19 replies to this topic

[AntsAreUs]

Just caught 4 queens, now that I know they are out there I'm going to try to catch more! I feel like this species is going to be very unlikely to keep as a colony but it is worth trying! The smell of the queen is very powerful, I never smelled citronella before but this certainly is a strong smell!

[AntsAreUs]

Update: 11/29/14 (couple hours later)

 

The one with 5 workers only just laid an egg, it is in one of the worker's mouth! Can't take pictures until I get something, you can't see anything on my webcam.

[Gregory2455]

Wait... So you found colonies, and not just lone queens? If so please state the amount of her own workers, and the amount of host workers for each colony.

[AntsAreUs]

There is for the first attempt, a small founding colony of Lasius neoniger with about 15 workers. They actually kicked their own queen out!! So I put her in another test tube for next year. The second one I gave 5 workers from my small colony and she got easily accepted with no troubles. They are both doing really good and are not appearing to actually be hibernating when all the other workers are. I do open the tubes every time I get to them because I'm afraid that the smell causes lack of oxygen.

[AntsAreUs]

I now have made a video of a colony with 4 workers that died sadly. Well the other colony is doing fine at least!

 

I just got them out of hibernating, could anybody tell if there are signs of if they are done hibernating?

 

[Gregory2455]

They will be much more active, and the queen will start laying eggs.

[drtrmiller]

I just got them out of hibernating, could anybody tell if there are signs of if they are done hibernating?

 

Yes, they may remain relatively inactive for up to a few weeks, but eventually will begin foraging and the queen will lay eggs.

 

I just observed this phenomena with an incipient Camponotus colony, which I kept in the fridge for only a few weeks.  They now have 8 new eggs and the larvae are fattening up on byFormica Formula—I haven't gotten them to take to insects yet.

[AntsAreUs]

 

I just got them out of hibernating, could anybody tell if there are signs of if they are done hibernating?

 

Yes, they may remain relatively inactive for up to a few weeks, but eventually will begin foraging and the queen will lay eggs.

 

I just observed this phenomena with an incipient Camponotus colony, which I kept in the fridge for only a few weeks.  They now have 8 new eggs and the larvae are fattening up on byFormica Formula—I haven't gotten them to take to insects yet.

 

I hibernated mine for about 1 month and 2 weeks so I think I will be good!

[Gregory2455]

I took my Lasius queens out recently as well.

My Formica fusca have another month.

Edited by Gregory2455, December 29 2014 - 9:18 PM.

[AntsAreUs]

Update: 1-9-15

 

Just started laying eggs! I seen some small larva too!!

[Gregory2455]

Nice!!! Very jealous... I love citronella ants... Maybe next year- I did not even make an effort to go to the Lasius flights this year, probably because Lasius in general are rather boring- only citronella species are cool.

She must have had enough hibernating if she is laying eggs.

[AntsAreUs]

Nice!!! Very jealous... I love citronella ants... Maybe next year- I did not even make an effort to go to the Lasius flights this year, probably because Lasius in general are rather boring- only citronella species are cool.

She must have had enough hibernating if she is laying eggs.

I wasn't keeping track very well but I'm estimating 1 1/2 months to 2 months, maybe I should take my Lasius umbratus out?

[AntsAreUs]

Update: 1-29-2015

 

Just got some larva now, really excited as of now! Fed them fruit flies and it appeared they needed it because the larva were not growing.

[AntsAreUs]

I got a second batch of eggs that I seen in a workers jaws and I was very excited, could anybody for sure me that there is no other person that has kept a successful journal on this species because that is my goal!

[Gregory2455]

Picture! Or video.

[AntsAreUs]

Sorry can't really get that close because they burrowed into the cotton because it is a pretty big test tube but sure I'll make a picture!

[AntsAreUs]

I guess it's just to show the colony because this test tube is really far down and I couldn't show you the side view because they burrowed into the cotton but that will not happen with my newer test tubes. Sorry that you can't see anything really.
 

Edited by dspdrew, February 18 2015 - 11:27 PM.
Fixed image

[AntsAreUs]

I seen some new eggs again and some of the other eggs are starting to get bigger and more clear.

[Gregory2455]

Nice!

[AntsAreUs]

I think there are now fresh new larva but it's hard to tell I'm getting so excited and really hope fingers crossed nothing happens.