25 replies to this topic

[MrCobalt]

One month ago I caught two Tetramorium Immigrans queens in my pool, they were put in test tubes and left alone and they both laid eggs. I then got them some tupperware that I attached to the tube. This was later, when they had larvae. One moved out of the test tube and into the tupperware and dug a tunnel and locked herself up. The other queen stayed. Currently one queen has a pupae ready to eclose and the other only has larvae. I can't get any pics right now.

[DaveJay]

Best of luck with them!

[MrCobalt]

Ok, the pupa is SO close. I'm ready for a worker tomorrow. Here are some pics of the two queens.

 

Queen made her own nest!

 

Pupae almost ready to eclose.

[MrCobalt]

Pupae eclosed! Here it is! Not yet hardened, still curled up. it was stolen I hope it's the right species.

[TheAntGuy]

Looks awesome, good luck!

[MrCobalt]

The worker moves now! Here is a video!

 

[DaveJay]

Nice video , interesting to see the Queen stroking it to get a response.

[MrCobalt]

Alright! new update! the old queen died, my second one is still alive. She had 2 workers, but one sadly died. She laid more eggs now, so when those hatch she will have more workers. Will post a video soon

Edited by MrCobalt, September 25 2018 - 12:16 PM.

[MrCobalt]

NEW UPDATE 11/14: My ants are doing amazing!!

The queen laid many eggs since the last update, and they are now all eclosing to workers. She is soon to have 10 - 20 workers, just ready for hibernation.

This time I might actually make a vid. And I will make an update on Saturday when I check on them.

[MrCobalt]

There are so many workers now, but they refuse to move, even though their test tube is moldy. I'm gonna try a few methods of getting them to move. Anyone got suggestions?

[ANTdrew]

With my Tetramorium, I've found that moving takes a couple of days. I put the new tube in their tub and give them a while to find it and explore. Then when I shine a maglight on them, they start moving real quick. I also always have a cover over their tube at all times for their comfort (I cut old toilet paper tubes in half for covers), so I think they respond to light pretty well.

[MrCobalt]

@ANTdrew I got them to move

[ANTdrew]

Excellent! They’re a really efficient species in their own way. That’s why they are such a dominant species.
Are you going to hibernate them now? I have one of my colonies still foraging in my 46 degree closet. Tetramorium are a fricking force of nature.

[MrCobalt]

@ANTdrew I might. I'm concerned about hibernating with the size of the colony. Some people on the forum say it's not necessary to hibernate them, and that they will rest by themselves.

[ANTdrew]

Yeah, I've read a lot of conflicting stuff about hibernating this species. I checked on the one I have at 66 degrees, and there are no pupae and only really tiny larvae. That makes me think that the queen has stopped laying, so it does seem like they are resting on their own. I may do an experiment keeping one in the 40s and the other at winter-room temp to see which fares better. I really miss seeing the explosive brood growth and mass feeding responses I did when they were really warm.

[MrCobalt]

@ANTdrew ya I'm keeping mine out so thaqt they have less risk of death from cold

I also don't have anywhere to put them

[MrCobalt]

12/27/18 UPDATE!!!:

Hello Everyone!! For Christmas, I got a formicarium for my ants, and I have moved them in. They are living happily in their nest, and I recorded a video of them on my channel. Here is the video:

Also if u want you can subscribe(Pls don't ban me lol)

I fed them some cricket legs and there is one worker who goes out and "Hunts". They seem to very much enjoy the place, and they settled on the top floor of the dryer section(I over watered). Next time I will make sure not to put as much water in. I will have to get used to the formicarium and see what my ants like or moisture.

[ANTdrew]

Good update. I hope your Tetras do very well in the new formicarium. I finally drank the kool-aid and got both of my Tetra colonies to hibernate in my mini-fridge. It took them forever to give up. I’ll keep them in there until February. I’m planning to make a dirt box set up for them like the ones DSPREW makes, so I’ll keep you posted on that.

[MrCobalt]

Good update. I hope your Tetras do very well in the new formicarium. I finally drank the kool-aid and got both of my Tetra colonies to hibernate in my mini-fridge. It took them forever to give up. I’ll keep them in there until February. I’m planning to make a dirt box set up for them like the ones DSPREW makes, so I’ll keep you posted on that.

Neat! I'm gonna post another update now.

[MrCobalt]

12/31/18: Ants Have settled down

 

My colony has settled down a bit now, they are resting even without cold

I don't want to move them to the fridge for two reasons: One is that I don't want them to die, they are a very small colony, and Two is I don't want to shake them around too much, so I won't. My youtube channel is now one year old!!!!

Here is an ant slideshow I made of my ants: