12 replies to this topic

[JackPearl]

I caught 5 Rhytidoponera queens this season, but only one survived. The others all died without eggs. However, this queen did lay eggs. This species is a blue and purple species of Rhytidoponera and is also the largest species I've seen.
I caught her in the escarpment, in the illawarra region, on a drizzly day.
The temperature was about 27* celcius.

This queen is in my D.I.Y semi-claustral queen setup, and has a nice batch of eggs, maybe 10-15.







I will update this journal whenever anything exciting happens.

[Leo]

coool, they closest thing I can get to Rhytidoponera is Gnamptogenys bicolor.

[Spamdy]

The closest I can get to Rhytidoponera is Pheidole metallescens.

[JackPearl]

coool, they closest thing I can get to Rhytidoponera is Gnamptogenys bicolor.

Wow,is that a cousin genus?

[JackPearl]

The closest I can get to Rhytidoponera is Pheidole metallescens.

Haha,yea. Aussies are pretty lucky we have this amazing fauna.

[Leo]

 

coool, they closest thing I can get to Rhytidoponera is Gnamptogenys bicolor.

Wow,is that a cousin genus?

 

I think so

[JackPearl]

coool, they closest thing I can get to Rhytidoponera is Gnamptogenys bicolor.

Wow,is that a cousin genus?

I think so

They look awesome

[Leo]

Naw, I like rhytidoponera better

[antaioli]

I look forward to seeing more of this species! I have 12 metallica queens (as far as I can tell).

Has she taken her first protein yet? It seemed to take mine a couple weeks until one took a termite into her tube.

[JackPearl]

I look forward to seeing more of this species! I have 12 metallica queens (as far as I can tell).
Has she taken her first protein yet? It seemed to take mine a couple weeks until one took a termite into her tube.

I left a constant blob of honey, and I left a cricket leg in there a couple of days ago. I haven't seen her leave the tube though.

[JackPearl]

12/11/17

Update! So this gal is going mighty well, with a big pile of (what I assume is larvae) she hides them well...
Regardless, she seems healthy and I have high hopes!

Thanks for reading.

[antaioli]

Glad to hear she's doing well!

So this species spins cocoons, do they need sand to help them with that?

[JackPearl]

Glad to hear she's doing well!
So this species spins cocoons, do they need sand to help them with that?

The don't NEED sand as far as I know, but it does make it easier for them.
it acts as Scaffolding for their cocoons.

I might add sand when the larvae are pupating, but it's not too vital right now.