35 replies to this topic

[Mettcollsuss]

I don't normally start journals for colonies/queens that don't have workers, since the founding stage isn't usually that exciting. I made an exception for this queen since she's semi-claustral, so there'll be stuff to report on during the founding stage.

 

I caught this queen near the end of summer. She landed on my dad's shirt while we were camping. I couldn't find out what she was after a few months, so I made an ID thread for her.

 

I just took her out of hibernation yesterday. I'm hoping she does well. I don't know much about these ants, but here's what I do know: they are semi-claustral, have small colonies with a maximum 100 workers, and the workers are predaceous.

 

Here are some pictures I took with a microscope. I'll have some more photos in a few days.

 

 

Edited by Mettcollsuss, October 13 2018 - 3:10 AM.

[VoidElecent]

Looking forward to this journal. I caught a single M. americana queen in my neighbor's pool last year, and I'm curious as to how she will do. Good luck!

[Mettcollsuss]

2-7-18

I gave her a pre-killed fruit fly. I can't tell if she's ignoring it, or hasn't found it yet.

[Mettcollsuss]

2-9-18

She hasn't eaten the fruit fly. I've been doing more research on this species, but still can't find much on what they eat.

[Mettcollsuss]

2-14-18

No eggs yet.

 

List of what she will and won't accept so far.

 

Will Accept:

• Honey-water

Won't Accept:

• Sugar-water
• Fruit Flies

[Jadeninja9]

You should try cutting up a mearlworm and giving it to her. Crush their heads first though.

[LC3]

Myrmecina is a specialist predator of mites. Upon more digging it seems like this genus of ants in particular specialize in oribatid mites. 

Edited by LC3, February 14 2018 - 9:34 PM.

[AnthonyP163]

I saw this journal and just had  to see it. I have always wanted this species. Since I am a keeper of springtails and mites, feeding it would be absolutely no problem. I hope yours does well!

[noebl1]

I started a springtail culture last year for a queen of these, and found that failed as well.  I'm curious to see if you have better luck.

[Mettcollsuss]

Since I am a keeper of springtails and mites, feeding it would be absolutely no problem.

I don't have any mites to feed her. Where do I get them? What types?

[Mettcollsuss]

2-17-18

 

 

 

[gcsnelling]

This is one of those genera which is probably best not bothered with.

[AnthonyP163]

 

Since I am a keeper of springtails and mites, feeding it would be absolutely no problem.

I don't have any mites to feed her. Where do I get them? What types?

 

Like LC3 said, this species is great at hunting oribatid mites, aka, moss mites or beetle mites. They crack open their "shells". Some species have longer larvae in order to get the nutrients from inside of the mite. I find them all over the place, and they usually get into my terrariums from moss, soil, and plants.

This is one of those genera which is probably best not bothered with.

Yes, they're not very common and unless you're experienced and prepared, there's a small chance you'll actually be able to get a colony going.

[Mettcollsuss]

3-17-18

Okay, so I had put this queen in one of my ant drawers and kind of forgot about her for a few weeks. She is still alive, even with no food for a few weeks. I gave her a drop of honey and a fruit fly. She accepted them, despite not accepting either of these foods earlier. Still no eggs, but hopefully she will have one soon now that she's eaten some protein. Pics coming soon!

[VoidElecent]

3-17-18

Okay, so I had put this queen in one of my ant drawers and kind of forgot about her for a few weeks. She is still alive, even with no food for a few weeks. I gave her a drop of honey and a fruit fly. She accepted them, despite not accepting either of these foods earlier. Still no eggs, but hopefully she will have one soon now that she's eaten some protein. Pics coming soon!

 

She accepted the fruit fly?

 

I have a queen of the same species I just took out of hibernation, although I'm doubtful she will be successful.

[KBant]

3-17-18
Okay, so I had put this queen in one of my ant drawers and kind of forgot about her for a few weeks. She is still alive, even with no food for a few weeks. I gave her a drop of honey and a fruit fly. She accepted them, despite not accepting either of these foods earlier. Still no eggs, but hopefully she will have one soon now that she's eaten some protein. Pics coming soon!

Beggars can’t be choosers lol

[AntsAreUs]

I'm interested on your findings now that I have a queen too. Strange though, mine accepted sugar water as soon as I got her. Maybe she'll only drink anything sugary when she really needs it? I've given a piece of decaying plant with quite a few large white mites, haven't seen her kill any or take interest. She also didn't accept a crushed springtail that I tried nudging towards her, but then she ran away.

Edited by AntsAreUs, March 31 2018 - 11:47 AM.

[Mettcollsuss]

4-15-18

Still nothing new 

Edited by Mettcollsuss, April 15 2018 - 4:10 PM.

[AntsAreUs]

4-15-18

Still nothing new 

Have you kept them in a dark environment? Might I recommend adding some substrate to the test tube?

[Mettcollsuss]

I'll try the substrate thing, thanks.