6 replies to this topic

[Formicoidea]

Hey everyone.

 

So I'm a beginner ant hobbyist, I've only raised my first successful colony this year!

However.... I've thrown myself in the deep end... seriously..

 

As someone who lives on a farm (NSW, Australia) I have ample opportunities to collect ants (turns out I am terrible at looking for queens) and for some unknown reason, queen ants come to me.

 

Not sure what I'm talking about?

 

I have caught 2 Iridomyrmex bicknelli, in my house (hmmm..... pretty common...)

1 Camponotus consobrinus, under the dishwasher (yeah.... sorta common...)

          (After here I start paddling into the deep end)

1 Polyrachis femorata, in my bathroom (ummm.... ok... semi-claustral?...) (thanks to CoolColJ for the species ID)

and

1 Myrmecia pyriformis (probably), just chilling outside (OK?.. for a beginner???)

 

 

I want the challenge, so I'm not going to give up, but I do feel I'll need some help!

 

I have both the Polyrachis and Myrmecia in tubs and tubes setups (the Myrmecia has sand for the cocoon spinning).

Neither have laid eggs.

 

Is there something I should do in particular?

Any general tips?

Any websites that contain relevant information?

 

Anything at all would be seriously appreciated!

Thanks for reading this long unnecessary introduction/desperate plea !!

[Leo]

The title is a bit misleading XD

 

Myrmecia needs darkness, and some crickets to chow on. Polyrachis (in my experience) enjoy fruit flies, iridomyemx, just chuck them in a dark place for a while, eggs should come. Same goes for camp

[Joehostile85]

There there everything will be ok. (Emotional support)

Edited by Joehostile85, April 2 2019 - 7:08 AM.

[Serafine]

Polyrhachis and Myrmecia are both semi-claustral, they won't lay eggs or raise larvae unless they get food. Myrmecia species in particular seem to be very prone to eating their brood if they don't get some protein food every day.

[Formicoidea]

 

There there everything will be ok. (Emotional support)

 

Thanks...... I feel better already! 

 

Polyrhachis and Myrmecia are both semi-claustral, they won't lay eggs or raise larvae unless they get food. Myrmecia species in particular seem to be very prone to eating their brood if they don't get some protein food every day.

 

Thanks, i did know that they needed food, but not on a daily basis (for the Myrmecia), does that mean a new carcass every day? Or can the same (larger) carcass provide food for a few days. 

 

Also on the subject of feeding, i chill (to put them to sleep) then boil them (to kill any parasites etc), i do this by simply placing them in a cup of boiling water. Is this necessary? Is it a good idea?

 

 

The title is a bit misleading XD

 

Myrmecia needs darkness, and some crickets to chow on. Polyrachis (in my experience) enjoy fruit flies, iridomyemx, just chuck them in a dark place for a while, eggs should come. Same goes for camp

 

Hey, thanks for the info, i am however curious what exactly you mean by darkness, should i have a dark spot in the tub (test tube with foil covering it) (which i have already provided), or the entire enclosure in darkness?

 

Thanks again guys for the info and for the super quick response time!

[Rstheant]

Chilling and boiling is a good idea, except you cannot get rid or pesticides.

[Formicoidea]

Chilling and boiling is a good idea, except you cannot get rid or pesticides.

 

Not really a problem, i live on a cattle farm, no pesticides.

 

Also should i be crushing the insects? I have been removing the odd limb or pulling apart the body, is that even necessary?