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Setup for Polyrhachis Australis

Started By Leptomyrmx , Jan 17 2022 2:58 PM

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3 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Leptomyrmx - Posted January 17 2022 - 2:58 PM

Advanced Member

Members
286 posts

LocationSydney, Australia

Hi everyone, recently I found an ant shop in Australia selling Polyrhachis australis, a weaver ant species. I was just wondering if they need a plant to nest in, or can they just be kept in a normal formicarium as well? If they do need a plant to nest in, could I put a tall pot plant in this mesh enclosure and release them in there? Pop-up mesh enclosure (Large) - Minibeast Wildlife Bug Shop

And would that also work for Oecophylla weaver ants? I probably wouldn't get them though as they're quite aggressive and the colonies get pretty big.

Thanks!

PaigeX likes this

My Ants:

Colonies: Camponotus humilior 1w, Opisthopsis rufithorax 11w, Aphaenogaster longiceps ~5w, Pheidole sp. ~235w ~15m, Iridomyrmex sp. 2q 1w, Brachyponera lutea 6w, Crematogaster sp. ~20w, Podomyrma sp. 1w

Queens: Polyrhachis cf. robinsoni, Polyrhachis (Campomyrma) sp. (likely infertile)

Previously Kept: Colobopsis gasseri, Technomyrmex sp., Rhytidoponera victorae, Nylanderia cf. rosae, Myrmecia brevinoda/forficata, Polyrhachis australis, Solenopsis/Monomorium

Key: Q = Queen, W = Worker, M = Major

Youtube Channel: Ants of Sydney - YouTube

Patreon (for YouTube channel): https://www.patreon.com/antsofsydney

#2 Offline Manitobant - Posted January 17 2022 - 10:01 PM

Advanced Member

Members
2,899 posts

LocationWinnipeg, Canada

I’d ask some european antkeepers who have experience with polyrhachis dives. It should be quite similar.

My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#3 Offline Leptomyrmx - Posted January 17 2022 - 10:19 PM

Advanced Member

Members
286 posts

LocationSydney, Australia

If they're anything like dives, they should do ok in a normal formicarium. Thanks.

My Ants:

Queens: Polyrhachis cf. robinsoni, Polyrhachis (Campomyrma) sp. (likely infertile)

Previously Kept: Colobopsis gasseri, Technomyrmex sp., Rhytidoponera victorae, Nylanderia cf. rosae, Myrmecia brevinoda/forficata, Polyrhachis australis, Solenopsis/Monomorium

Key: Q = Queen, W = Worker, M = Major

Youtube Channel: Ants of Sydney - YouTube

Patreon (for YouTube channel): https://www.patreon.com/antsofsydney

#4 Offline PaigeX - Posted January 18 2022 - 3:57 AM

Advanced Member

Members
333 posts

LocationGympie, QLD, Australia

Hi everyone, recently I found an ant shop in Australia selling Polyrhachis australis, a weaver ant species. I was just wondering if they need a plant to nest in, or can they just be kept in a normal formicarium as well? If they do need a plant to nest in, could I put a tall pot plant in this mesh enclosure and release them in there? Pop-up mesh enclosure (Large) - Minibeast Wildlife Bug Shop

And would that also work for Oecophylla weaver ants? I probably wouldn't get them though as they're quite aggressive and the colonies get pretty big.

Thanks!

They don't need a plant to nest in. I found and collected a wild colony that was nesting in foil insulation.
Here is the set up i made for mine. They are doing very well in it. all they need is a lot of flat room.