11 replies to this topic

[specimen24-6]

Well every one it finally rained here in Selma and that means that we might get out of the drout, it also means that the termite alates are flying. While walking home, I found a male and a female termite alate far apart from each other so I put both of them in the same vial and they started following each other and that's a good thing because the males always fallow the females. Anyways when I got home I put them in the a vile with soil and wood and they both burrowed in the soil. I think they are Reticulitermes sp. does any one have any experience with termites that I can learn from?

[dspdrew]

I only know what I've read, and that's not too much considering how hard it is to find any good information on termites. I have a little desert subterranean termite colony with quite a few little nanitic workers already.

[LAnt]

Don't the males stay with the queen for a little bit?

[dspdrew]

As far as I know, they stay and mate with the queen for life.

[specimen24-6]

I haven't seen my alates they for sence yesterday I think thay made there royal cell out of sight so they might just start there colony faster. I for got to mention I have drywood termites but the king died of unknown couses, I also cought two workers with them and sence drywood termites are primitive termites, I suspect that they will be secondary reproductives. Which leads to another question how can I make a set up for drywood termites in which I can observe them. I know the termites are alive because they are kicking fecies out of a kick hole but what I want to know is what are they doing in there? Are they laying eggs or have both worker secondary reproductive? The suspence is killing me! Any ideas are welcome and remember I'm asking for drywood termites I got the subterranean termites covered

[dspdrew]

Haha, I have some drywood termites too, and I am in the exact same situation as you. I have no idea what's going on in there.

[Crystals]

No experience with termites, but what about using a thin piece of wood and putting it between two panes of glass?  With something on the sides and bottoms of course.  Put dark paper over the glass and they will probably build along the glass.  http://image.shutter...cut-2712047.jpg

 

Too bad you couldn't stick them in an ant formicarium, or one of those ant nests.

[dspdrew]

Yeah, I was thinking about building something like that, that's definitely how I plan to make a Camponotus formicarium one of these days.

[specimen24-6]

I now see my subterranean termites de-alates and they are both alive but they are slow diggers, ants are much faster diggers. My termites are digging to the bottom. I can't wait to get my first workers. How long did it take when you got your fist workers, dspdrew.

[dspdrew]

Not too sure, all I know is I noticed a couple nymphs after about two months.

[LAnt]

No experience with termites, but what about using a thin piece of wood and putting it between two panes of glass?  With something on the sides and bottoms of course.  Put dark paper over the glass and they will probably build along the glass.  http://image.shutter...cut-2712047.jpg

 

guess not

[specimen24-6]

It has been a week now sence I've gotten my sub. termites dealates. I don't see any eggs yet, I don't even know how big they are. How long does it take for eggs to appear? Maybe I'm being a bit inpacient. My dealates are doing well they look well fed because there small bits of wood in the soil.