21 replies to this topic

[Gregory2455]

This journal is probably going to end fast, but dammit I am going to make a journal for this queen! I found this queen in a shallow founding chamber on the side of the road leading up to Pinyon Pines, CA. The flight was reported by dspdrew when he went and caught a bunch. This species was originally thought to be Myrmecocystus yuma, but it was agreed to be called Myrmecocystus testaceus.This was my only catch of the trip. She has a dent on her gaster, which I expect is something like  dean_k 's Lasius neoniger queen, except a bit larger. For this queen, I plan on using the technique used by Ray Mendez for rearing honey pot ants, as shown in a video by  MrILoveTheAnts .

Edited by Gregory2455, February 20 2019 - 10:27 PM.

[LAnt]

Now I'm confused. I thought Drew went to Palm springs last weekend or is this some other trip?

Edit: Well i was looking at Pinion Pines but you went to pinyon pines. 

Edited by LAnt, February 15 2015 - 11:39 PM.

[Gregory2455]

Do you not hate it when two places are spelled nearly the same? 

[dspdrew]

Now I'm confused. I thought Drew went to Palm springs last weekend or is this some other trip?

Edit: Well i was looking at Pinion Pines but you went to pinyon pines. 

 

It was Palm DESERT. We were just up the mountain a little ways.

[dspdrew]

Those yellow legs totally look like M. testaceus. The ones I caught don't have yellow legs, and I think they are indeed M. yuma.

[Gregory2455]

Hehe same thing, no?

Those yellow legs totally look like M. testaceus. The ones I caught don't have yellow legs, and I think they are indeed M. yuma.

Hmm... Maybe we can share?

[dspdrew]

I really can't figure out what they are. I might just have to wait until one either has workers, or dies so I can put it on my microscope.

 

Edit: Actually Chromerust has one that died, so as soon as I get it, I'll find out for sure. Now if both species flew, then this won't really help.

Edited by dspdrew, February 16 2015 - 6:44 AM.

[Gregory2455]

Update: 2/24/2015

So she was moved into the setup successfully about a week ago, and she is doing good now.

[antmaniac]

Those yellow legs go well with the sand. By the way, how you keep the new set up moisturized?

[Miles]

 For this queen, I plan on using the technique used by Ray Mendez for rearing honey pot ants

Next time, I would recommend less sand, and to compact it onto the hydrostone base. That is also what Ray said regarding a setup that one of our instructors made for their queen.

[Gregory2455]

For this queen, I plan on using the technique used by Ray Mendez for rearing honey pot ants

Next time, I would recommend less sand, and to compact it onto the hydrostone base. That is also what Ray said regarding a setup that one of our instructors made for their queen.

Actually funny you say, it was compacted down, but she dug it up like this so I just decided to let her do it the way that makes her comfortable.

[LAnt]

Is she still kicking?

[Gregory2455]

Update: 3/17/2015

I removed a significant amount of the substrate a week ago, and she has a nice little pile of eggs now.

[Foogoo]

 

 For this queen, I plan on using the technique used by Ray Mendez for rearing honey pot ants

Next time, I would recommend less sand, and to compact it onto the hydrostone base. That is also what Ray said regarding a setup that one of our instructors made for their queen.

 

Hope this isn't too far off topic, what substrate does Ray and the other "professional" ant keepers use? Hydrostone also? Or something different?

 

And Greg, did you buy your Hydrostone locally?

[kellakk]

Foogoo, Ray apparently uses a hydrostone base with a little sand on top for founding Myrmecocystus (or was it Pogonomyrmex?)  The video where we found that out is in this thread.

[Gregory2455]

 

 

 For this queen, I plan on using the technique used by Ray Mendez for rearing honey pot ants

Next time, I would recommend less sand, and to compact it onto the hydrostone base. That is also what Ray said regarding a setup that one of our instructors made for their queen.

 

Hope this isn't too far off topic, what substrate does Ray and the other "professional" ant keepers use? Hydrostone also? Or something different?

 

And Greg, did you buy your Hydrostone locally?

 

It is a layer of hydrostone with a bit of loose sand on top.

[Gregory2455]

Update: 4/7/2015

She maintains a large pile of eggs, and I think I see the heads of larvae growing on a few.

[Alexant]

I love honey pot ants and would love to see how these turn out.

[Gregory2455]

Discontinued

I found her dead today... I think she was infertile. Hopefully my M.navajo do better. I am turning away from this setup, it doesn't suit the style of how I care for my ants...

Edited by Gregory2455, June 23 2015 - 11:36 PM.

[dspdrew]

I am turning away from this setup, it doesn't suit the style of how I care for my ants...

 

What do you mean by that?