667 replies to this topic

[AntsDakota]

I think anywhere between 85 and 90 makes for the fastest development.

[ANTdrew]

Good point. The box is back to the mid-80s with the foil removed. I didn’t want to risk getting the tubes too hot. No doubt the Cremas loved it, though.

Another update: a new Nucleus THA nest is in the mail for Sigyn. I will wake her up once it arrives. More updates to come!

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

She's a lucky gal to have a good god/dad like you 

[TennesseeAnts]

ANTdrew! I found a new Crematogaster cf. lineolata queen the other day and she needs a name.

Great job with your colonies btw. It looks like they're doing well!

[ANTdrew]

Thank you, Sensei. I can't wait to get them into the new Nucleus and wake them up.

 

Name your new queen Wealhtheow, after the queen of Hrothgar in Beowulf.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

her name translate to treasure bearer 

[AntsDakota]

If eggs are treasure, the name certainly fits.

[ANTdrew]

her name translate to treasure bearer

Now you’re following my language!

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I just googled the name and watched a video, but defiantly interesting 

[ANTdrew]

You’ll read Beowulf sooner or later as you continue your schooling. Definitely a classic. I’m thinking of using another name from it for my new Crema queen, Hygd, queen of the Geats.

[ANTdrew]

Mini-update-
I brought Sigyn home today from my parents’ basement, and they seem to be doing well. I’m still amazed how the colony survived with basically no extra moisture all winter. I’ll go through the daunting process of dumping them into their new Nucleus soon. Stay posted for updates and photos!

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

keep us posted! I for one am intrigued 

[AntsDakota]

 I’ll go through the daunting process of dumping them into their new Nucleus soon.

 I hope your arm comes out in one piece....... 

[ANTdrew]

Yeah, my marriage, too.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

That's the funniest thing I think I've ever heard lmao

[ANTdrew]

Update 3-8-2020

 

 A new chapter in Sigyn's life started last night when I moved them out of the ancient test tubes they've been in for over a year and into a luxurious Type III Nucleus. Once I got the colony home, I placed them in a mini-fridge that was in the upper 30s F to really chill them out. Dumping their tubes was incredibly easy because they all just slid out in a big ball with most of their brood in the middle. A few eggs were still stuck to the tube, so I did my best to fish them out using my trusty woodpecker feather.

 

Ball of frigid ants post-dump:

 

I set the nest on a heat cable and put a flashing Maglite over the foraging area to encourage their move down into the nest. When I woke up, nothing had really happened other than all the ants bunching up in the corners of the out-world. After church, the situation was the same, which was when I realized a wad of cotton was blocking the tube down! I pulled this out with some pliers and lamented my dimwittedness.

 

It took most of Sunday to finally get them all to move down. I basically blew on the groupings of ants with a straw every twenty minutes or so to discomfort them and make them explore more. After hiking with my kids, I came home to find the colony finally moved in - but there was a new problem! There is a tiny gap between the nest and the back glass just like some forum members mentioned the day before! I found a few Cremas wandering about, which is never a good sign, so I decided to seal up any possible gaps with a hot glue gun for more peace of mind. These are Crematogasters, after all!

 

Here is the gap:

 

I will contact Mack about this tomorrow. The best part of the whole thing was seeing Sigyn again for the first time since early May! Here she is with a massive overwintered brood pile:

Attached Images

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Edited by ANTdrew, March 2 2021 - 9:07 AM.

[Boog]

Cool! Can't wait to see them fill out that nest, let's hope that gap was just a one off...

[ANTdrew]

Update 3-10-2020

 

Things are going well for all my Crematogasters, old and new. Sigyn is adjusting to the new Nucleus, and I have the escape problem solved for the time being with the hot glue. I went to PetSmart yesterday and bought a mini heat pad that's about 3x6". I tried sticking it on the back of the Nucleus, but the adhesive it comes with isn't doing the trick, so it keeps peeling off. The ants are loving the heat, though, and clustering up on the heated sides.

The one thing I'm concerned about is that they aren't showing much interest in the dubia roach or the mealworm I gave them. Maybe they just need to warm up a bit or fully wake up from diapause?

 

 

I got a great surprise from one of my new queens last night as well: the first new nanitics of the year! That was about six weeks from when I pulled out the queen to first workers. I counted three nanitics with several dark pupae that should eclose any day now. I opened up their tube to slip in a nectar soaked paper towel piece and a bit of mealworm. I think I'll set them up with a small outworld ASAP, so they can have constant access to nectar. I think this must be a highly productive queen.

[ANTdrew]

Addendum:

I also forgot to mention that the Nerdbox neoniger queen laid a bunch of eggs, finally. I'm cautiously optimistic for her again.

[AntsDakota]

In my experience Lasius spend a ridiculous amount of time in the egg stage.