5 replies to this topic

[Yomegami]

Out of my two queens at the moment, the queen of the titular species seems to be the more likely of the two to be successful. So I've been trying to look up things about their care.

 

However, it seems information about them is rather scarce. They don't have a care sheet in the Care Sheets forums, their dietary preferences aren't listed here, and as far as I can tell they don't seem to be that commonly kept. I did find a journal about them on another forum, but the person writing it didn't update it past the test tube stage. 

 

For anyone who is familiar with this species, is there anything special I should know about them? Do they have any special needs compared to other Camponotus ants? Are they even a good choice for someone who's just starting out in antkeeping?

[AntsAreUs]

I don't think they have special needs. I'm keeping them and they seem to eat mealworms and sugar water like most other ants.

[MegaMyrmex]

They don't need any special care and they look awesome with their banded gasters, not much else to say really.

Edited by MegaMyrmex, June 19 2018 - 8:11 PM.

[Dotdispenser]

Are they soil nesters or do they make nests in wood? And what is the best habitat to find them in? They are said to inhabit Tennessee, yet I’ve seen absolutely no workers and I live in East Tennessee.

[AntsAreUs]

I find them in rotten branches and small logs in forests.

[xTNxANTMANx]

Are they soil nesters or do they make nests in wood? And what is the best habitat to find them in? They are said to inhabit Tennessee, yet I’ve seen absolutely no workers and I live in East Tennessee.

I'm in West Tennessee almost middle Tennessee and I have found a few of them. My first queen I caught was actually C. subbarbatus! I've had her for almost 2 years now and this being the second year they really exploded in numbers. And like the comment above mine said, they nest in rotten wood and the small branches. I came across two different colonies in the same Branch one time at either end. They are very gorgeous and for a campanadas species, I think they grow at a medium rate. Nothing as fast like Tetramorium or as slow as C. pennsylvanicus for instance. Also there is not really any special requirements in keeping this species. They have been pretty straightforward and really easy to keep. The first year I didn't see that many out foraging as she only gained maybe 15 workers. This year I estimate she has 50+ and still has a lot of eggs and larvae at the moment. If anyone is able to find this species, I highly recommend them.