12 replies to this topic

[Zdravko]

  Hi guys! Furst, I`m Zdravko Dimov, 15 years old, from small town in Bulgaria (Dobrich). I doing this hobby from 1 year. Here in Bulgaria we don`t have any ant shops, because there are some peoples who doing this hobby (200-300 max). Delivery is expensive. Because of that, we make everything diy.

  At the moment, I have 1 colony of Messor sructor (I made it for 6 months from Ytong, wood, clay, and etc.), it is my pride, because I make it with very few tools- screwdriver, peace of glass, arm-saw, pencil and ruler. For this base of tools it got OK. Before some days i moved them in their new home- Ytong farm. They feel very good. Pictures:

 

https://photos.app.g...iDrxd5r9pupBAg1

https://photos.app.g...liZd0WEItGc0mi2

https://photos.app.g...XKZOkPrsSGin4u2

https://photos.app.g...90j7PJbfqCYzdj2

https://photos.app.g...ce83ebh96sGsaq2

https://photos.app.g...DpWPV5mDLq5Hh93

https://photos.app.g...xHPMSci7ehnGxk1

https://photos.app.g...s3j3w1UfZe80El1

https://photos.app.g...T5Lzf9txLS1YCh1

https://photos.app.g...mWRkPu0LMdLuRe2

 

 I also have 3 other species in tubes- Solenopsis phugax, Lasius niger and Lasius brunneus. Can I brood boost Messor structor with one of these species eggs? Give your advice and opinion. Thanks for reading!

 

 Sorry for my not verry good english, I hope you understand me. 

[Hunter]

I'm not sure but i don't think you can cross species brood boost, cool nest tho

Edited by Hunter, February 28 2018 - 5:17 AM.

[T.C.]

Hello Zdravko,

 

The nest looks good, especially that wooden lid. As for the brood boost, only in rare cases can a colony be brood boosted with a different species. The queen either has to be a parasitic ant species, meaning it needs a host colony to be successful. And even with these parasitic species they only use a few different species as a host. Species like Lasius umbratus only use other Lasius species as a host. In cases of brood boosting non-parasitic ants, you cannot use another Genus either. They are too different. In fact even if they are are the same Genus there is a good chance there will be no success. They would likely kill them as soon as they became ants. Even if they don't kill them, they will likely not contribute to the colony in any way. But you definetly cannot brood boost with a different Genus.

[FeedTheAnts]

That is a great nest you've built. I love Messor ants, hope your colony does well.

[Zdravko]

Thanks for your attention and greethings! Your forum is very active and friendly, I like it. In this topic I will upload development of my colony and small questions.

[Zdravko]

  Hello! The problem is that there is very low quantity of eggs (2-3) in the Messor structor colony. Is this normal for this period of year? Now in Bulgaria is end of winter and I woke up them before 2 weeks. Are there any ways to boost them expect brood boosting? (for example to add other queen Messor structor?!).

  Third qestion is very important to me. What it happens with produced princess in the artifical colony and why people doesn`t use them and males to produce qeens (It maybe will expensive, but why not for rare species)? I search information about this, but i don`t found. 

 

I hope you understand me, I know that there are a lots of grammatical mistakes, but I work on It intensive. Greetings!

[T.C.]

The only way to boost the colony will be be to brood boost with their own species. Sometimes colonies can take a while to grow.

[Jonathan21700]

Здравей и добре дошъл във форума!

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Edited by Jonathan21700, March 1 2018 - 12:02 PM.

[Zdravko]

Jonathan21700 Здрасти, каква приятна среща! Аз съм zoomravka от antday. Така ще е, в нашите форуми като няма жива душа тук ще пишем.. Доста си активен- 750 поста. Добре!

 

Jonathan21700 Hello, nice to meet you! I`m zoomravka from antday. It will be this way, our forum is empty.. Here we will write. You are very active- 750 posts. Nice! 

[NikolaBale]

The nest is quite good and different but id rather enjoy the ants rather than working so much on designing the aesthetics of the nest it self.

My opinion 

[YsTheAnt]

It's normal for egg production to not be as high in early spring/when colonies just emerge from hibernation. Wait a few weeks, and it should start to increase. The fact that the queen is laying eggs already after winter is a good sign.

Edited by YsTheAnt, March 2 2018 - 7:32 AM.

[Jonathan21700]

Така е да. Хубаво е че си попаднал на този форум, той е най-добрия от англоговорещите. 

Интересно гнездо между другото. А до въпроса ти, нормално е по това време да имат не много яйца но със времето би трябвало да станат повече ако всичко е наред. Още нещо, като яйцата станат на ларви, започни да им даваш протеин, не разчитай само на семена. Успех!

Yes, you are right. I am happy you found this forum it's the best from the english speaking ones.

Edited by Jonathan21700, March 2 2018 - 7:43 AM.

[Zdravko]

NikolaBale I love art and biology and because of that, I decided to combine them. But, yes, a matter of interests...

 

  Today I found 2 mistakes in workmanship of farm wich will cost the life of my ants..                 First is related to hidration, in the nest is very dry.  Second is that I made the floor of farm from clay and when I moisten it, ants become strange, they tilts their bellies under their chests. I must photo It.   Years ago people said- "The smart one learn from his mistakes. The wise one learn from mistakes of others"  Because of that I want to advice you- Better is to start with simply nest. Not any wooden boards, not any details. This applies and in life. But, the time will tell what It happen with my nest.

Thanks for your attention!