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Orion’s Solonopsis Invicta Journal

Started By Orion8 , Jun 2 2021 11:34 AM

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60 replies to this topic

#21 Offline yibsi - Posted June 12 2021 - 2:49 PM

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I cannot do a weekly update next week, because of a weeklong trip, but I will be doing a makeup update 8 days from now. Hopefully, we will have gotten some larvae by then.


Looking forward to the update, every time I stumble upon a solonopsis journal it makes me rediscovered the awesomeness of solonopsis, sucks though that here in central Illinois all I see are solonopsis molesta and other very small thief solonopsis. I still like the smaller thief ants but they are so tiny you can barely see them without a microscope or macro lens. Either way I’m looking forward to the explosive growth of these gals in the future, good luck!

    Nylanderia parvula - 4 queen polygynous colony with larvae + devoloping workers

    Camponotus pennsylvanicus  - 1 queen with 2 cocoons, and a few larvae and eggs

    Tetramorium immigrans - 3 colonies, first nanetics!

    Formica pallidifulva - 1 queen, 8-10 eggs

    Tetramorium atratulum - 1 queen with roughly 17 host workers

    :D Pheidole pilifera - 1 queen! recently caught! :D

    Solenopsis Molesta - 2 queens so far, polygenous set-up

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My Ant Journal - yibsi’s Wonderful Ant Keeping Journal 5-22-21 - Ant Keeping Journals - Ants & Myrmecology Forum (formiculture.com)

My T. Atratulum Journal - https://www.formicul...ontinued/page-2

#22 Offline Orion8 - Posted June 21 2021 - 11:43 AM

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I am glad for some enthusiasm and sorry I had to post so late. In addition to the egg pile, there may be a small pile of larvae, I cannot really see anything except under red light, will post photos. It is awesome that they are growing this fast. I have some freeze dried mealworms that say that they are for bird treats, will they be ok to feed the colony?

#23 Offline Orion8 - Posted June 21 2021 - 11:48 AM

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Could not get good photos, but there are definitely at least 5 larvae.

#24 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 21 2021 - 12:06 PM

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Most ants will refuse dried insects. You could try reconstituting them in very hot water, but I kind of doubt they’ll go for it. Then again, these ants can’t power their insane growth by being too choosy.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#25 Offline Orion8 - Posted June 25 2021 - 3:46 AM

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Ok, but before I keep a Colony of live prey, is there any other option you could buy from a pet store? Also, what are these guys favorite insects?

#26 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 25 2021 - 5:25 AM

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You don’t need live food! Freeze fresh insects before they dry. Mealworms, crickets, fruitflies, and dubia roaches are all good choices. Pop the container in the freezer when you get them. Chop them and let them thaw before freezing. Small insects thaw incredibly quickly.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#27 Offline Orion8 - Posted June 25 2021 - 1:16 PM

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No offense, but that was kind of confusing. What do I need to buy and what do I need to do with it?

#28 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 25 2021 - 1:38 PM

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Buy mealworms, crickets, fruitflies, etc and freeze them. Chop and thaw just the insects you need to feed each time.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#29 Offline Orion8 - Posted June 25 2021 - 1:52 PM

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Buy them live?

#30 Offline Orion8 - Posted June 25 2021 - 1:56 PM

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Just to clarify, I buy a thing of live crickets, stick them in the freezer to kill and freeze them all, and when I need to feed the ants, take some out, chop them up to thaw, and then feed them to the ants?

#31 Offline Orion8 - Posted June 25 2021 - 2:01 PM

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Also, about how many ants would each of those insects feed?

#32 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 25 2021 - 3:37 PM

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Just to clarify, I buy a thing of live crickets, stick them in the freezer to kill and freeze them all, and when I need to feed the ants, take some out, chop them up to thaw, and then feed them to the ants?

That’s exactly it. Half a mealworm or cricket would work for a young colony, then increase as the colony grows.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#33 Offline Orion8 - Posted June 26 2021 - 11:18 AM

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Third Weekly Update: The brood pile is almost as big as her, with about 10 larvae. Also, thanks for all the help, especially Drew, as I knew very little about the food before now.

#34 Offline Orion8 - Posted June 26 2021 - 11:21 AM

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Third Weekly Update: The brood pile is almost as big as her, with about 10 larvae. Also, thanks for all the help, especially Drew, as I knew very little about the food before now.
Third Weekly Update: The brood pile is almost as big as her, with about 10 larvae. Also, thanks for all the help, especially Drew, as I knew very little about the food before now.

#35 Offline Orion8 - Posted June 26 2021 - 11:25 AM

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Here are some photos.

Attached Images

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#36 Offline AntBoi3030 - Posted June 27 2021 - 8:55 AM

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I caught three in DC honestly not sure if I will keep them.

My favorite queens/colony’s:
Pheidole Tysoni, Selonopis Molesta, Brachymyrmex Depilis, Tetramorium Immagrians, Prenolepis Imparis, Pheidole Bicirinata 

#37 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 27 2021 - 9:24 AM

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I caught three in DC honestly not sure if I will keep them.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#38 Offline AntBoi3030 - Posted June 27 2021 - 9:26 AM

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? I am gonna give it a go then euthanize them

My favorite queens/colony’s:
Pheidole Tysoni, Selonopis Molesta, Brachymyrmex Depilis, Tetramorium Immagrians, Prenolepis Imparis, Pheidole Bicirinata 

#39 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 27 2021 - 9:37 AM

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? I am gonna give it a go then euthanize them

Wait, wait, back up. You found RIFA in Washington DC?
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#40 Offline AntBoi3030 - Posted June 27 2021 - 9:38 AM

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Yea near there found them near a Whole Foods lol I wasn’t expecting to find them in DC hopefully tetramoruim will kill them

Edited by AntBoi3030, June 27 2021 - 9:44 AM.

My favorite queens/colony’s:
Pheidole Tysoni, Selonopis Molesta, Brachymyrmex Depilis, Tetramorium Immagrians, Prenolepis Imparis, Pheidole Bicirinata 

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