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Formica integra Journal

canada ontario formica formica integra parasitic

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#1 Offline rbarreto - Posted August 7 2018 - 7:33 AM

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Since this queen has accepted brood I have decided to start a journal for her. I have been trying my best to find information, journals, or scientific papers on this species but it seems there just isn't much out there. She is very large at 12-13 mm, has very good eyesight, is extremely aggressive (attacks my tweezers if I get anywhere near her), and is a very bright red color with a black mesonotum and gaster. She was ID'ed in this thread.

 

I wasn't sure what kind of brood she would accept or if she would open cocoons by herself so I decided to place two different species of Formica brood in with her. The first species was a red and black species which I assume was in the rufa-group, they had naked pupae which is why I chose them. The second species was an all black fusca group species with cocoons. As soon as I placed both species in the tube with her she went over to investigate. several days later I could see that she had killed off quite a few of the rufa group pupae but had decided to kept one or two, and she kept all the fusca group cocoons. I will be checking on them later today as I believe there may be some callow workers by now.

 

I do not know how successful I will be but this is by far my favorite queen so I hope all goes well. Any and all advice is welcome.

 

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Edited by rbarreto, August 7 2018 - 8:38 AM.

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My journal featuring most of my ants.

My other journal featuring Formica Bradleyi.

Check our my store here!


#2 Offline AntsAreUs - Posted August 7 2018 - 11:38 AM

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This looks like a sleeker version of my Formica rubicunda. I wish you luck with her.


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#3 Offline rbarreto - Posted August 7 2018 - 6:46 PM

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So I checked up on her and boy does she not like me. I've never seen an ant that is so visually responsive. It seems she killed off the remaining rufa group pupae and an has decided to keep the three fusca group pupae. The problem is I don't know if they are either ready to eclose or dead, and if they are alive will she even open them? I feel so in the dark with this queen which I guess adds to the excitement. If these pupae die off I'm going to move her into a mini hearth (since she made a huge mess in her current test tube) and then try to given her some young callow workers.

 

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My journal featuring most of my ants.

My other journal featuring Formica Bradleyi.

Check our my store here!


#4 Offline Saftron - Posted August 7 2018 - 7:13 PM

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Cool







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