10 replies to this topic

[Foogoo]

I got a colony of Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) (correct me if I'm wrong drew, they do resemble your pictures of C. vicinus) about a month ago. One worker eclosed and it looks like they have one larva left so I'm starting to think about hibernating them. It just feels wrong putting your beloved pets in the fridge, so I want to make sure this is done correctly.

 

My understanding is they are ok to hibernate with pupa or eggs, but not larva. Keep dark and maintain humidity. Anything else? How long do they need to be hibernated for? 

[dean_k]

Egg and larvae will survive, Pupae will not!

 

 

 

Edit: However, the weird thing is that my Myrmica colony laid eggs and a larva turned into pupa while they were in my fridge, so I don't really know.

Edited by dean_k, November 18 2014 - 12:17 PM.

[Gregory2455]

Pupae will be fine too.

[dspdrew]

What I usually hear is that larvae will be fine, eggs and pupae might not.

[Gregory2455]

Oh...

[Crystals]

Camponotus lay eggs in batches.  Is this larvae from the same batch as the worker?  If so, let it pupate before hibernation (captive colonies are a bit slower due to lack of high heat during the day).  If it was from a later batch, then hibernation is fine.

 

What temperature are you keeping your Camponotus at?  My Camponotus herculeanus like it about 25C.

[Foogoo]

Camponotus lay eggs in batches.  Is this larvae from the same batch as the worker?  If so, let it pupate before hibernation (captive colonies are a bit slower due to lack of high heat during the day).  If it was from a later batch, then hibernation is fine.

 

What temperature are you keeping your Camponotus at?  My Camponotus herculeanus like it about 25C.

 

 Until just recently, I've been keeping them about 30C with a heat lamp. I just took them off it where it's between 15-24C,I don't believe they're the same batch, when I got the colony, it came with the pupa and IIRC egg.

[Crystals]

I suspect that they are different batches then.

Does the larvae appear to still be growing?  If so, let it pupate and eclose.  If not, then it is probably awaiting hibernation.

[Foogoo]

I suspect that they are different batches then.

Does the larvae appear to still be growing?  If so, let it pupate and eclose.  If not, then it is probably awaiting hibernation.

 

This might be too specific but since this is my first colony, what rate is growing vs. not growing? Should it be obvious over days? Weeks? I did notice they do not seem to eat much, I don't know if they're picky eaters or getting ready for slumber.

[Crystals]

Closer to hibernation they will slow down and become more fussy.

 

Camponotus grow pretty slowly at the best of times, so it would be noticeable over weeks.

[Foogoo]

Closer to hibernation they will slow down and become more fussy.

 

Camponotus grow pretty slowly at the best of times, so it would be noticeable over weeks.

 

Can you elaborate on being "fussy"? I'm trying to notice the Camponotus behavior more. I decided to put the heat lamp on them ad noticed two workers huddling at the top close to it. They seemed to be picky eaters (it is a small colony too) but I put fruit flies ad honey water in tonight to see what happens.