49 replies to this topic

[Mettcollsuss]

It looks like only 2 workers didn't survive hibernation. The queen's antennae are starting to twitch occasionally.

EDIT: The queen is actually moving a lot. I just saw her wave her legs around and her whole body twitched. She's waking up fast.

Edited by Mettcollsuss, February 3 2019 - 7:00 AM.

[Mettcollsuss]

The queen (and everyone else) is fully awake! It looks like they only suffered one casualty during hibernation.

[Mettcollsuss]

They're eating well and are very active. They're starting to disagree again. They've filled up on Sunburst nectar and taken three fruit flies.

[Mettcollsuss]

Some of the larvae have already resumed growth. I'm starting to see some 2nd instar larvae (they had all 1st going into hibernation). 

 

Yay!

Edited by Mettcollsuss, February 9 2019 - 1:06 PM.

[Mettcollsuss]

Already have some med-large larvae. I count 28 larvae in total.

[Mettcollsuss]

I just found a new egg laid. And one of the larvae is a little bigger than the worker caring for it. Might just be that it's just a larger minor worker, since the colony only has nanitics, but I'm hoping it'll be a media or major worker (although it'll probably just be a media).

Edited by Mettcollsuss, February 18 2019 - 1:49 PM.

[Macro_Ants]

Nice, I’ve got a 2k workers Camponotus pennsylvanicus colony, they’re pretty fun once they get past the super slow growth of the first year or two.

[Mettcollsuss]

They now have 15 eggs, 16 small larvae, 6 large larvae, and 3 very large larvae (larger than the workers). They have accepted and completely consumed two large mealworms in two days.

[Jadeninja9]

It’s aweosme they’re doing well

[TennesseeAnts]

Great job!

[Mettcollsuss]

Holy heck is their brood pile getting big. We have 3 pupae now and are eating everything I give them. They're onto their fourth mealworm and are drinking Sunburst nonstop.

[Mettcollsuss]

They now have a few media pupae!

 

Inside the nest

 

In the outworld (workers drinking Sunburst)

Edited by Mettcollsuss, March 1 2019 - 6:08 AM.

[Mettcollsuss]

The queen finally shed her last remaining wing (or the workers took it off for her)! They have many more pupae now, including a naked pupae, which I have never seen in this species. Some eggs have started hatching as well.

[Mettcollsuss]

They have a really large larvae half the size of the queen and really plump. It might even turn out to be a major.

[Mettcollsuss]

First new worker eclosed! It looks in between a minor and a media. And we have some very dark pupae that should eclose any second now.

[Mettcollsuss]

The whole nest. The eggs are stored in the corner near the sponge. The pupae and larvae are kept in the bottom right corner near the heating cable. There's a particularly large pupae at the bottom that I'm watching closely. The queen is also usually right next to the brood pile or on top of it. The other corner of the sponge (where the queen is in this photo) is where they take feeder insects to process them.

 

A very dark pupae about to eclose

 

The new worker that just eclosed. My camera refused to focus on her for some reason.

 

Her Majesty's gaster is getting quite plump

 

A closer look at their brood pile

 

TONS of eggs

[ANTdrew]

Amazing! It sounds like they are thriving. I really hope to find some Camponotus queens to found this year. C. castanaeus is my dream...

[Rstheant]

You might have a major pupa!! Just find the largest pupa, it’s might be a major or (don’t jinx it) a median.

[TennesseeAnts]

That ain't a median. That fine sir, is your first major!

[Rstheant]

Indeed it is! A fine specimen. You’re queen has no sense of fashion, she needs to tear off the other wing!!! Reminds me of someone, cough, me, cough.

Edited by Rstheant, March 16 2019 - 3:55 PM.