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Javian's Camponotus Chromaiodes - In Your Orbit

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#1 Offline JavianSB - Posted April 22 2017 - 6:38 AM

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Well for a slight introduction my name is Javian and I currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina. I'm currently 15 and a Sophomore in high school. After school I plan on entering the veterinary field and attending Tuskegee University. I recently got introduced through my YouTube stream to AntsCanada which sparked my sudden interest in Ants. Not the best introduction but you guys get the point smile.png .

A few days ago ( April 19th) to be exact, I found my first queen at my bus stop on the way to school. Which struck me by surprise because just a few days ago I had spotted a queen cross my path which surprised me because I knew they were big but she was just MASSIVE! Disappointingly I was unable to catch her and ended up loosing her in the brush when I came back. So of course I prepared for a next possible run in. So when I seen this one roaming on the side walk at 6:36 AM I was quick to put her in an empty water bottle until I got home to a test tube. I'm pretty sure it a Camponotus queen just not exactly sure of its specific species. Anyways I had previous knowledge of queens and what to do when you first get them so I knew how to build the proper test tube set up and all that. 

That day I was reading that I should keep my queen in the dark and to leave her undisturbed but I just couldn't help myself, I check on her everyday. Today I can count 7 eggs. And here's where a question comes, 5 of her eggs look normal and 2 of them look clear, super small and a little bent up, she also keeps them away from the other brood. Is this normal? Could I have stressed her out and caused her to spray formic acid and damage her eggs? PLEASE HELP! I'm probably over reacting but I'm going to leave her alone from now on in the dark, at peace until she has her first few workers to enjoy a real meal.

Anyways, I'm pretty ecstatic to say I have my first queen. Luckily Camponotus genus takes time to populate because I don't have a job so buying formicariums will be a struggle atm. But I have time, a lot of time at that to save up. Are there any companies that you think are really good? I know about Ants Canada anyone else?

I'm thinking about blogging my interesting journey here because pretty sure that I'll need help along the way from a community full of ant lovers of all divisions. I have tons of questions and can't wait to see my colony bloom. I can't wait to meet new people! I'll try to post as often as possible, and post pictures when I can (I need to identify her specific species). Ill probably post one tomorrow hopefully not to scare her. Thanks Everyone!  

As always, In Your Orbit grin.png


Edited by JavianSB, April 24 2017 - 11:59 AM.

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#2 Offline BMM - Posted April 22 2017 - 7:27 AM

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Congrats on catching your first queen. Assuming it's Camponotus sp., you should have plenty of time to find a formicarium for her. Probably a year. Also, resist that urge to check on her every five minutes. I just caught my first queens, so I know it all too well. 



#3 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted April 22 2017 - 8:02 AM

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TarHeelAnts and AntTopia are great sources for formicariums. Just make sure to get a formicarium that will fit the colony's size; One that is too big for the colony can cause problems.

 

Welcome to the amazing world of ant keeping!  ;)



#4 Offline JavianSB - Posted April 22 2017 - 9:11 AM

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Congrats on catching your first queen. Assuming it's Camponotus sp., you should have plenty of time to find a formicarium for her. Probably a year. Also, resist that urge to check on her every five minutes. I just caught my first queens, so I know it all too well. 

Thanks so Much! And yes I'm pretty sure it is! And yea someone else told me every 5 days until her first workers come would be pretty good!


TarHeelAnts and AntTopia are great sources for formicariums. Just make sure to get a formicarium that will fit the colony's size; One that is too big for the colony can cause problems.

 

Welcome to the amazing world of ant keeping!  ;)

Thanks I'll check up on both of these! What sizes do you recommend?



#5 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted April 22 2017 - 9:18 AM

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Congrats on catching your first queen. Assuming it's Camponotus sp., you should have plenty of time to find a formicarium for her. Probably a year. Also, resist that urge to check on her every five minutes. I just caught my first queens, so I know it all too well. 

Thanks so Much! And yes I'm pretty sure it is! And yea someone else told me every 5 days until her first workers come would be pretty good!


TarHeelAnts and AntTopia are great sources for formicariums. Just make sure to get a formicarium that will fit the colony's size; One that is too big for the colony can cause problems.

 

Welcome to the amazing world of ant keeping!  ;)

Thanks I'll check up on both of these! What sizes do you recommend?

 

A test tube is fine for the lone queen, and until the tube is fullish with workers.

I got a few Atom Nests from TarHeelAnts a few months back, and they are a perfect Formicarium for a small colony, and even just the queen alone.

 



#6 Offline Kevin - Posted April 22 2017 - 10:26 AM

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A test tube is fine for the lone queen, and until the tube is fullish with workers.

 

 

I got a few Atom Nests from TarHeelAnts a few months back, and they are a perfect Formicarium for a small colony, and even just the queen alone.

 

 

If you plan on keeping a larger or moist loving species, don't use an atom. It purely relies on a "nestmate", or a tiny tube of water with a metal mesh on the end. Test tubes are better because the large cotton is wet and the ants can actually nest on it.


Hit "Like This" if it helped.


#7 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted April 22 2017 - 10:28 AM

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Camponotus are dryish-loving, so you don't have to worry about that, if it is true.



#8 Offline Alabama Anter - Posted April 22 2017 - 2:37 PM

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Welcome! I would recommend you try making your own formicaria! It really isn't that hard. Also, I think the little eggs should not be a problem. My Camponotus americanus did the same thing, but they came back to the brood pile shortly there after.

YJK


#9 Offline Miles - Posted April 22 2017 - 2:41 PM

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Congrats on finding your first queen, Javian! You likely do have Camponotus, with the most commonly found species in North Carolina being C. chromaiodes.

Some good news is that Tar Heel Ants is based in North Carolina, as you may have guessed. I have raised Camponotus species successfully in their formicaria and I recommend getting yourself a Mini Hearth to start off. It has reliable hydration, great visibility, and will last you a long time.


PhD Student & NSF Graduate Research Fellow | University of Florida Dept. of Entomology & Nematology - Lucky Ant Lab 

 

Founder & Director of The Ant Network. Ant keeper since 2009. Insect ecologist and science communicator. He/Him.


#10 Offline JavianSB - Posted April 24 2017 - 12:42 PM

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So, yesterday morning around 1:00 AM I was able to snag a few pictures of the current test tube, queen, and her brood. I did this not to try to stress her but to try to at least get some help with identifying her specific species - Camponotus Chromaiodes, so I know how to better care for her. WARNING: many pictures from the same angle lol! In some of the pictures the cotton throws her head out of focus but hey. More pictures coming soon! My next colony will most likely be of the Pheidole genus I'm just so intrigued with their workers and majors! I will most likley wait until my current colony has 20 workers because Pheidole colonies grow extremely fast. Anyone know where I could find a queen? Anyone selling? Any other tips on keeping eithe species? Camponotus Chromaiodes and Pheidole?

 

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