18 replies to this topic

[Air]

Hi everyone, Ice here! I recently got a hold of one of these beautiful queens, and lets just say I'm so excited for this colony! She currently has 12 orange eggs, and one white egg from the old queen I got, and sadly passed away. As I'm typing this, she's moving into a test tube with water, and she's now moving all her eggs! I have high hopes for this colony, and hope it becomes super successful. I will add pictures soon. 

[spytim]

Good luck with this queen ice! ^_^

[Air]

Agh!! She already has 1 larvae. Time to let her be for a month!

[Air]

Well, I couldn't help it! I looked at her, and gave her a little too much syrup, but she drank it all! She has about 15 eggs now, and a HUGE gaster. I found the larvae in the corner in the test tube, so I assume it's dead.

[iXvXi]

Well, I couldn't help it! I looked at her, and gave her a little too much syrup, but she drank it all! She has about 15 eggs now, and a HUGE gaster. I found the larvae in the corner in the test tube, so I assume it's dead.

I wouldn't assume it's dead as different stages of brood require different temperatures and humidity. She most likely moved it into its sweet spot!

[Air]

I forgot to mention, she has 2 larvae, 1 on top of the eggs and 1 in the corner.

[Kingjay]

Ice I hope that you get a successful and beatiful colony out of this queen.

[Air]

Thank you guys so much for your kind words! She has about 3 small larvae, and about 15 eggs. Soon I'll be getting a couple new queens by Lord Of Ants, which will be Camponotus Floridanus, Odotomacus sp., and Pheidole Sp..?

[Kingjay]

Nice not to be rude or anything but could you and pictures I would like to see the queen.

[Air]

Yes, I'll get a couple. ATM I'm on vacation, but once I get home I'll take sone

[Air]

I got home yesterday, and found the queen dead. 

 

 

Nah, I'm kidding. 

 

I'll take some pictures later, but the queen currently has 5 cocoons, 4 big larvae, 2 small larvae, and a TON of eggs.

 

Wonder how long it takes the cocoons to hatch, hope Crystal can supply me with some information about these ants.

[Crystals]

It was kind of a fluke that I even opened up this thread...  If you ever have questions, feel free to PM me, despite what certain people seem to believe I actually don't read every post made on this forum. 

They are pretty easy to raise and will accept most sweets and insects.  Mine prefer sugar water or hummingbird nectar to syrup or sugar.  Feel free to check out my journal on my colony. 

The only difference to keep in mind is that your queen originated in Florida, whereas mine came from the chilly Rocky Mountains of BC so be cautious when it comes time for hibernation.  In the wild, yours are used to more drought like conditions while mine turn into popsicles. 

[Air]

Actually, I caught this queen in Ohio, while hiking. I already read your journal.. twice. I can't wait for this colony.

[MrmrGatlin]

Nice start to a colony! Hopefully this one works out for you, I know how much you've been wanting a camponotus colony  I also have acquired an Odontomachus queen btw, one cocoon and a couple larvae so far.

[Air]

Haha, congrats! I've also gotten and Odontomachus queen, 2 Camponotus Floridanus, pheidole morrisii and another one I don't know what it is yet.

[Air]

I'm trying to update this every time something new happens, but I don't have any macro lens. The queen currently has about 9 pupae, 4 large larvae, and about 10-15 eggs.

[Air]

nanitics!  She has 4 little babies, tending to her every need. They have chewed on some Wingless fruit flies, and all have full gasters! there's also about 20 new eggs.. can't wait!

[MrmrGatlin]

"SERRRRRVE ME, PEASANTS!!" Haha. The macro I use is just this little universal cell phone macro lens from the check-out display of Walmart. I don't know if they will be in your area, but you can also find them cheap on the internet. I didn't feel like waiting for shipping lol

[Air]

Haha, she's a crazy queen. She has about 8 nanitics, and a good size pile of brood