149 replies to this topic

[FeedTheAnts]

I just caught another Colobopsis obliqua queen, in my house again

This one hasn't lost her wings yet, but I'm hoping that she's fertilized. If she is then what do I put her in as a nest? I know nothing about Colobopsis, and I want to increase my chances of raising a successful colony.

[TennesseeAnts]

Put her in a small test tube. They are polygynous, unlike Camponotus, so put them together (assuming They are the same species). My 7 queen Colobopsis obliqua colony has one little noodle egg now. When workers arrive, feed them like you would a Myrmentoma Camponotus colony.

[FeedTheAnts]

The Camponotus castaneus queen has a healthy pile of larvae now. Not exact but I counted about 15-17. Some of the larger ones were huge compared to regular nanintic larvae, so she must be feeding them well.

The Camponotus nearcticus queen is lagging behind a little bit. She only has a couple of larvae, and they developing at a snail's pace.

[ANTdrew]

Awesome! The queen my brother rescued from a busy street in downtown DC has eggs, too.

[ANTdrew]

Update! The Dupont Circle queen has ten or so larvae.

[FeedTheAnts]

This is a picture update, but first I should mention that The Valentines have outgrown their Hybrid Nest, so I gave them an ant farm extension. The new "ant farm" nest is pretty simple, it's just a large critter keeper with smaller critter kepper inside and dirt in between. The workers have gotten a kick out of digging in it, but no brood has been moved in.

 

Camponotus discolor queen has six workers now!

 

Formica pallidefulva queen (2 weeks after capture)

 

Camponotus castaneus queen showing off some of her larger larvae

 

[TennesseeAnts]

Yeah I think the discolor are actually Camponotus decipenes.

[FeedTheAnts]

There are only probably two workers left in the Camponotus chromaiodes colony that aren't boosted workers. Earlier today I saw what I think was a non boosted worker being bitten at by the C. pennsylvanicus(boosted) workers. The bullied worker appeared very weak and its legs weren't shaped correctly. this is exactly how they always look right before I find them dead... 

Anyways, at least the boosted workers are healthy. But if they too start to mysteriously die I might just have to give up on this colony. 

[FeedTheAnts]

The Camponotus nearcticus queen has died suddenly

Her brood never really developed so she could have been infertile. Either that or it's just true what people way about this species being very difficult to raise in captivity. 

 

I caught a Formica subsericea queen today. The Formica pallidefulva queen has three or four pupae right now, which was very fast. It looks like she will be getting her first workers less then a month after I caught her. 

The Camponotus castaneus queen still hasn't gotten her first worker, but I'm sure that her pupae will start to eclose any day now.

[TennesseeAnts]

My Camponotus nearcticus queen has lots of larvae and two pupae.

[FeedTheAnts]

My Camponotus nearcticus queen has lots of larvae and two pupae. 

Sure, rub it in

[ANTdrew]

Under what conditions do you find Formica in VA?
Thanks!

[TennesseeAnts]

Formica have already started flying for you? The colonies in my area just now got males.

[FeedTheAnts]

It's been completely random chance for me both times. But whenever I see Formica queens it is always on the most blistering hot days, usually between 1-4 pm.

This is just my experience, but I've also never seen a Formica queen with wings, so search on the ground. I wouldn't expect to find any flying around or climbing on walls. 

[TennesseeAnts]

That's just like when I find mine. But I find most of my queens with wings, but they take them off in the tube. I also usually find them from 1-4 pm. I have had horrible luck finding Formica this year though. I did find a dead Formica incerta queen though...

[FeedTheAnts]

The Formica pallidepulva queen's first worker finally eclosed yesterday! It took a lot longer as a pupae then I thought it would. There are about 7 more pupae that are close behind as well. 

The Camponotus castaneus queen still has no workers, just 6 or seven pupae. These also are taking their time as pupae. The Camponotus discolor colony is down to 4 workers because 3 have died. I never seem to have much luck with Camponotus of any species. I'm just hoping the colony can hold out till hibernation.

 

The Valentines have not moved any brood into their new dirt nest yet, but this is probably because it isn't heated like their AntsCanada nest. I'm trying to plan out how to best hibernate them, and I think having them solely living in the dirt nest would be the easiest way. 

[ANTdrew]

I miss all the cool pictures you used to put in your journal.

[FeedTheAnts]

I miss all the cool pictures you used to put in your journal.

I got you covered

 

The Valentines currently have more brood than they ever have before. Most of it is scattered around their nest, but these photos show the largest clumps of it.

 

 

These are some of the colony's "egg clumps"

 

The Formica pallidefulva queen now has five workers! They accepted their first roach meal yesterday.

 

 

All of the brood in these photos are Camponotus chromaiodes brood(not boosted). Most of the workers are Camponotus pennsylvanicus(boosted). The queen certainly has made a comeback!

Edited by FeedTheAnts, July 24 2019 - 8:15 AM.

[ANTdrew]

The Valentines have to be one of the most impressive colonies on here.

[TennesseeAnts]

Upppppddddddatttttteeee