35 replies to this topic

[Crystals]

when should i take them out hibernation

After a timespan that matches the amount of time your location has snow on the ground.

For me, that's 7 months, but they were fine with 5 months. They didn't do very well with 3 months hibernation.

[madbiologist]

Scientific Name: Camponotus novaeboracensis

Common Name: Carpenter ant

Distribution: Primarily found in the United States and Canada.

Queen size: 14-18 mm

Worker size: 7-16 mm, with a caste system involving Majors and Minors

Natural Habitat: Found in moist wood, like dead fall, lumber, and old houses. Also known to be nest under rocks in rocky locations.

Circadian Activity: Mostly nocturnal, but will still forage in the day.

Mating Flight: The major flights occur in May and June, with scattered flights during July and August. Ideal conditions are a day after rain, warm and humid. Mid-day to afternoon. But they are also known to fly in periods with no rain.

Queen Founding Method: Fully Claustral

Monogyne or Polygyne: Monogyne (Although some occurrences of polygyne colonies have been recorded)

Average time from egg to worker: Egg to larva - 20-30 days; larva to pupa - 10-15 days; Pupa to worker - 18-25 days. Time may vary with the temperature.

Recommended Temperature: 75-80°F (24-27°C)

Recommended Humidity: Mid humidity level of 30-50%. 20% and lower is known to cause deformities in pupae.

Preferred Foods: Honey water, sugar, apples, pears, oranges, mealworm/super worms, June beetles, isopods, earwigs, crickets, grasshoppers. Most sugary foods and insects are readily accepted.

Hibernation Details: In the wild temperatures below freezing are common, even up to -40C/F. In captivity it is advised to stay above the freezing point as we are unable to easily duplicate the slow cool down into freezing temps to allow the anti-freeze in their blood to work properly. Hibernation is recommended between 39F (4C) - 50F (10C).

Escape Barrier Methods: Fluon and talcum powder method work best. They are also unable to talk upside down on olive oil on a smooth surface.

Difficulty rating: Very easy to keep.

Bite and/or Sting rating: They can bite and the majors or queens are even capable breaking the skin. They are also known to dab droplets of formic acid from their gaster into the wound causing a slight stinging sensation.

Special Care or Interesting Notes: They prefer warmth and plentiful food sources.

Additional Links:
Antwiki - http://www.antwiki.o...novaeboracensis
Antweb - https://www.antweb.o...ntryName=Canada

Description: The red carpenter ant (Camponotus novaeboracensis) has a dark reddish brown colored thorax and petiole, with a black head and black gaster. Newly eclosed ants will have yellow or orange thoraxes that slowly darken into a deep red over a period of days to weeks.


Information submitted by AntsMAN.

You're sure they don't fly at night like other Camponotus?

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[rbarreto]

Scientific Name: Camponotus novaeboracensisCommon Name: Carpenter antDistribution: Primarily found in the United States and Canada.Queen size: 14-18 mmWorker size: 7-16 mm, with a caste system involving Majors and MinorsNatural Habitat: Found in moist wood, like dead fall, lumber, and old houses. Also known to be nest under rocks in rocky locations.Circadian Activity: Mostly nocturnal, but will still forage in the day.Mating Flight: The major flights occur in May and June, with scattered flights during July and August. Ideal conditions are a day after rain, warm and humid. Mid-day to afternoon. But they are also known to fly in periods with no rain.Queen Founding Method: Fully ClaustralMonogyne or Polygyne: Monogyne (Although some occurrences of polygyne colonies have been recorded)Average time from egg to worker: Egg to larva - 20-30 days; larva to pupa - 10-15 days; Pupa to worker - 18-25 days. Time may vary with the temperature.Recommended Temperature: 75-80°F (24-27°C)Recommended Humidity: Mid humidity level of 30-50%. 20% and lower is known to cause deformities in pupae.Preferred Foods: Honey water, sugar, apples, pears, oranges, mealworm/super worms, June beetles, isopods, earwigs, crickets, grasshoppers. Most sugary foods and insects are readily accepted.Hibernation Details: In the wild temperatures below freezing are common, even up to -40C/F. In captivity it is advised to stay above the freezing point as we are unable to easily duplicate the slow cool down into freezing temps to allow the anti-freeze in their blood to work properly. Hibernation is recommended between 39F (4C) - 50F (10C).Escape Barrier Methods: Fluon and talcum powder method work best. They are also unable to talk upside down on olive oil on a smooth surface.Difficulty rating: Very easy to keep.Bite and/or Sting rating: They can bite and the majors or queens are even capable breaking the skin. They are also known to dab droplets of formic acid from their gaster into the wound causing a slight stinging sensation. Special Care or Interesting Notes: They prefer warmth and plentiful food sources.Additional Links:
Antwiki - http://www.antwiki.o...novaeboracensis
Antweb - https://www.antweb.o...ntryName=CanadaDescription: The red carpenter ant (Camponotus novaeboracensis) has a dark reddish brown colored thorax and petiole, with a black head and black gaster. Newly eclosed ants will have yellow or orange thoraxes that slowly darken into a deep red over a period of days to weeks.Information submitted by AntsMAN.

You're sure they don't fly at night like other Camponotus?
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North-Eastern Camponotus fly between 6-11ish

[madbiologist]

Scientific Name: Camponotus novaeboracensisCommon Name: Carpenter antDistribution: Primarily found in the United States and Canada.Queen size: 14-18 mmWorker size: 7-16 mm, with a caste system involving Majors and MinorsNatural Habitat: Found in moist wood, like dead fall, lumber, and old houses. Also known to be nest under rocks in rocky locations.Circadian Activity: Mostly nocturnal, but will still forage in the day.Mating Flight: The major flights occur in May and June, with scattered flights during July and August. Ideal conditions are a day after rain, warm and humid. Mid-day to afternoon. But they are also known to fly in periods with no rain.Queen Founding Method: Fully ClaustralMonogyne or Polygyne: Monogyne (Although some occurrences of polygyne colonies have been recorded)Average time from egg to worker: Egg to larva - 20-30 days; larva to pupa - 10-15 days; Pupa to worker - 18-25 days. Time may vary with the temperature.Recommended Temperature: 75-80°F (24-27°C)Recommended Humidity: Mid humidity level of 30-50%. 20% and lower is known to cause deformities in pupae.Preferred Foods: Honey water, sugar, apples, pears, oranges, mealworm/super worms, June beetles, isopods, earwigs, crickets, grasshoppers. Most sugary foods and insects are readily accepted.Hibernation Details: In the wild temperatures below freezing are common, even up to -40C/F. In captivity it is advised to stay above the freezing point as we are unable to easily duplicate the slow cool down into freezing temps to allow the anti-freeze in their blood to work properly. Hibernation is recommended between 39F (4C) - 50F (10C).Escape Barrier Methods: Fluon and talcum powder method work best. They are also unable to talk upside down on olive oil on a smooth surface.Difficulty rating: Very easy to keep.Bite and/or Sting rating: They can bite and the majors or queens are even capable breaking the skin. They are also known to dab droplets of formic acid from their gaster into the wound causing a slight stinging sensation. Special Care or Interesting Notes: They prefer warmth and plentiful food sources.Additional Links:
Antwiki - http://www.antwiki.o...novaeboracensis
Antweb - https://www.antweb.o...ntryName=CanadaDescription: The red carpenter ant (Camponotus novaeboracensis) has a dark reddish brown colored thorax and petiole, with a black head and black gaster. Newly eclosed ants will have yellow or orange thoraxes that slowly darken into a deep red over a period of days to weeks.Information submitted by AntsMAN.

You're sure they don't fly at night like other Camponotus?
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North-Eastern Camponotus fly between 6-11ish

So they fly at a different time where you are then us?

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[Crystals]

You're sure they don't fly at night like other Camponotus?

 

 

In my location, very sure. I have a video of hundreds running around on my driveway at about 3pm (I think it's in my finding queens video). Every year, the big main flight always happens between 1pm and 6pm, with a handful of individuals outside those times. Usually around the May long weekend.

[madbiologist]

You're sure they don't fly at night like other Camponotus?

In my location, very sure. I have a video of hundreds running around on my driveway at about 3pm (I think it's in my finding queens video). Every year, the big main flight always happens between 1pm and 6pm, with a handful of individuals outside those times. Usually around the May long weekend.

Do you have a link to your YouTube? I'd love to see.

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[Crystals]

Yes, they show up in my finding queens video at rough 1:40 min in.  Last video in this post: https://www.formicul...n-ants/?p=28710

 

My youtube channel is here and is currently all ant tutorial videos, most of which are featured in the List of Handy Links thread - link is in my signature. Although, forewarned, my youtube channel will likely be getting some non-ant tutorials shortly.

https://www.youtube....erer2000/videos

[madbiologist]

Yes, they show up in my finding queens video at rough 1:40 min in. Last video in this post: https://www.formicul...n-ants/?p=28710

My youtube channel is here and is currently all ant tutorial videos, most of which are featured in the List of Handy Links thread - link is in my signature. Although, forewarned, my youtube channel will likely be getting some non-ant tutorials shortly.
https://www.youtube....erer2000/videos

What else will it have?

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[Crystals]

Likely old family recipes from 4+ generations ago. Maybe some other craft stuff. Who knows.

[AntsDakota]

I’ve seen pennsylvanicus flying around noon. Caught a queen, but she flew away...........

[madbiologist]

Here, pennsylvanicus only fly at night.

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[AntsDakota]

I’ve always found deflates during the day.

[madbiologist]

That's because they wander around for nearly a day after the flight looking for wood to nest in.

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[AntsDakota]

True. I still saw a day flight, though.

[Mdrogun]

It seems that with most ants, when they become dense enough in population the "rules" their species follows change. A better example would be Solenopsis invicta in Florida. Any time the weather is warm enough, you can typically find dealate queens. However, they should theoretically have a defined season when they fly, similar to how Solenopsis xyloni in the US operates.

[DerkaDoesGaming]

Just caught my first Camponotus Novae today! and she's going insane with the cotton. Thankful for Formiculture!