Jump to content

  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo
* * * * * 1 votes

OhNoNotAgain Termitat (plus some local drywoods)


  • Please log in to reply
71 replies to this topic

#21 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted March 10 2020 - 9:52 PM

OhNoNotAgain

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,064 posts
  • LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

A couple photos from the past few days. The white plug for the termites' "front door" - with termite-sized holes so they can go check the perimeter.

 

And also their not very fancy set up in the classroom - same place I left the Uncle Milton. I'm told a lot of kids were really excited to go look at them, and the teacher in that classroom has been letting them go look in small groups.

 

 

Attached Images

  • IMG_9394.jpg
  • IMG_9435.jpg

  • ANTdrew, Antennal_Scrobe, justanotheramy and 1 other like this

Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola

Liometopum occidentale;  Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

 

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.


#22 Offline justanotheramy - Posted March 11 2020 - 4:41 AM

justanotheramy

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 173 posts
  • LocationSouth Australia

<adds to list of things I want>


  • OhNoNotAgain, TheMicroPlanet and Moonant01 like this

#23 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 11 2020 - 1:43 PM

AntsDakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,994 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

<adds to list of things I want>

For most people, that list’s pretty big.
  • Skwiggledork, TennesseeAnts, justanotheramy and 1 other like this

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version


#24 Offline justanotheramy - Posted March 11 2020 - 4:21 PM

justanotheramy

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 173 posts
  • LocationSouth Australia

True dat.
In this case I am saved purely by the fact that nothing similar seems to be available in Australia…

Which is a shame, because I think in some ways termites are a better classroom 'pet' than ants — social insect, so can be used to talk about many of the same themes of cooperation etc; but male and female workers, so there's some gender stuff to work with.


  • Moonant01 likes this

#25 Offline ANTdrew - Posted March 11 2020 - 4:22 PM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,376 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
I want a Termitat, but my wife would woop my a**.
  • VenomousBeast, MinigunL5 and Moonant01 like this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#26 Offline justanotheramy - Posted March 11 2020 - 4:23 PM

justanotheramy

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 173 posts
  • LocationSouth Australia

But it's so small…



#27 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted March 13 2020 - 10:19 PM

OhNoNotAgain

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,064 posts
  • LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

2020.3.13

Got the Termitat back. Just before everything is shut down to go to "tele-learning" (private school but it's shutting down, and I believe local public schools are as well). I had a feeling that would happen... so I'm glad the kids got to see the termites beforehand. One of the teachers said he was able to use it just a bit ... the week was apparently really hectic for the teachers (no surprise).

 

The termites look smaller than I remember.  :lol:  The two soldiers are still alive and uneaten!


Edited by OhNoNotAgain, March 13 2020 - 10:20 PM.

  • ANTdrew, DDD101DDD, justanotheramy and 1 other like this

Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola

Liometopum occidentale;  Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

 

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.


#28 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted March 18 2020 - 3:33 PM

OhNoNotAgain

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,064 posts
  • LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

2020.3.18

Watered the Termitat for the first time since I took it to (and from) the school. Hurray for THA syringes. I forgot how much like one of those metal ball in a plastic maze games it is to try to get the water to the right places. Except trying to roll some water around on a bumpy wood surface is harder than those ball mazes! I wound up soaking large sections of wood that termites can't reach (sigh), esp. since I set it upright too soon and it just leaks down the front.

Anyway I counted roughly 24-25 termites (very rough count) and the two soldiers are still alive!


Edited by OhNoNotAgain, March 18 2020 - 3:35 PM.

  • ANTdrew and Moonant01 like this

Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola

Liometopum occidentale;  Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

 

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.


#29 Offline TheMicroPlanet - Posted March 18 2020 - 4:00 PM

TheMicroPlanet

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 764 posts
  • LocationNew York, United States

Termite keeping sounds fun. Of course, keeping any eusocial insect is of interest to me.


  • Antennal_Scrobe, OhNoNotAgain, justanotheramy and 1 other like this

#30 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted May 25 2020 - 9:13 PM

OhNoNotAgain

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,064 posts
  • LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

2020.5.25 Quick update.

I've watered the Termitat a couple times. Previously I watered it a week or two ago. Today when I watered, I believe I found what might be the inedible jaws of one of the soldiers (but it's hard to see). They might have finally dispatched and eaten one of the soldiers. Also, unfortunately they seem to be eating away from the visible parts of Termitat ... like in the middle of the wood where I can't see them.


Edited by OhNoNotAgain, May 25 2020 - 10:50 PM.

  • TennesseeAnts, Nare, ANTdrew and 2 others like this

Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola

Liometopum occidentale;  Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

 

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.


#31 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted June 24 2020 - 3:23 PM

OhNoNotAgain

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,064 posts
  • LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

2020.6.24

Just another quick update, but soon after I posted the above, the second soldier disappeared. So I guess the soldiers are gone. I wonder if it's because I didn't water them enough?

It's hard to see if it's damp wood or not as I suspect there's some permanent discoloration in the wood, even though I use only distilled water.

I've watered them a few times and will water them again right now. Last time the nymphs acted thirsty, so I bet I'm underwatering.

 

Now they are DEFINITELY eating away from the windows, so it's getting hard to see them and what they are up to.


Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola

Liometopum occidentale;  Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

 

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.


#32 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted October 19 2020 - 2:38 PM

OhNoNotAgain

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,064 posts
  • LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

2020.10.19

 

I am still occasionally watering the Termitat, watching for any hopeful signs of eggs or young nymphs. Of which I see none. HOWEVER. 

 

What is this?? It has stubby ... wings?? It reminds me of a dubia adult female with the stubs. What is it? Anyone?? And what are the big ones that are kinda brown? Just bigger nymphs?

 

I grabbed some photos. It helped the termites came out when I watered them.

Far left side brownish one has stubby wings:

 

IMG_2798.jpg

 

In the middle of the photo:

IMG_2811.jpg

 

Far left:

IMG_2815.jpg


Edited by OhNoNotAgain, October 19 2020 - 2:40 PM.

Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola

Liometopum occidentale;  Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

 

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.


#33 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted October 19 2020 - 3:20 PM

OhNoNotAgain

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,064 posts
  • LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

[...] there are the true nymphs which do not perform work unlike the pseudergates. They can be identified by tiny little wing buds, and they can mate in the nest to become secondary / neotonic reproductives, which you will likely have. Pseudergates need to molt to become nymphs before they can become anything else.

 

So to sum it up:

1. Imagoes / adults / swarmers / primary reproductives

2. Neotonics / secondary reproductives

3. Nymphs

4. Pseudergates

5. Soldiers / presoldiers

6. Larvae

 

Hope that helps. I'd also point you towards this thread, as there are some diagrams and things that I've posted over there. They may be of some help in learning more about termites.

 

 

Okay Nare, now that I have one with wing buds (?) (or are they actual mini wings?) I'm confused by what you wrote. Could you clarify?

 

I'm now told the one with mini wings is a secondary reproductive? So what are the brown ones? Pseudergates? Sorry so confused.


Edited by OhNoNotAgain, October 19 2020 - 3:22 PM.

Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola

Liometopum occidentale;  Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

 

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.


#34 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted October 20 2020 - 7:43 AM

OhNoNotAgain

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,064 posts
  • LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

There was a lot of interesting discussion on discord about these termites. Plus I messaged Termitat. This is the Termitat answer:

 

"That is a pre-alate. “Ala” = wings in Greek.

It usually means they are doing well as a colony. They will probably get full size wings at some furture date and be around [f]or a while until they become supplementary reproductives or get eaten for lunch. Nothing wasted. "
 
On discord I was told the brown ones without wings are neotonic secondary reproductives. I think I need to keep their wood moister and see if they start reproducing.

  • Ants_Dakota likes this

Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola

Liometopum occidentale;  Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

 

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.


#35 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted October 20 2020 - 8:34 AM

Ants_Dakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,059 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

the nest looks so cool! i wish i could keep termites! the next best thing is camponotus, i guess.


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)


#36 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted October 20 2020 - 11:40 AM

OhNoNotAgain

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,064 posts
  • LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

the nest looks so cool! i wish i could keep termites! the next best thing is camponotus, i guess.

 

You could probably get a Termitat if you wanted (really low maintenance!). Or catch some during their flights ... that's what I wanted to do this year, but the drywoods I caught died off and one kicked out her friend from the wood I gave her. So no drywoods for me this year I guess!

As for ants, I guess the Camponotus. Out here I have a mostly dead tree infested with Liometopum, plus a Lio colony in a mini-hearth. I respect the Lios for surviving in a sea of Argentines.


Edited by OhNoNotAgain, October 20 2020 - 11:42 AM.

Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola

Liometopum occidentale;  Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

 

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.


#37 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted November 12 2020 - 7:37 PM

OhNoNotAgain

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,064 posts
  • LocationCalifornia Argentine Ant Territory

I finally got some videos on YouTube. One of them is the alarm signal stridulation from way early on.

 


Edited by OhNoNotAgain, November 12 2020 - 8:15 PM.

Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola

Liometopum occidentale;  Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

 

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.


#38 Offline MinigunL5 - Posted November 12 2020 - 7:55 PM

MinigunL5

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 550 posts
  • Location(Near) Worcester, MA

How do Termitats work?



#39 Offline Spazmops - Posted November 12 2020 - 7:57 PM

Spazmops

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 558 posts
  • LocationDenver, Colorado

I think Zootermopsis might be my all time favorite genus name, although the species Boops boops gives it a run for its money.


  • Swirlysnowflake and Moonant01 like this

Co-owner and founder of Mountain Myrmeculture and The Menagerie Discord Server

Ants I have:

1 Formica fusca group- 0 workers

1 Tetramorium immigrans colony-20 workers

1 Dorymyrmex insanus- 1 queen, used to have workers

 

1 large P. occidentalis colony- around 50 workers, plenty of brood

 

 


#40 Offline Swirlysnowflake - Posted November 12 2020 - 8:00 PM

Swirlysnowflake

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,155 posts
  • LocationBay Area, CA

I think Zootermopsis might be my all time favorite genus name, although the species Boops boops gives it a run for its money.

omg i have to go look up boops boops 

*boop*


  • Moonant01 likes this

 My YouTube channel :)

 

 





0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users