4 replies to this topic

[Stung]

If you're a fan of keeping Pogonomyrmex, especially if you like setting them up to dig a nest in your set-up, I hope I can get some advice from you!

 

I am running an experiment that involves measuring traits of nests dug by Pogonomyrmex under different (lab-controlled) conditions. Of course, to do that, I have to have my Pogonomyrmex digging in the set-up I give them!

 

Any word on what Pogonomyrmex workers need to be motivated to dig? I've been using slightly moistened sand for the medium, which they seem to have limited interest in. If anyone knows a soil type, a useful cue that can trigger digging behavior, or knows of a resource that might guide the attempt, I'd be thrilled to hear from you! If this has been covered previously in the forum and I haven't done enough *digging* myself, please excuse both my cluelessness and bad attempts at humor.

 

Cheers!

[KBant]

make a hole/indent in the soil with a straw or small stick to star cueing them to dig from that low point.

[CampoKing]

Do you have any brood, or just workers?  The presence of ant brood (eggs/larvae/pupae) has a profound effect on worker behavior, including nest building.

Also, in my limited experience with a Pogonomyrmex queen, they are temperature-sensitive.  They prefer it warmer, around 27C, before they might settle down.  Cooler temperatures, including room temperature, makes them restless and want to seek out a warmer location.  Good luck!

[Stung]

 

 

make a hole/indent in the soil with a straw or small stick to star cueing them to dig from that low point.

KBant, thanks for the advice! I happen to know that helps because I needed to do that to get the Veromessor I was working with recently to dig. 

 

 

 

Do you have any brood, or just workers?  The presence of ant brood (eggs/larvae/pupae) has a profound effect on worker behavior, including nest building.

I only have workers, and I have been concerned about the lack of queen and brood for the study.. I'm sure you're right that worker behavior changes a lot with brood! Unfortunately, I don't think it will be possible to get a queen and brood on the timeline I'm working with. 

 

I may try subjecting them to different temperatures, that's a great point, CampoKing. I have an incubator so we'll see if sticking them in that does anything. Thanks!

 

Still taking suggestions, and I'll follow up here if I discover any tricks!

Edited by Stung, October 15 2018 - 6:29 PM.

[WestLA_DO]

It's been a while since I've only had workers of Pogonomyrmex (basically, when I was a kid and had no clue what I was doing), but I remember giving them moist dirt from where I found them and collecting a good number of them. Once you get one to dig, then the rest join in so it helps to have a decent number of them together.

As KB said, giving them a starting hole helps. I've done that with two of my colonies to get them to move into larger dirt setups and they used the starting hole both times.

I also generally keep them anywhere between 75 and 90 degrees F. I know, that's a large temperature range so sorry I can't be more specific (hotter in the day, cooler at night).

I usually just leave them and they'll have dug a new nest within 24 hours. Feel free to let me know if you have any specific questions and I can try to be more helpful.