8 replies to this topic

[Ferox_Formicae]

So if you read my most recent post, you will know that I collected a large colony of Strumigenys louisianae, with workers about 100 strong, from under a rock. I put them all into a small vial and left them overnight. I planned to make a new setup for them overnight. This morning when I woke up, they were all dead. This isn't the firs time this has happened with Strumigenys. When I owned a colony of Strumigenys membranifera, the exact same thing happened! Does anyone have any idea why this could be? They seem like very sensitive ants. I am very sad that I lost this colony. It was like having a mini colony of Trap-jaw Ants with their spring-loaded mandibles. They even do that thing where they shut their jaws against a surface and fly back. I really need to know why they died so that next time I don't make the same mistakes.

[Scrixx]

That sucks to lose a colony like that. They might have dried out if they were in a collection tube without any source of moisture.

[Ferox_Formicae]

That sucks to lose a colony like that. They might have dried out if they were in a collection tube without any source of moisture.

That would make sense. And yeah, it does suck. They were so cool looking and I was excited to make a nest out of firebrick for them so I could see them better and watch their movements.

[GeorgeK]

 

That sucks to lose a colony like that. They might have dried out if they were in a collection tube without any source of moisture.

That would make sense. And yeah, it does suck. They were so cool looking and I was excited to make a nest out of firebrick for them so I could see them better and watch their movements.

 

I would suggest you actually contact AntsAreUs over PM. He should know ALOT about them

[Ferox_Formicae]

 

 

That sucks to lose a colony like that. They might have dried out if they were in a collection tube without any source of moisture.

That would make sense. And yeah, it does suck. They were so cool looking and I was excited to make a nest out of firebrick for them so I could see them better and watch their movements.

 

I would suggest you actually contact AntsAreUs over PM. He should know ALOT about them

 

Okay. I'll do that.

[DaveJay]

I found out pretty quickly that ants die if left in a collection vial/tube overnight without adding something damp, even a bit of wet tissue works okay. No airholes is not a problem but lack of moisture/humidity kills them within hours.

[Ferox_Formicae]

I found out pretty quickly that ants die if left in a collection vial/tube overnight without adding something damp, even a bit of wet tissue works okay. No airholes is not a problem but lack of moisture/humidity kills them within hours.

I kind of figured it had something to do with moisture. Thanks for confirming!

[DaveJay]

I found out pretty quickly that ants die if left in a collection vial/tube overnight without adding something damp, even a bit of wet tissue works okay. No airholes is not a problem but lack of moisture/humidity kills them within hours.

I kind of figured it had something to do with moisture. Thanks for confirming!

I found out the hard way, thinking I'll set up test tubes in the morning for the queens I collected rather than before going to bed but most were dead by morning. Then I did it again another time after a hectic evening, I thought of it once in bed but thought what difference would a few hours make? It made a lot of difference! After that I sat down and added water dams at the end of a dozen test tubes and put them away so they were ready for any queens I find. This was in cool weather too, nights around 10c in the loungeroom, I think in warm weather I'll put damp sphagnum moss in the collection tubes while still out looking. Live and learn I guess.

[Ferox_Formicae]

 

 

I found out pretty quickly that ants die if left in a collection vial/tube overnight without adding something damp, even a bit of wet tissue works okay. No airholes is not a problem but lack of moisture/humidity kills them within hours.

I kind of figured it had something to do with moisture. Thanks for confirming!

I found out the hard way, thinking I'll set up test tubes in the morning for the queens I collected rather than before going to bed but most were dead by morning. Then I did it again another time after a hectic evening, I thought of it once in bed but thought what difference would a few hours make? It made a lot of difference! After that I sat down and added water dams at the end of a dozen test tubes and put them away so they were ready for any queens I find. This was in cool weather too, nights around 10c in the loungeroom, I think in warm weather I'll put damp sphagnum moss in the collection tubes while still out looking. Live and learn I guess.

 

Ahh, now I'll know for next time.