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**SEE LINK**Ferox's Strumigenys louisianae Journal (Updated 5/14/2021)


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#1 Offline Ferox_Formicae - Posted May 8 2019 - 5:00 PM

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So last August, I had captured a very large colony of Strumigenys membranifera that were nesting about a foot away from the base of a small elm tree. The colony had three queens! The next morning, I checked on them, and they were all dead. In November, I flipped over a rock at my park, and next to a colony of termites was a large colony of Strumigenys louisianae! The next morning, I checked on them, they were all dead. I later found out that the reason was because I never gave them any hydration in their temporary holding containers, and they are VERY sensitive about that, but it was too late. Today, I decided to scoop up a bit of soil from the base of that same elm tree, and the first ant I saw was a Strumigenys individual! I took a closer look at her and she was a Strumigenys louisianae, and not only that, but a queen! I looked through more of the soil and found another StrumigenysStrumigenys membranifera, and a worker. I looked more, and I finally came across a Strumigenys louisianae worker! I looked more, and even scooped up some more soil samples, but that was it, a queen and a worker. It's a shame that there aren't more, but at least I've got Strumigenys:yahoo:


Edited by Ferox_Formicae, May 17 2021 - 4:55 AM.

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Camponotus chromaiodes, Camponotus nearcticus, Stigmatomma pallipesStrumigenys brevisetosaStrumigenys clypeataStrumigenys louisianaeStrumigenys membraniferaStrumigenys reflexaStrumigenys rostrata

 

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#2 Offline Ferox_Formicae - Posted May 8 2019 - 7:33 PM

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I have got them in a setup. It's a rather simplistic setup, but it allows for optimal viewing. I'm housing them in my clearest container. It has an easily removable lid on it, so that's nice. On the bottom of the formicarium is a layer of cotton, which can be hydrated through a tiny hole at the bottom. Over the cotton is a thick, white sheet of poster-board cut to size. In the center of that is a small hole, from which a piece of cotton emerges, below which is the hole, so it's easy to hydrate the ants. There is a very small amount of soil in the formicarium to make the ants feel more comfortable. I gave them a springtail, but they have yet to touch it. I would love to see these guys eat. I hear it's really cool, especially because this specific species of Strumigenys is a trap-jaw ant. In fact, whenever I'm talking about this species to someone who doesn't know ant scientific names, I often refer to these ants as Louisiana Miniature Trap-jaw Ants, or simply Miniature Trap-jaw Ants. In the past, I've observed these ants clicking their jaws against a tiny needlepoint, sending them flying back. Whenever this colony gets larger, that'd be fun to see.


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Camponotus chromaiodes, Camponotus nearcticus, Stigmatomma pallipesStrumigenys brevisetosaStrumigenys clypeataStrumigenys louisianaeStrumigenys membraniferaStrumigenys reflexaStrumigenys rostrata

 

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#3 Offline Ferox_Formicae - Posted May 9 2019 - 3:24 AM

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Just as I had suspected, they decided to move onto the cotton in the middle of their enclosure. They seem to like very wet areas the best. They still haven't touched the springtail though.


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Camponotus chromaiodes, Camponotus nearcticus, Stigmatomma pallipesStrumigenys brevisetosaStrumigenys clypeataStrumigenys louisianaeStrumigenys membraniferaStrumigenys reflexaStrumigenys rostrata

 

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#4 Offline Ferox_Formicae - Posted May 9 2019 - 7:11 PM

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They just caught their first springtail! It was actually the queen that caught one. A springtail, roughly the same size as the queen, blundered stupidly onto her head, and was instantly seized. The queen recoiled, and stung the captured springtail. The worker, who was on the opposite side of the formicarium, walked over to her a few minutes later to enjoy the feast. I suspect that this colony will do just fine.


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Camponotus chromaiodes, Camponotus nearcticus, Stigmatomma pallipesStrumigenys brevisetosaStrumigenys clypeataStrumigenys louisianaeStrumigenys membraniferaStrumigenys reflexaStrumigenys rostrata

 

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#5 Offline ponerinecat - Posted May 9 2019 - 8:29 PM

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I is jealous


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#6 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted May 10 2019 - 7:13 AM

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Me too.
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#7 Offline Ferox_Formicae - Posted May 10 2019 - 7:32 PM

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Posted a quick little video on these ants on Ferox Formicae of you wanted to see what these absolutely gorgeous ants look like!  (y)

 


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Camponotus chromaiodes, Camponotus nearcticus, Stigmatomma pallipesStrumigenys brevisetosaStrumigenys clypeataStrumigenys louisianaeStrumigenys membraniferaStrumigenys reflexaStrumigenys rostrata

 

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#8 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted May 10 2019 - 7:38 PM

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AC music really? :lol:

#9 Offline Ferox_Formicae - Posted May 10 2019 - 7:42 PM

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AC music really? :lol:

I mean, I could've used something by TheFatRat, but I just stuck with Jingle Punks instead. I'm not entirely sure why though.


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Camponotus chromaiodes, Camponotus nearcticus, Stigmatomma pallipesStrumigenys brevisetosaStrumigenys clypeataStrumigenys louisianaeStrumigenys membraniferaStrumigenys reflexaStrumigenys rostrata

 

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#10 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted May 10 2019 - 7:44 PM

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Kidding. :lol: Where would I find some of these?

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, May 10 2019 - 7:45 PM.

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#11 Offline Ferox_Formicae - Posted May 10 2019 - 7:50 PM

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Kidding. :lol: Where would I find some of these?

I've found them under rocks before. I found these ones at the base of an elm tree, however. They also like to hang out around Aphaenogaster tennesseensis nests, although I've never seen Aphaenogaster tennesseensis. They also like to nest in rotting wood. Just look for drier to semi-moist areas with lots of springtails. They love their springtails!


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Camponotus chromaiodes, Camponotus nearcticus, Stigmatomma pallipesStrumigenys brevisetosaStrumigenys clypeataStrumigenys louisianaeStrumigenys membraniferaStrumigenys reflexaStrumigenys rostrata

 

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#12 Offline Leo - Posted May 10 2019 - 11:08 PM

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what's funny is I could probably find a few colonies if i tried. but I don't due to the fact i'm too lazy to care for so many ants.



#13 Offline Ferox_Formicae - Posted May 12 2019 - 9:52 AM

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I think that the queen should be laying eggs soon, if she hasn't already! She hasn't been moving from one of the corners of the formicarium too much, and her daughter has been sticking with her quite a bit too. I'll have to look at them a bit closer to see if there are any eggs. ;)


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Camponotus chromaiodes, Camponotus nearcticus, Stigmatomma pallipesStrumigenys brevisetosaStrumigenys clypeataStrumigenys louisianaeStrumigenys membraniferaStrumigenys reflexaStrumigenys rostrata

 

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#14 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted May 12 2019 - 10:08 AM

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Mine died.

#15 Offline Ferox_Formicae - Posted May 12 2019 - 10:12 AM

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Mine died.

That's a shame.  :(


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Camponotus chromaiodes, Camponotus nearcticus, Stigmatomma pallipesStrumigenys brevisetosaStrumigenys clypeataStrumigenys louisianaeStrumigenys membraniferaStrumigenys reflexaStrumigenys rostrata

 

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#16 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted May 12 2019 - 10:17 AM

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Wasn't really fond of my colony. They had kept dying with no brood to replace the workers.

#17 Offline Ferox_Formicae - Posted May 12 2019 - 10:18 AM

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Wasn't really fond of my colony. They had kept dying with no brood to replace the workers.

I wonder why they kept dying.


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Camponotus chromaiodes, Camponotus nearcticus, Stigmatomma pallipesStrumigenys brevisetosaStrumigenys clypeataStrumigenys louisianaeStrumigenys membraniferaStrumigenys reflexaStrumigenys rostrata

 

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#18 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted May 12 2019 - 10:19 AM

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I don't know. They had PLENTY of water in their nest. Maybe they weren't eating.

#19 Offline Ferox_Formicae - Posted May 12 2019 - 10:20 AM

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I don't know. They had PLENTY of water in their nest. Maybe they weren't eating.

What kind of springtails were you feeding them? I know that they won't accept certain species.


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Camponotus chromaiodes, Camponotus nearcticus, Stigmatomma pallipesStrumigenys brevisetosaStrumigenys clypeataStrumigenys louisianaeStrumigenys membraniferaStrumigenys reflexaStrumigenys rostrata

 

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#20 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted May 12 2019 - 10:21 AM

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Little white ones.




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