70 replies to this topic

[Mettcollsuss]

We were talking about this on Discord the other day, and apparently many Aphaenogaster are reluctant to take sugar water and honey.  However some will readily take crystallized sugars (regular granulated white or brown sugar.)  They will take it back to their nest, and liquefy it within the nest for feeding.

I'll try that. Thanks!

[noebl1]

It works for my A. picea, but my A. fulva were unimpressed.  Apparently there's been very positive results with A. tennesseensis as well.

[Mettcollsuss]

We were talking about this on Discord the other day, and apparently many Aphaenogaster are reluctant to take sugar water and honey.  However some will readily take crystallized sugars (regular granulated white or brown sugar.)  They will take it back to their nest, and liquefy it within the nest for feeding.

It worked! They loved the brown sugar. Thanks.

[Mettcollsuss]

They have several pupae at the moment and the queen keeps laying more and more eggs. I estimate there are roughly 40-50 eggs in the pile. 

[TennesseeAnts]

I found an A. tennesseenis queen and I'm having trouble with getting a host species. Any suggestions?

[rbarreto]

I found an A. tennesseenis queen and I'm having trouble with getting a host species. Any suggestions?

I find Aphaenogaster population more abundant in forests away from urban areas. Try checking out a local park. They love to hide near the surface of rocks/logs exposed to the sun.

[noebl1]

I find Aphaenogaster population more abundant in forests away from urban areas. Try checking out a local park. They love to hide near the surface of rocks/logs exposed to the sun.

 

 

^^^^  This.  I live in the woods, and see them all Spring/Summer long during the day.  Usually easiest to spot along the side of the driveway walking in the leaves and such.  They are a pretty mobile species, so in the Spring when it's still cool, look under rocks, pieces of wood, etc for them bringing brood up to heat up in the sun.  Last summer we were assembling a swing set, and we'd find them a lot in the Spring with random brood in temporary piles under planks and other swing set pieces.  You can actually create "traps" for small colonies as well (this article has a study and design on how they did that):  https://www.hindawi....he/2012/752815/

[Mettcollsuss]

They just leave their trash piled up in the nest and it's causing problems. The sponge had almost turned black with mold. I gonna have to move them soon.

[noebl1]

They just leave their trash piled up in the nest and it's causing problems. The sponge had almost turned black with mold. I gonna have to move them soon.

 

I've had the same issues with A. fulva and A. rudis too... total slobs. My A. picea pulled an entire worm into their test tube, then left it to mold.  Hoping to get that out before I take them out of hibernation.  

[Mettcollsuss]

 

[Mettcollsuss]

Moved this journal to here