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TN Aphaenogaster Journal (updated 7/26/2017)

aphaenogaster

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#1 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted June 29 2017 - 5:23 PM

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Hey guys, this is an Apaenogaster colony that I have been keeping for about 2 weeks now. This colony, like my other one, is also wild caught at a young age. I was very excited when I caught it because I had never seen this species of Aphaenogaster before. It is rather large and the queen looks more like a, Atta queen then Aphaenogaster. She is very large in relation to her workers, Which is especially strange for this genus. I had the idea for a while that maybe it was a Social parasite Aphaenogaster tenesseenses queen that just had not had any of her own workers eclose yet, but I don't think this is the case. Anyway, they have mostly been fed termites and grasshopper nymphs, which they are now refusing. :facepalm:All I know about this species is that it is very picky and I have yet to discover a sugar source that they show much interest in. I've been trying various fruits because I see Aphaenogaster eating mulberries in the wild. This colony is currently housed in a test tube in a small outworld, definitely the cheapest and most effective method I've ever used, especially if you have large, thick test tubes. 
Their outworld
The whole colony

 


Edited by TennesseeAnts, July 26 2017 - 9:26 AM.

  • ctantkeeper and Ants_Texas like this

I accidentally froze all my ants 


#2 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 23 2017 - 12:49 PM

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Update:

They have grown a lot and been moved to a Hybrid Nest, they probably have around 35 workers. I have been feeding them chicken, termites, graham crackers, honey, chocolate, and leafhoppers.

124
126

 


I accidentally froze all my ants 


#3 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 26 2017 - 9:25 AM

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Update: 

The colony appears to be having a die off, I've counted 11 deaths so far. Luckily it seems that they are doing slightly better now, it was probably due to them literately not eating anything. :facepalm:


  • lucas3431 likes this

I accidentally froze all my ants 


#4 Offline FeedTheAnts - Posted July 30 2017 - 1:10 PM

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Update:

 

I just released them. They were still dying off and now even the brood was dying :(  I hope they can succeed in the wild again. I will be using this journal again if I ever catch another colony or queen. I plan on experimenting with some social parisite species as I have seen and caught a couple, I didn't keep any though :facepalm:


I accidentally froze all my ants 






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