only checked on her once since I adopted her. Queen 2 has only 1 nanotic but looks like she will have more soon. I checked on Queen 2 about every 10 days. It was hard since they were the only queens I had but I left them alone as much as possible. Both queens have a nice clean pile of brood also.

I kept both Queens in a dark drawer in a test tube setup. I applied no extra heat. They are in my bedroom cause it's the most quiet. I haven't used my air condition which has been rough but worth it. I am hoping to build a nice custom cabinet to hopefully hold a few colonies. Wondering if my bedroom closet would be a good place. Ideally I would be able to use my AC soon.

So far all my photos have been with my iPhone but I really need to invest in a nice camera. I think it will enhance the experience. I have seen some amazing photos from members of this forum and hoping to get close to those.

I want to thank everyone for all the help and inspiration. So happy to be part of this community.

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[Okeedoke22]

My macro lense attachment for my iPhone came. There is a big improvement with the pictures. It's not like some of you professional photographers but at least it's much improved.

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[Okeedoke22]

Looks like I lost a worker. So now both queens have 4 workers. Not sure why. I have handled them more to feed them. They are very skittish. Do not wander very far from Cotton. I have placed food closer to them and They have fed. Now I left it at end of test tube and looks like they didn't touch it. I also put a very small cricket leg in test tube and they didn't touch it.

1 queen has a nice pile of eggs but the other I don"t see any. They could be on cotton so I'm missing them. I was thinking to leave them alone for 2 weeks and see how they are. I am worried they will need food though. If nothing happens hibernate the 1 queen.

In other news all my other Queens are doing great. Brachymyrmex all have a nice pile of brood. My Tetramorium Sp. E Queens have huge piles of brood. I boosted a Queen so she has 2 workers already. I only lost 1 Tetramorium Queen so far. I think that was because I put 2 queens together and she didn't accept the other queen. I have 6 together and they are doing great. Temperature in my bedroom where I keep them has stayed consistent at 80-83 F. It's killing me but they love it.

Edited by Okeedoke22, July 5 2016 - 7:40 PM.

[drtrmiller]

Prenolepis will begin to roast at 80+ F.  They are one of the few ant species that prefer slightly cooler temperatures, if I'm not mistaken.

Edited by drtrmiller, July 5 2016 - 8:33 PM.

[Mdrogun]

I keep my Prenolepis queen below or around 70 and she seems to love it.

[Goldsystem]

My P.imparis like aphids.

[Okeedoke22]

Thank you.

 

I have to find a cooler spot for them. I knew they liked lower temps but didn't realize 80F was so high for them.  

[T.C.]

How did these colonies do?