10 replies to this topic

[Devi]

First Entry:  Sep. 18 2020

 

      I found this queen a couple of months ago up in the mountains.  I was out hiking in the mountains, (Twin Lakes) and of course was turning over all the rocks/bark I could find.  I was just giving up hope in frustration, (I couldn't find anything and I had been out looking for ants for hours) when I turned over a rock and found something big and black dart into a hole.  I got out my trusty digging tool, (I think it was a hammer then so I could get underneath bark too) and went to town.  I unearthed a beautiful formica fusca queen.  I quickly got out a test tube, and trapped her.  I was really worried about altitude change on the way home, but she (and a lasius I found) both made it home.  I had some mini hearths coming that I had ordered a few months before, and they got here days after I found this queen.  I put her in a mini hearth and watched her progress.

 

     I saw she had layed an egg after about a week and got super excited she was fertile.  I proceeded to watch her, and she soon had a larvae!  She didn't have any other eggs, but that's OK.  After a while, that larvae turned into a pupae, and a few days ago, I was doing a routine check on her and found a nanitic!!  I was super excited but didn't take any pictures as to not disturb her.  I will try to get some later if I can.  I was worried that she might be too tired to make more brood before hibernation, but yesterday I checked on her with a red light, (as to not disturb her,) and I saw the nanitic was holding an egg!  Long live the queen!  I am super excited to keep formica and didn't make this journal sooner because I was afraid she might not make it.  I will post updates and pictures soon!

 

Thank you for reading.

 

Be kinder than necessary,

Devi

 

[Kaelwizard]

I want pics. And remember, it’s not F. fusca, it is a different species in the fusca group.

[Devi]

I want pics. And remember, it’s not F. fusca, it is a different species in the fusca group.

I am on a "don't check on my ants for a week" hiatus in hopes this helps them grow, but it mainly applies to my pogonomrymex queen I have been struggling so much with.  I will try to get good pics tonight or tomorrow. 

[Devi]

Second Entry:  Oct. 26 2020

 

A few of you have asked for updates on my journals, so I decided I'd take some time to update them all.  

 

I got a picture of the nanitic, so I will post it here! @Kaelwizard.  I put the queen (who is in a mini hearth) in hibernation with her nanitic last week.  I think next year I am going to switch her out for a test tube, because she has loads of room.  I am hoping that they both survive and then thrive next year!

 

You can somewhat see the queen in the top left area.

 

Thanks for reading.

 

Be kinder than necessary,

Devi

 

[Spazmops]

That’s a really pretty worker! Does she have a brownish gaster or is she psysogastric?

[RushmoreAnts]

That’s a really pretty worker! Does she have a brownish gaster or is she psysogastric?

Doesn’t look brown to me. It’s striped with shiny silvery color, of which is common amongst Formica.

[Spazmops]

 

That’s a really pretty worker! Does she have a brownish gaster or is she psysogastric?

Doesn’t look brown to me. It’s striped with shiny silvery color, of which is common amongst Formica.

 

You're right, I guess I didn't look very closely at it.

[Devi]

 

That’s a really pretty worker! Does she have a brownish gaster or is she psysogastric?

Doesn’t look brown to me. It’s striped with shiny silvery color, of which is common amongst Formica.

 

Right on the money, ADak.

[Ants_Dakota]

just like my queen with 1 nanitic. i am afraid she will not make it though.

[Devi]

just like my queen with 1 nanitic. i am afraid she will not make it though.

Best of luck!

[Ants_Dakota]

 

just like my queen with 1 nanitic. i am afraid she will not make it though.

Best of luck!

 

thanks! i think i need it!