1787 replies to this topic

[CoolColJ]

Good to see you back.

I don't have as much time and as hardcore about ants as I once was, so I won't be here as much as I'd like, but once in a while I will pop in

[CoolColJ]

Colony update - Autumn 2nd April 2022
 
Melophorus sp.- black orange 7-8mm queen
3D printed nest with gypsum base
7 workers - no brood?

I took a look at them and the few brood they had was gone...
After 4+ seasons and now colony growth... I decided to finally move them out of that crappy aryclic test tube style founding nest into a 3D printed nest, with gypsum floor.
Has magnetic glass top, and THA style externally refillable mesh topped water tank, that you can see the water levels in the external opening.

I pretty much has to tip them into the outworld of this new nest, as the old nest is all screws and sealed up.
Lucky they all slipped out easily enough.
The queen found the nest opening within 5 mins and they all moved in quick smart and settled in within the hour.

So I counted 7 workers, and I hope they survive till spring as it's autumn now.
And they only lay in summer and love heat.
Unfortunate;y this nest can't be heated without causing lots of condensation






 
Pheidole antipodum 14-15mm queen
Queen 10, former member of dual queen - simple tub and tubes
5000-1000? workers and some majors of all sizes - massive brood pile spread across 4 test tubes
 
I think this colony finally has a few majors close to the biggest super major size now.
Close to 1cm in length

Here they are swarming sugar water and a roach

[CoolColJ]

So I was feeding my small species red Pheidole colony, whose queen I found in my backyard under a brick, and I noticed what appears to be a medial class, much smaller than the majors
Even the head shape is different.
 

Edited by CoolColJ, April 4 2022 - 4:27 AM.

[ANTdrew]

You’re the Pheidole king.

[CoolColJ]

You’re the Pheidole king.

I love Pheidole, and most polymorphic species

[JCRHJM]

Colony update - Autumn 2nd April 2022
 
Melophorus sp.- black orange 7-8mm queen
3D printed nest with gypsum base
7 workers - no brood?

I took a look at them and the few brood they had was gone...
After 4+ seasons and now colony growth... I decided to finally move them out of that crappy aryclic test tube style founding nest into a 3D printed nest, with gypsum floor.
Has magnetic glass top, and THA style externally refillable mesh topped water tank, that you can see the water levels in the external opening.

I pretty much has to tip them into the outworld of this new nest, as the old nest is all screws and sealed up.
Lucky they all slipped out easily enough.
The queen found the nest opening within 5 mins and they all moved in quick smart and settled in within the hour.

So I counted 7 workers, and I hope they survive till spring as it's autumn now.
And they only lay in summer and love heat.
Unfortunate;y this nest can't be heated without causing lots of condensation






 
Pheidole antipodum 14-15mm queen
Queen 10, former member of dual queen - simple tub and tubes
5000-1000? workers and some majors of all sizes - massive brood pile spread across 4 test tubes
 
I think this colony finally has a few majors close to the biggest super major size now.
Close to 1cm in length

Here they are swarming sugar water and a roach

Would you ever consider moving the antipodum colony to a naturalistic terrarium?

[CoolColJ]

Would you ever consider moving the antipodum colony to a naturalistic terrarium?

Would be nice, but I just don't have room

[CreepysAntVibes]

wow... i have a iridomymex bickneli queen and i found another one but the size difference is quiet different as one is around 5-7mm and the other is around 10mm (give or take)