10 replies to this topic

[dermy]

I collected this Queen [and all others that will be in this Journal] during the May 2018 Nuptial Flight:

 

She still has wings but I'm not counting that as "in-fertile" like some would suggest. I set her up in one of my Pill Bottle test-tube like setups with a child-resistant cap [that last part is super important for me] Here's a little video I made explaining the process some-what:

 

 

And finally here's the Camponotus herculeanus queen herself:

 

 

 

Unfortunately due to the slow start of this species there probably won't be much updates for awhile

[Karma]

Nice!!! I caught one on May 1st. I rarely see them in my area so I was pretty happy to find one. I'll be waiting to hear your progress!

 

The queen I caught has already laid about 6-8 eggs, hoping they hatch in the next month and a half.

 

Also just wanted to ask what temperature you keep these queens at, I try and keep mine between 26C and 31C, although the temp fluctuates quite a bit so it's hard to tell.

[dermy]

My temperature is a lot cooler than yours probably around 23-25c at best. I have limited areas to keep my ants/queens because my brother will kill them.

[GeorgeK]

I too had 2 queens with wings that were fertile. One even now has wings, even tho this is second year of the colony. Other queen had her wings removed by first workers

[Karma]

My temperature is a lot cooler than yours probably around 23-25c at best. I have limited areas to keep my ants/queens because my brother will kill them.

Ahhh I see, that's still good. Mine laid a couple more eggs. The queen actually had an egg stuck to her side and couldn't get it so I had to tilt her upside down so she fell and the egg fell off too, it was quite funny but turned out okay. Wondering what would've happened to the egg if I wasn't there to assist.

[YsTheAnt]

My temperature is a lot cooler than yours probably around 23-25c at best. I have limited areas to keep my ants/queens because my brother will kill them.

Ahhh I see, that's still good. Mine laid a couple more eggs. The queen actually had an egg stuck to her side and couldn't get it so I had to tilt her upside down so she fell and the egg fell off too, it was quite funny but turned out okay. Wondering what would've happened to the egg if I wasn't there to assist.

I have had a number of queens do this , it's hilarious. I never assist them, the eggs eventually make it back to the egg pile by themselves.

[Karma]

 

 

My temperature is a lot cooler than yours probably around 23-25c at best. I have limited areas to keep my ants/queens because my brother will kill them.

Ahhh I see, that's still good. Mine laid a couple more eggs. The queen actually had an egg stuck to her side and couldn't get it so I had to tilt her upside down so she fell and the egg fell off too, it was quite funny but turned out okay. Wondering what would've happened to the egg if I wasn't there to assist.

I have had a number of queens do this , it's hilarious. I never assist them, the eggs eventually make it back to the egg pile by themselves.

 

Hahahaha really? that's hilarious  . That's good then, I'll watch closely next time and not assist them to see what happens.

[dermy]

May 12th/2018

One of the queens has begun egg-laying:

 

It should be around 1.5 Months or a bit more till I get first workers. Usually sometime in July.

[kingz2015]

How sure are you that these queens are camponotus Herculeanus?

[Karma]

How sure are you that these queens are camponotus Herculeanus?

Well it can be really hard to tell just by the queen and even workers sometimes since Camponotus can have such varying colours and still be classified as the same specific species. Camponotus Herculeanus are most easily identified by red/orange legs along with (forgive me I don't know the technical terms for these things) the back part of the thorax (the part that's closest to the abdomen) being red/orange. The sides of thorax should also be red/orange too. Location can also be a good checker, seeing what species of Camponotus live in your area.

Edited by Karma, January 29 2019 - 10:29 PM.

[kingz2015]

Supposedly there are camponotus Herculeanus in New York and North of here, but I don't know anyone who has found any. I do know they're in Canada though.