10 replies to this topic

[disasterants]

Now I recently caught 3 different camponotus sp. queens all cocoon spinning and I have been told  by others that they don't like putting cocoon spinning species in test tube setups since their larvae need some substrate to grip on to. Now I just had a crazy idea: what if I provide the substrate in the form of sawdust by cupping the disposable cotton makeup pad (which I am using as an alternative to a cotton ball for plugging up my test tubes) around the sawdust so that my ants can access it as they need without it getting all over their tube? Now before I go on and try this out, does anybody  think that this is a dumb idea? And has anybody tried this before? If so, what was the outcome? Please let me know...

EDIT: I forgot to mention that they are already in test tube setups but WITHOUT the substrate which I mentioned earlier...

Edited by disasterants, May 21 2018 - 8:58 AM.

[Canadian anter]

They usually use the other brood or the cotton.

[disasterants]

They usually use the other brood or the cotton.

But I have heard that if they use the cotton, it could result in the brood getting strangled

[GeorgeK]

I keep l. nigers which spin cocoons. I keep them in clean test tube and i never had problems with them so far

[Jadeninja9]

Never had a problem with my Camponotus colony.

[dermy]

I have never had a problem with any of my Camponotus using cotton. Heck before reading this thread I've never heard of any problems with larval spinning cocoons using cotton. If you are really concerned just use baked sand [yes bake it to sterilize it just in case] and add just a bit to the test-tube.

[noebl1]

My Lasius have no problems at all.  However once they get large enough to require being placed in a small outworld, I add coconut fiber and sand for them to carry in for whatever purpose from adjusting their nest opening, to dealing with floods/mold in the test tube, to placing in with the pupae.

 

EDIT: I know I've seen others mentioning adding a bit of substrate to test tubes without a big problem out of potential worry for substrate (I personally never have for these.)

Edited by noebl1, May 21 2018 - 11:37 AM.

[Mettcollsuss]

I have even had Camponotus and Formica make exarate pupae. And my small Lasius alienus colony seems to have no trouble spinning cocoons in a test tube. You can add some substrate if you like, though.

[Penguin]

I haven't had any problems with my Formica sp. pupae, only one queens pupae of my 3 queens didn't create cocoons

[Serafine]

My entire first batch of Lasius niger workers pupated naked and it wasn't an issue. Then the new-born workers carried sand in the tubes and now I rarely see naked pupae.

[disasterants]

okay, I've decided to leave them how they are for now... If I have problem's with them in the future such as brood miscarriage, then I will try it out.