151 replies to this topic

[Nare]

 

One rock revealed a colony, then I pulled the next rock next to it, which revealed more termites, but also a small black ant colony, that had no idea they were nesting next to a termite colony.

needless to say fights ensured

 

It's funny how close ants and termites can live to each other. Recently, in one log, I found two separate Myrmica colonies, which were pretty much sandwiching a termite colony. Neither had any idea of the other's existence until I tore the log open. I've come to realize that termites are really good at hiding, and keeping a low profile.

[LC3]

Termites' footsteps can be 100x more quieter then ants, so the ants probably aren't aware of the termites although it may be the other way around. With that being said termites and most ants normally form uneasy truces, as in neither will always willingly engage the other even if their presences are known. Anyways those termites are looking pretty content in their new setup so far

[CoolColJ]

Spring 2nd September 2018

 

While it is officially spring, it's still pretty cold here

 

So the termite seemed pretty settled now ,and I think they like the setup.

Not seeing any more dead termites, unless they are deep inside.

 

I dripped some water onto the cotton, and a bit ontop the wood.

It's always a challenge to add just enough to help, but not so much to kill...

 

There a few new tunnels, So there are tunnels around the whole petri dish perimeter.

 

I see workers moving ontop the wood, I guess they are foraging.

They aren't bothered by exposed to light either

[Nare]

Spring 2nd September 2018

 

While it is officially spring, it's still pretty cold here

Wait - don't the seasons change on the 21st of the month? And how cold can it possibly be in Australia? 

[CoolColJ]

 

Spring 2nd September 2018

 

While it is officially spring, it's still pretty cold here

Wait - don't the seasons change on the 21st of the month? And how cold can it possibly be in Australia? 

 

 

 

I guess it's on the first here, or around when daylight saving switches - never really paid too much attention to it until now

 

Some areas have snow, so yeah it can get quite cold.

Even where I live where it doesn't snow, it can hit zero degrees Celsius sometimes, and in winter regularly hits 5-6 degrees at the coldest days.

We had a few 6 degree C days last week

[CoolColJ]

So I noticed something interesting -

 

If the lid of the petri dish is on, or partially ajar, the termites treat it like the whole area is their nest

Just then there were 10 or so workers congregating outside on top of the wood and the far right tunnel entrance

Regardless of being exposed to light or not

 

But as soon as I lift the lid off, they immediately sense it and scatter.

Put the lid back on and within 10 secs they come back out

Edited by CoolColJ, September 2 2018 - 5:28 PM.

[Nare]

So I noticed something interesting -

 

If the lid of the petri dish is on, or partially ajar, the termites treat it like the whole area is their nest

Just then there were 10 or so workers congregating outside on top of the wood and the far right tunnel entrance

Regardless of being exposed to light or not

 

But as soon as I lift the lid off, they immediately sense it and scatter.

Put the lid back on and within 10 secs they come back out

I'd assume maybe it's humidity related? Tunnels and soil should have higher humidity, but with the lid on, humidity may build up in the whole area. Or it could be related to air currents.

[CoolColJ]

 

So I noticed something interesting -

 

If the lid of the petri dish is on, or partially ajar, the termites treat it like the whole area is their nest

Just then there were 10 or so workers congregating outside on top of the wood and the far right tunnel entrance

Regardless of being exposed to light or not

 

But as soon as I lift the lid off, they immediately sense it and scatter.

Put the lid back on and within 10 secs they come back out

I'd assume maybe it's humidity related? Tunnels and soil should have higher humidity, but with the lid on, humidity may build up in the whole area. Or it could be related to air currents.

 

 

 

It's a pretty instant reaction so, whatever it is termites can sense it

[CoolColJ]

Spring 3rd September 2018
 
So I noticed the termites new hangout is on the right hand side of the cotton now, where that tunnel entrance is
You can also see a tunnel heading under the cotton as well.
Dirt dumped ontop of cotton

Pic doesn't show the big crowd that I'm seeing there now, both in the tunnel and ontop the wood



And they are building an overhang with the dirt

Edited by CoolColJ, September 3 2018 - 1:59 AM.

[CoolColJ]

Spring 6th September 2018
 
Seeing a whole bunch of termites sitting on top the wood, and not one bit bothered by the light
Although I usually have some red film on top the setup

Two alate nymphs, a bunch of soldiers and workers. I'll try and take a pic of this the next time I see this.

I suppose this setup allows them to escape the humidity if it gets too wet for them in any one area

Edited by CoolColJ, September 6 2018 - 2:04 AM.

[CoolColJ]

Spring 14th September 2018
 
I last watered on Sunday, and I felt the cotton it was dry!
Looks like I need to water more often..
I added around 25ml from the pipette

I see a bunch of dead bodies on the left and one ontop the wood.
I lifted the wood up and thank goodness there are some live ones deep inside the dirt.
There must be enough humidity there to keep em alive.

added more water!

no wonder it was quiet outside...

Edited by CoolColJ, September 14 2018 - 12:11 AM.

[sirjordanncurtis]

You thinking of getting a small water evaporation dish for them? Or maybe something that lets you not have to water that often, or worry about how much water is left every few days.

[Serafine]

As far as I know many Nasutithermes species eat leaf litter, so maybe try adding some dry/moist leaves or leaf bits.

Edited by Serafine, September 13 2018 - 11:43 PM.

[CoolColJ]

You thinking of getting a small water evaporation dish for them? Or maybe something that lets you not have to water that often, or worry about how much water is left every few days.

 

 

Might do something like that when I use the 90mm class petri dishes I have, with the extra room.

Can't do it in the current 55mm one

[CoolColJ]

As far as I know many Nasutithermes species eat leaf litter, so maybe try adding some dry/moist leaves or leaf bits.

 

 

I'll try add some crushed leaves

[Nare]

As far as I know many Nasutithermes species eat leaf litter, so maybe try adding some dry/moist leaves or leaf bits.

I know some species also eat humus, idk if this species does. I assume it's close enough to leaf litter that leaf litter should be fine. You can probably pick up some humus at the store, but you'd get a great big bag, and it'd take years for your termites to eat through all of it.

[CoolColJ]

Spring 16th September 2018
 
I added some crushed dry leaf pieces to the nest, spread around the whole area 2 days ago.
Hope it helps.

Added water today.

The termites came outside today.
I see 3 alate nymphs, a bunch of soldiers.
And a few workers. Seems like more soldiers than workers above, but there may be more under nearth.
They are sitting on the wet cotton and wet portion of the wood top.

Just chilling I guess...

Edited by CoolColJ, September 16 2018 - 3:31 PM.

[CoolColJ]

Spring 19th September 2018

 

Added more water last night as the cotton felt fairly dry.

 

There are 3 alate nyphms up top, and a couple of workers and a few soldiers.

But I think they are dying out...

 

I think I see mold on the leaf pieces

 

There was a dead worker on the wood earlier, and it appears they have eaten it.

 

Well whatever happens, I can't say i didn't try

Edited by CoolColJ, September 19 2018 - 4:50 AM.

[Nare]

 

I think I see mold on the leaf pieces

I've been thinking about introducing springtails to my setups - I heard somewhere that termites have antibiotic secretions, but springtails would take care of the mold for sure. Although, my setups with mold have had little to no deaths. Best of luck, yours seems a difficult species to keep.

[CoolColJ]

I think I see mold on the leaf pieces

I've been thinking about introducing springtails to my setups - I heard somewhere that termites have antibiotic secretions, but springtails would take care of the mold for sure. Although, my setups with mold have had little to no deaths. Best of luck, yours seems a difficult species to keep.

Yeah, I have been culturing some springtails, but the population isn't high enough yet
I did put some into the old dirt setup, the springtails may still be in thrre as the setup is still active and I have been watering it

Edited by CoolColJ, September 19 2018 - 4:47 PM.