21 replies to this topic

[AntsAreUs]

Caught this queen a couple days ago underneath a stone slab in my backyard. I introduced 5 workers and 3 larva and some eggs from my A. rudis colony and they gathered around the queen right away. They are covering her so I couldn't get a good shot of her colorfulness. She is a deep red and has a nice set of spines.

 

Edited by AntsAreUs, June 26 2018 - 7:30 AM.

[Mettcollsuss]

I've always wanted A. tennesseensis! Very beautiful species.

[AntsAreUs]

I've always wanted A. tennesseensis! Very beautiful species.

That was actually the majority of the colonies I found in my woods. They have bright yellow-orange gasters, I love them.

Edited by AntsAreUs, April 28 2018 - 3:17 PM.

[Mettcollsuss]

I've seen A. tennesseensis workers around here, but never a queen.

[AntsAreUs]

Here is a much better pic of her:

 

[Enderz]

Wow looks very nice, hope you can rear them to a big size!

[FeedTheAnts]

Impressive. Hands down, Aphaenogaster tennesseensis is one of my top three favorite ants. Hope they do well and that the queen gets her own workers.

[AntsAreUs]

Update 5-16-18

 

Eggs have been laid and they have made a series of tunnels with pulled cotton which is pretty neat.

 

[Kevin]

I've attempted this species before with an actual colony and queen. Everything went well all the way until the Aphaenogaster tennesseensis brood got the the pupae stage, then the host workers went rogue and killed the queen. I wish you the best of luck with this colony!

[AntsAreUs]

I've attempted this species before with an actual colony and queen. Everything went well all the way until the Aphaenogaster tennesseensis brood got the the pupae stage, then the host workers went rogue and killed the queen. I wish you the best of luck with this colony!

I've actually been told that in chat, I plan on removing the host workers if anything problematic occurs.

 

EDIT - I meant after the parasitic workers arrive, my bad.

Edited by AntsAreUs, May 16 2018 - 4:50 PM.

[AntsAreUs]

6/6/18

 

I'd say they are progressing very nicely so far. Plenty of eggs and new A. rudis workers.

 

[super_oil]

Awesome colony! Aphaenogaster ants always gave me a majestic vibe, I wish to keep them one day.

Edited by super_oil, June 6 2018 - 6:30 AM.

[noebl1]

Wow I love the look of these.  The "Field Guide to New England Ants" I believe has them as their cover image as well.   Last year I saw *one* Aphaenogaster drone I believe was an A. tennesseensis based on time of year flying.  I've only found A. rudis and A. picea queens so far.  

 

I also didn't realize how rapidly Aphaenogaster grow.  Once they get their first nanitic and she starts readily bringing protein, the queen starts pumping out eggs super fast.  Within a couple months there's a huge surge in workers; I wasn't expecting this.

[AntsAreUs]

I decided to record a video on them since there aren't too many on Youtube.

 

[AntsAreUs]

7/2/18

 

They have some medium sized larva now and a cluster of eggs. I'm not sure if they are new eggs or previous eggs.

Edited by AntsAreUs, July 9 2018 - 5:40 PM.

[AntsAreUs]

7/9/18

 

They now have 1 A. tennesseensis pupa.

 

[AntsAreUs]

7/21/18

 

They got their first worker. The queen is holding it in place for some reason.

 

[AntsAreUs]

7/29/18

 

There is now 3 A. tennesseensis workers. The queen starting laying eggs again.

 

[AntsAreUs]

The new workers are starting to forage. They love boiled egg it seems.

 

[TennesseeAnts]

I finaly got one of these.