9 replies to this topic

[RapaNui]

Hi!

Anyone has valuable information about development periods for Pogonomyrmex Rugosus or any other Pogonomyrmex, just for reference.

 

Thank you,

regards

[Vendayn]

My Pogonomyrmex rugosus colony seems to take about a month from egg to worker. I keep them in a heated environment from a heat lamp (not sure exact temperature, but it must be in the high 80s), which heat is a big part in how fast Pogonomyrmex grow. They are on a shelf surrounded by styrofoam, so the heat gets mostly trapped in. 

 

They are also in a Tarheel (Pinnacle) formicarium, and can choose to go to where the heat is or in a cooler part away from the heat lamp. 

 

So about a month I'd say for Pogonomyrmex rugosus, if you give them the right amount of heat. Same with Pogonomyrmex californicus and Pogonomyrmex maricopa. Pogonomyrmex in general don't tend to take long to grow, given the right environment and temperature.

Edited by Vendayn, October 23 2016 - 10:40 AM.

[RapaNui]

Thank you very much Vendayn, room temperature is 86F. So I think I am ok. I want to make sure she has at least three or four workers before winter kicks in. 

She has layed a bunch of eggs already, I am extremely excited. Can wait to see them eclode!

wish me luck!

Cheers!

[NightsWebs]

Rugosus don't hibernate so you have no worries.  I have several queens right now developing as well I keep my heat lamp on a black shoe box so its not directly on the setups.  My last group of 5 queens all developed workers and have since been sold off.  If you have any other questions about P. rugosus let me know.

[sgheaton]

Wait what?! Rugosus don't hibernate!? I'm fairly certain that is the "library colony" I speak of. At least that was the drone raining ant balls of death area. I was calling them Rugs and not Occs. 

Do Pogonomyrmex occidentalis hibernate?

[NightsWebs]

Most of the desert species don't hibernate.  Rugosus are very active year round and make huge nests! So, the ants I currently have or had none of them hibernate.

[RapaNui]

Wow!! Great news then!!

This just made my day! 

 

Thanks

[Vendayn]

Yeah, a lot of Pogonomyrmex don't hibernate. They are all pretty much optional.

 

The coastal Pogonomyrmex californicus tend to hibernate (at least down in San Diego they did). But, the local ones here in Orange County are active year round. Then I never see any of the Pogonomyrmex hibernating, when they are way out in the desert by Palm Springs.

 

In fact, one day in early Spring it was easily 30 degree with wind chill (maybe even colder, it was incredibly chilly) out by Palm Springs. The sun came out for a very brief 5 minutes and I found a single Pogonomyrmex californicus queen roaming around on the road. She became my best Pogonomyrmex californicus colony I've ever had.

 

Some people hibernate Pogonomyrmex, but out in the desert they are mostly just active 24/7. Even when its very cold, I see colonies active (but slow) out in Palm Springs.

[dspdrew]

Desert ants don't need to be hibernated. Hibernation for any ants is not really required unless they come from a place where there is snow on the ground for a good portion of the winter.

[NightsWebs]

Yeah, I don't think they actually hibernate its like when heavy winds are blowing or a rain storm they just hang out in the nest instead of being blown away or floating away.