842 replies to this topic

[YsTheAnt]

@YsTheAnt

How are you planning on setting up your tetramorium queens?

Lol I'll tell you anyways, I just test tubed them single.

[sirjordanncurtis]

haha, thanks.

 

I meant nvm when I tried to delete my previous post, which was a question about your blacklights which you had already mentioned.

 

I put 4 in a small tube; there's one I'm not sure if it is actually fertile, but they have a collection of maybe 20 eggs now.

 

Found another one today for some weird reason. I'm going to try it your way. Are you planning on brood boosting?

[YsTheAnt]

They are not known to be polygenous, so I would keep some separate.

I wouldn't brood boost, they are super easy and don't require it.

[sirjordanncurtis]

I don't really plan on keeping all of them separate, as I'm running out of tubes. They are known to pile eggs together and share chambers during the claustral stage, and I think putting them together might help the eventual One Queen get more workers faster. This sort of feels a bit harsh to the queens, but it might also be easier that way. 

[YsTheAnt]

Very true, although it might result in the loss of a few entire groups, since the queens can get injured and die later after fighting each other. In any case, I am sure you will end up with some successful queens.

[sirjordanncurtis]

Definitely some more than others. Half the queens have lost limbs  . 

I don't think they actually fight each other much, at least not until the workers come...

Have you noticed any strange behavior in queens that you believe are infertile? I want to sort of mark those out (if possible)

[YsTheAnt]

Formica cf. moki is flying today. Looking just before dusk for queens out and about seems to be the way to go with these guys.

Definitely some more than others. Half the queens have lost limbs .
I don't think they actually fight each other much, at least not until the workers come...
Have you noticed any strange behavior in queens that you believe are infertile? I want to sort of mark those out (if possible)

They don't groom themselves much, pull at the cotton, and are more jumpy than fertile ones (usually).

[RickyK]

Do you think Formica will fly tonight as well?

[Derpy]

Yes, but they usually fly in the morning. YsTheAnt caught many in his pool today, but most are likely infertile.

[RickyK]

Thanks for the reply. My kid has already caught a few Tetromoniums, and (possible) Camponotus. ..

... which I may likely have killed because I couldn't leave it alone. She kept tugging on the cotton and didn't seem happy. So I gave it honey (even though i know she's claustral and my son wisely/ criticized me for constantly checking on her etc) thought wood shavings might make her comfortable. Now i can't find her for sure but i think I see her body wedged in a roll of wood shaving and not moving when jostled.

I feel awful I killed the first, and biggest queen he caught.

Those tetromonium queens don't seem to care i check on them 3 times a day...2 of 3 definitely have eggs. And third possibly has eggs too despite a missing leg. But Camponotus queen.....is skittish comparatively.

I wish tetromonium wasn't a house pest though...I worry about ants geting loose....

Do you know if any more Camponotus will fly in San Jose region this summer? I think nationally they will still have flights this month...so yes?
If no flights, I'll buy a queen and promise to leave it alone...

[dspdrew]

Formica cf. moki is flying today. Looking just before dusk for queens out and about seems to be the way to go with these guys

 

You sure it was F. moki? They usually fly a little later, and I know that F. francoeuri just flew yesterday in Central CA.

[YsTheAnt]

Formica cf. moki is flying today. Looking just before dusk for queens out and about seems to be the way to go with these guys

You sure it was F. moki? They usually fly a little later, and I know that F. francoeuri just flew yesterday in Central CA.

No actually, it was quite a bit larger. In the moment I was just guessing.

[dspdrew]

 

 

Formica cf. moki is flying today. Looking just before dusk for queens out and about seems to be the way to go with these guys

You sure it was F. moki? They usually fly a little later, and I know that F. francoeuri just flew yesterday in Central CA.

No actually, it was quite a bit larger. In the moment I was just guessing.

 

 

Should be easy to tell the difference, F. moki are almost completely bald, whereas F. francoeuri are really hairy.

[miksha]

Are these two queens?           

 

https://imgur.com/e6NMDj3

https://imgur.com/4GBpEzf

 

 

Also what species is this, it was near the beach in marin

 

https://imgur.com/euZRmXt

https://imgur.com/NlTgUH0

[YsTheAnt]

Are these two queens?

https://imgur.com/e6NMDj3
https://imgur.com/4GBpEzf


Also what species is this, it was near the beach in marin

https://imgur.com/euZRmXt
https://imgur.com/NlTgUH0

Unfortunately, no queens. All of the photos show camponotus species. May I ask where you found the one in your second link (the second one in the entire post)?

[sirjordanncurtis]

What kind of substrate do you guys use?

[miksha]

Can anyone recommend a good reliable blacklight?

[YsTheAnt]

https://www.amazon.c...5544?th=1&psc=1
I use this with good success. Throw a white sheet over it, and add some supports so the sheet is elevated and the light spreads out. I have caught numerous queens this way.

[sirjordanncurtis]

https://www.amazon.c...5544?th=1&psc=1
I use this with good success. Throw a white sheet over it, and add some supports so the sheet is elevated and the light spreads out. I have caught numerous queens this way.

 24in?

 

How often do you check on it? Do you leave it on all the time?

Edited by sirjordanncurtis, June 11 2018 - 2:40 PM.

[sirjordanncurtis]

Is anyone planning on anting or going on a trip anytime soon?