44 replies to this topic

[Ferox_Formicae]

So I did managed to collect a queen-bound colony with around 100 or so workers and tons of brood. I'll probably still keep the queenless colony for future studies (particularly on the habits of the parasitic Strumigenys margaritae, but this new colony will, obviously, be my main one.

Edited by Ferox_Formicae, May 14 2021 - 4:06 AM.

[Ferox_Formicae]

I just realized that I completely forgot to add in information regarding the new Strumigenys louisianae colony. The colony was collected under a bunch of roots wrapping around the base of a mature American sweetgum tree. It was a shady patch right at the edge of that lot I'm always crying about (information in other journals). Around the tree were a few slippery elms. In between about 4 of these trees was a slight impression filled with leaf litter, in which I've also seen Strumigenys reflexa and ornata. The soil the S. louisianae were nesting in dry-ish red clay soil about 2 cm below the surface under a fairly large root. I have yet to finish extracting the colony, as there are still a few workers left in the soil I collected them with. However, this soil is being run through a Berlese funnel, and all workers should be extracted within a few days when the soil finishes drying. I've given the ants a few springtails, but they've yet to attack them. They'll probably have to settle down a bit first.

[Ferox_Formicae]

I took some photos of the colony and thought I'd stick them in this journal. All photos can be seen here.

 

 

 

 

 

[TennesseeAnts]

Wow, very nice! I'm trying to locate the colony around that patch of forest from which I sent you that worker.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Journal transferred to here.