57 replies to this topic

[Ferox_Formicae]

My largest colony is growing very quickly! Two of the pupa are going to hatch today, and it's only been just over a week! The eggs they had when I first collected the colony are getting ready to pupate, and the ones the queen laid a few days ago have already gotten to L2. I think that the colony could potentially need a new nest soon, maybe in a few months. Probably by the end of summer.

[TennesseeAnts]

Aphaenogaster colonies don't get huge. Usually max out at around 200-300 workers.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Aphaenogaster colonies don't get huge. Usually max out at around 200-300 workers.

Yeah, I know. Aphaenogaster carolinensis colonies are actually usually even smaller then that, but the nest I currently have them in is about at half capacity, and they have around 35 workers or so.

[TennesseeAnts]

My colony of this species had nearly 300 workers, and some alate larvae and pupae. I need a new colony of these.

[Ferox_Formicae]

My colony of this species had nearly 300 workers, and some alate larvae and pupae. I need a new colony of these.

I think mine should get some alate pupa soon. I've noticed that wild colonies of Aphaenogaster (Aphaenogaster lamellidens specifically) already have alate pupa, so mine could possibly get alates soon, although they may be too young. I do know that my Aphaenogaster lamellidens colony will get alate pupa soon as some of their larva are huge.

[TennesseeAnts]

It amazes me that a young colony of Aphaenogaster, with only 50 workers, can produce alates. Not fair to other ants. I raised a Formica pacifica colony to alate producing size in 2018, when I leave Washington, they get 4 female alates and dozens of alate larvae and pupae.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, May 7 2019 - 6:10 AM.

[Ferox_Formicae]

It amazes me that a young colony of Aphaenogaster, with only 50 workers, can produce alates. Not fair to other ants. I raised a Formica pacifica colony to alate producing size in 2018, when I leave Washington, they get 4 female alates and dozens of alate larvae and pupae.

Yeah. I guess Aphaenogaster have just evolved to produce alates earlier in the colonies lifespan than other ants. It's pretty effective I would say.

[TennesseeAnts]

It is good for captive breeding too. There is this video on YouTube you can watch. All about breeding Aphaenogaster in captivity. I guess this worked because Aphaenogaster mate on the ground. I will have to get 2 colonies to try this. For the vid, just search: how to breed ants. Should come up.

[Ferox_Formicae]

It is good for captive breeding too. There is this video on YouTube you can watch. All about breeding Aphaenogaster in captivity. I guess this worked because Aphaenogaster mate on the ground. I will have to get 2 colonies to try this. For the vid, just search: how to breed ants. Should come up.

Okay. And I do have two colonies, one of which is very large! I still have to extract them, but they have around 100 workers! I'm not entirely certain if they're Aphaenogaster carolinensis though. Hybrid time! 

[TennesseeAnts]

If you do make a hybrid, sell me some!

[Ferox_Formicae]

If you do make a hybrid, sell me some!

Well, I can't exactly ship ants across state borders... 

[TennesseeAnts]

I know...

Permit time!

[Ferox_Formicae]

I know...

Permit time!

Yep! 

[TennesseeAnts]

If you do manage to breed the queens, document the process here. Take some works and female alates from one colony, and drones from another colony and put them into a tank that has substrate at the bottom.

[Ferox_Formicae]

If you do manage to breed the queens, document the process here. Take some works and female alates from one colony, and drones from another colony and put them into a tank that has substrate at the bottom.

Okay. I will do that whenever alates are produced.

[TennesseeAnts]

I will try as well. I will collect 2 colonies with alate brood today. In the name of science!

[Ferox_Formicae]

I will try as well. I will collect 2 colonies with alate brood today. In the name of science!

Yeah!

[TennesseeAnts]

Now I need to repair my aspirator!

[Ferox_Formicae]

Now I need to repair my aspirator!

I do too. I just need a new one in general! 

[TennesseeAnts]

Done! Works better now.