26 replies to this topic

[B_rad0806]

6-9-2018: Before you go any further stop! I know that this is a non native species and they can be bad to the environment. I am only keeping them because I want to experiment them to figure out how fast the brude takes to hatch, how many eggs the queen lays, and how big they can get. About a week ago a caught it and saw a bunch more. I only got 1 because I knew they get big. But over the week it laid about 10-30 eggs. So far it is doing good. Over the next few weeks I expect more eggs.

Edited by B_rad0806, April 1 2019 - 8:55 AM.

[T.C.]

If they are in your area, (aside from california) you can legally keep them and shouldn't have to put up with any BS from other members here.

 

Edit: But your probably in Cali, huh?

Edited by T.C., June 9 2018 - 1:57 PM.

[nurbs]

A few members here love to sensationalize and fear monger non native ants such as invicta, even
when they themselves have no experience with them. Euthanize them if you decide not to care for them anymore. You’re fine, what TC said.

[BobJ]

They're really cute in the puppy stage.  But, BOY! they can be handful after 5 months.   Every solenopsis invicta queen you collect is one less possible giant anthill in someone's yard.

[B_rad0806]

Thanks guys!!!

[B_rad0806]

UPDATE: Just recently I looked in the test tube and I saw that the egg pile was bigger and the eggs got bigger. I put a small drop of sugar water in it and the queen did not drink that much of it. I know that it is in the founding stage and they do not eat a lot but I put it in there just so it can have a little bit of energy back. The eggs should hatch in a couple of weeks.

[Kevin]

Pictures, or it didn't happen 

 

But seriously, you gotta have some pics in the journal

[B_rad0806]

Ok

[B_rad0806]

http://imgur.com/yxJbOWz

[Gabraime]

I live in California San Diego, do we have invicta here? I like solenopsis ants

[Straywolf94]

We do have pockets of S. invicta but I don't think it is legal to keep them in California.

[Zeiss]

I live in California San Diego, do we have invicta here? I like solenopsis ants

It's been discussed before and I'll say it again, probably not the best idea to keep a highly invasive ant while being new to the hobby.  They can grow quickly and get out of control.  You will need to do intensive research on proper housing as well as check your local laws, where in most of Southern California, it is illegal to keep these f*ckers.  You also need to be willing to kill, never release invasive species.  I kill on spot.

[Solenoqueen]

I live in California San Diego, do we have invicta here? I like solenopsis ants

It's been discussed before and I'll say it again, probably not the best idea to keep a highly invasive ant while being new to the hobby.  They can grow quickly and get out of control.  You will need to do intensive research on proper housing as well as check your local laws, where in most of Southern California, it is illegal to keep these f*ckers.  You also need to be willing to kill, never release invasive species.  I kill on spot.

No mercy, huh? I guess he will have to see for himself

[B_rad0806]

Wow lol. I come to check and I’ll see this. I only plan to keep them till a curtain size. Plus the cops in my neighborhood don’t know a thing about ants. Once I’m done with them I’ll figure out myself.

[YsTheAnt]

That might actually be S. xyloni, it looks quite bright for RIFA.

[dermy]

Wow lol. I come to check and I’ll see this. I only plan to keep them till a curtain size. Plus the cops in my neighborhood don’t know a thing about ants. Once I’m done with them I’ll figure out myself.

Just because cops don't know/care doesn't mean it's right to keep something that's illegal [if it is for you]

[B_rad0806]

Tbh dermy I don’t even know the ant law in my area

[Serafine]

Solenopsis invicta can lay up to around 11.000 eggs per week and grow to over hundred thousand workers. There's quite a few studies about how long they take to breed as well as due to their pest status and the economical damage they cause they are of quite some interest in the US. If you can't find proper stuff via Google try using Google scholar.

[YsTheAnt]

Ok I seriously think this isn't RIFA, this looks identical to the S. xyloni I saw a while back.

[BobJ]

I agree with YsTheAnt, the queen in the one photo you submitted is not dark enough to be invicta.  RIFA queens have dark red heads and thoraxes as well as their gasters.

 

Supposedly South Carolina has solenopsis xyloni and solenopsis geminata but I've never seen any, only solenopsis invicta.   Solenopsis invicta take over urbanized areas relatively quick.   If you've never seen a solenopsis invicta queen consider yourself lucky.  Where I live they really can't be considered invasive any more... they're here and here to stay.