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NickAnter's Camponotus vicinus Journal

Started By NickAnter , Aug 15 2019 4:04 PM

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21 replies to this topic

#1 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 15 2019 - 4:04 PM

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I found this queen under a stone, a few days ago in the morning. As I was fumbling for a tube she ran down her hole. My dad could see it without his glasses! Quite the accomplishment. Naturally, I was very frustrated that she escaped.
I then went back later, and decided to flip the stone and see if she was there. She was! I put my hand in front of her to stop her from escaping. She immediately made a beline for my sleeve. I shoved her off with a test tube, and she hit the ground running. I put the open tube in front of her, and she walked right in. In my excitement, I forgot that that tube had a crack in the opening, so when I shoved the stopper in, I ruined the tube. Luckily, she was too large to fit through the crack, and is now happy in a proper test tube setup.
  • TennesseeAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#2 Offline ariaant - Posted August 15 2019 - 6:54 PM

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Nice catch.  Where and what time did you find the queen?  I have turned over a lot of rocks, logs, etc and havent found a queen yet.


#3 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 16 2019 - 6:25 AM

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Flipping rocks in Southern California yields rather little. I am currently camping in the Eastern Sierras, and have been since Saturday. I found her the first time around 8:00 am, and the second time, around 3:00 pm. Of course, it can still be successful, but generally only in areas where underneath the rock, it is damp.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#4 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 17 2019 - 4:02 PM

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She laid an egg!!!! I am curious if she will get a worker before hibernation. None of the other ants I have caught her have so far.
  • TennesseeAnts likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#5 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 18 2019 - 6:03 AM

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Here is a pic, which shows her new addition:

Edited by NickAnter, August 18 2019 - 6:05 AM.

  • rbarreto likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#6 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 18 2019 - 8:32 AM

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Oh, and I would like to know if she is definetly vicinus. In a few days, I will post better, and more pictures from different angles.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#7 Offline YsTheAnt - Posted August 18 2019 - 12:51 PM

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Camponotus vicinus is the only species (to my knowledge) with that coloration in the Sierras. There are some populations of Camponotus semitestaceus in some areas, but in my experience those tend to be smaller and slightly shinier.

Edited by YsTheAnt, August 18 2019 - 12:51 PM.

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#8 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 19 2019 - 7:44 AM

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Thank you for the ID. I will gt a measurement when I can find my ruler.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#9 Offline AntsDakota - Posted August 19 2019 - 10:59 AM

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C. vicinus is polygynous, so if you ever caught another queen or two, it would be interesting to witness a Camponotus colony with multiple queens.


"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#10 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 19 2019 - 11:01 AM

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I am back in HB now, so no more C. vicinus for the rest of the year. And not all are polygynous.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#11 Offline Kaelwizard - Posted August 20 2019 - 9:53 AM

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C. vicinus is polygynous, so if you ever caught another queen or two, it would be interesting to witness a Camponotus colony with multiple queens.

AntsCanada has polygynous colonies too, but it would still be interesting nonetheless.


#12 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 20 2019 - 10:03 AM

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I am not going to introduce another queen. I probably won't find another one till next year.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#13 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 21 2019 - 5:02 PM

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Egg number three has been laid.  Maybe, an egg every other day keeps the doctor away? :lol:  Also, if this queens eggs develop into pupae, after mid October, should I hibernate her anyway, or wait for workers?  Or, as soon as she gets workers, should I begin hibernation?  Also, is another possibility that she will overwinter them as larvae? Basically, I need hibernation advice from one of you people who live up North. 


Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#14 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 26 2019 - 8:32 AM

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She ate her eggs, probably realizing that hibernation was coming.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#15 Offline NickAnter - Posted September 9 2019 - 3:03 PM

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She laid three more eggs. I have been feeding her honey, as she looked a little thin.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#16 Offline NickAnter - Posted September 22 2019 - 1:15 PM

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In hibernation.  Will take her out mid January.  She is at about 47-48 degrees, same as my Lasius.


Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#17 Offline NickAnter - Posted January 10 2020 - 4:37 PM

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I have taken her out, to see if she does anything.  If not, I will put her back into hibernation  I have not put her on the heating cable, but just on my desk, so the temp change will not be so drastic.


Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#18 Offline ponerinecat - Posted January 10 2020 - 6:46 PM

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C. vicinus is polygynous, so if you ever caught another queen or two, it would be interesting to witness a Camponotus colony with multiple queens.

AntsCanada has polygynous colonies too, but it would still be interesting nonetheless.

 

A surprising amount of Asian Camponotus is polygyne.


#19 Offline NickAnter - Posted January 22 2020 - 8:09 PM

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9 more days till I take her out of hibernation.  I think that will definitely be enough, as it is over 4 months.  I can't wait!  I am definitely going to feed her up a bit, as she is very thin.  Might even give her some proteins, in order to help with feeding the larvae.


Edited by NickAnter, January 22 2020 - 8:09 PM.

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Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#20 Offline NickAnter - Posted January 31 2020 - 7:22 PM

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Dead. Here are some pictures. Seems she was killed by the same mold that killed my Formica;




Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

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