46 replies to this topic

[Californian Anter]

I finally managed to get my hands on a colony. They were found in a log about a week ago, but I picked them up just yesterday.

 

 

Anyway I put them in a test tube first, then placed that in an Omni nest's outworld. I blocked off some chambers, and let them decide where they wanted to live.

 

 

As you guys can see, they chose the Omni nest, and immediately carried a small batch of eggs in. Now, they are all in a small cluster, barely moving. I'm assuming they are about to hibernate, so I will be putting them in the fridge soon. The workers took in a boiled spider I gave them, and in one night all that was left after the queen had her fill were 2 spider drumsticks.

 

I hope this will be my first successful colony I keep.

Edited by Californian Anter, August 19 2017 - 4:53 PM.

[SamKeepsAnts]

where was the log?

[Californian Anter]

where was the log?

I removed them from it and disposed of it. As for location in a forested area.

[Californian Anter]

Edit: I managed to convince my parents to let me put them in the fridge. They are truly in hibernation as of 12/9/16 until probably 3/1/16. Worker count: 7, one was lost.

Edited by Californian Anter, December 9 2016 - 6:00 PM.

[Diesel]

Nice. These will be a great colony and should u well. Great find. Good luck.

[Californian Anter]

Quick Update (12/17): When I checked the queen, she had fallen over onto her back. All the workers are upright. I'm not sure if she is fine. Her legs aren't curled inwards though.

[MichiganAnts]

she's fine, they curl up during hibernation

[Crystals]

Are they still in hibernation? Temperature? Is the nest humid enough?

A picture would also help.

[Californian Anter]

 

This is the colony. As you can see, the queen is on her back. The workers are all clustered around her. Some bad news is I can confirm that the eggs were eaten.

Currently, nest humidity is high (maybe too high), temperature is about 40-43 degrees.

[MichiganAnts]

i still see brood in there and by the looks of the queen they are hibernating

[Californian Anter]

I think that the colony may have lost another worker. The workers could possibly be dying of starvation, since when I put them in their gasters weren't distended. Should I take them out early, or what should I do?

[Shareallicu]

I'm new to keeping queens and my queen is eating her eggs too    I have no idea what to do.  I have left her alone for a week now.  I want to check on her, but as a formica she is jumpy and is stressed when I check on her.  

 

It's at times like these I wish to have decades of experience so I would know what to do... but i have none, so i am stressed and I worry that she will die

[Crystals]

 

This is the colony. As you can see, the queen is on her back. The workers are all clustered around her. Some bad news is I can confirm that the eggs were eaten.

Currently, nest humidity is high (maybe too high), temperature is about 40-43 degrees.

 

At that temperature Camponotus usually curl up, especially the larger ones individuals. If they have been in hibernation for three months, you can pull them out. If not, open up the chamber beside them and put a small drop of sugar water for them to find. If possible, raise the temperature to 50F (10C). Eggs are usually eaten in hibernation, Camponotus normally overwinter larvae.

 

 

 

I'm new to keeping queens and my queen is eating her eggs too    I have no idea what to do.  I have left her alone for a week now.  I want to check on her, but as a formica she is jumpy and is stressed when I check on her.  

 

It's at times like these I wish to have decades of experience so I would know what to do... but i have none, so i am stressed and I worry that she will die

Shareallicu, please start a new thread and we can help you there since this is Californian Anter's Camponotus journal.

[Californian Anter]

 

 

This is the colony. As you can see, the queen is on her back. The workers are all clustered around her. Some bad news is I can confirm that the eggs were eaten.

Currently, nest humidity is high (maybe too high), temperature is about 40-43 degrees.

 

At that temperature Camponotus usually curl up, especially the larger ones individuals. If they have been in hibernation for three months, you can pull them out. If not, open up the chamber beside them and put a small drop of sugar water for them to find. If possible, raise the temperature to 50F (10C). Eggs are usually eaten in hibernation, Camponotus normally overwinter larvae.

 

 

They have probably been hibernating for about 2.5 to 3 months. If I take them out early, what are some negative effects on the colony? Also, they are in the old fridge outside that can't change temperature.

[Crystals]

For first year Camponotus, three months is usually sufficient. I am not sure about California species, but the Alberta ones here are just a bit less productive if pulled out earlier.

Where was your queen caught? My local ones have no problems freezing solid in the wild so they handle low hibernation temperatures just fine. I am not sure how this colony will do with lower temperatures, if she was caught in a place that freezes for a couple of months every winter, she should be fine.

If the workers are moving a bit, you can always just add a drop of sugar water and leave them in hibernation. My Camponotus tend to forage a bit while in hibernation.

[Californian Anter]

She was caught in a fallen log in a forested area. I did leave a bottle cap full of honey in the outworld; however they don't seem inclined to leave the nest. Sometimes in my area the temperature does drop below freezing. 

 

I was just wondering, how long do your Camponotus hibernate for in their first year? When do they start?

[MichiganAnts]

She was caught in a fallen log in a forested area. I did leave a bottle cap full of honey in the outworld; however they don't seem inclined to leave the nest. Sometimes in my area the temperature does drop below freezing. 

 

I was just wondering, how long do your Camponotus hibernate for in their first year? When do they start?

Camponotus hibernate for on average 3 months in captivity. but in the wild it changes each year based on the weather. also normally first year queens you should hibernate in a test tube as its a more stable. if they've been in almost 3 months you could wake them up. or just put a drop of sugar water or honey near them so they can eat if they want. if you have them hibernating you won't be able to tell if any of them have died unless you wake them. Camponotus tend to look dead while hibernating.

[Californian Anter]

Update 1/4/17: I took the colony out for a day since I thought they might want to forage. I thought a worker was dead, but she ended up waking up. However, none left the nest; they just gathered into a big cluster again in the deepest chamber, so I just put them back in today. I will probably end their hibernation early February.

[MichiganAnts]

generally you don't wanna mess with them during hibernation. if you want you can leave alittle sugar water near them when you water the nest

[Californian Anter]

Probably will be taking them out on 2/1/17.