7 replies to this topic

[YsTheAnt]

So I wanted to raise a colony of pogonomyrmex next anting season. I have a few questions about the ones in CA for those who know some about them.

First off, how do I feed queens that are fully claustral in a setup like dspdrew's dirt boxes? I wanted to feed them because I hear that they have a much higher success rate if you do (for pogonomyrmex at least)

Second, what species in CA of pogonomyrmex are fully claustral? And if possible, a few that aren't?

Thanks for any advice!

 

Edit: I clarified that the questions only applied to pogonomyrmex

Edited by YsTheAnt, December 18 2017 - 6:43 PM.

[MegaMyrmex]

Basically almost any ant in the genus camponotus, formica, myrmecocystus, prenolepis, crematogaster, brachymyrmex, and dorymyrmex. Semi- claustral would be almost any ponerine ant, myrmica sp., trap jaws, some pogonomyrmex(?), acromyrmex, and some others. I myself don't recommend feesing founding fully claustral queens. I only do so if she seems weak or degenerate. If so, I generally just give her a small drop of honey and a tiny fruit fly for semi claustral queens.

[YsTheAnt]

Thanks! I meant only for pogonomyrmex, but I can see that it wasn't very clear in my question. Edited it. Thanks for the help though! I never knew that acromyrmex was semi claustral.

[JasonD]

The only Pogonomyrmex species that I know is fully claustral is P. rugosus. There are probably others but I don't know. P. californicus is semi claustral, as are most (?) other california Pogonomyrmex.  

[YsTheAnt]

Alright, thanks. Also, does anyone know the best way to find foraging semi claustral queens, specifically pogonomyrmex?

[JasonD]

Find a place where there are lots of colonies around. Then wait till they fly in the summer, after a rain. Usually someone will post that they've flown. Go back to the place where there are lots of colonies and you should be able to find them running around during the day for several weeks. This was my experience with P. californicus. Just make sure you know what the queens look like because the difference between queen and worker is more subtle for semi claustral than fully. 

[Ants_Texas]

So I wanted to raise a colony of pogonomyrmex next anting season. I have a few questions about the ones in CA for those who know some about them.

First off, how do I feed queens that are fully claustral in a setup like dspdrew's dirt boxes? I wanted to feed them because I hear that they have a much higher success rate if you do (for pogonomyrmex at least)

Second, what species in CA of pogonomyrmex are fully claustral? And if possible, a few that aren't?

Thanks for any advice!

 

Edit: I clarified that the questions only applied to pogonomyrmex

You could place some food on the surface dirt level, and if she goes exploring or wants it then she'll take it. Just make sure to change it out every once and a while. 

[Ants_Texas]

Alright, thanks. Also, does anyone know the best way to find foraging semi claustral queens, specifically pogonomyrmex?

Have a stroll around an area with multiple nests during nuptial flight season, after a rain. You'll probably find some foraging queens or even some newly mated queens. Also, be looking for small holes with some scattered dirt around them in a circle. That's what most Pogonomyrmex founding chambers look like.