42 replies to this topic

[TennesseeAnts]

I finally found a new queen! I have her in a test tube and gave her a centipede piece. I found her in a hickory nut.

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, May 30 2019 - 4:47 AM.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Wow! Lucky!

[TennesseeAnts]

Not luck, just skillz.

[TennesseeAnts]

Also, what should I feed her until she gets larvae?

[Ferox_Formicae]

Also, what should I feed her until she gets larvae?

They really like centipedes. Try that.

[TennesseeAnts]

Ok. Any suggestions for food until larvae arrive?
I heard that these will accept foreign workers. True?

[Ferox_Formicae]

Ok. Any suggestions for food until larvae arrive?
I heard that these will accept foreign workers. True?

I'm not sure. I don't know too much about raising Stigmatomma pallipes. I know there are some really nice journals on the forum though.

[TennesseeAnts]

5-8-19

The queen took a Formica larva. I guess I have further proved the "Aphaenogaster Hypothesis" .

[VenomousBeast]

I also caught another yesterday!!

Since so far, as far as I know, I'm the only one who has successfully founded a colony with just a queen, here's some advice and exact directions on how to do it! I've been experimenting for the past several months, including separating colonies and isolating current queens and such. 

 

You NEED high humidity, 90% at LEAST, otherwise she will not lay eggs and she only does this 2 times a year.

 

Now, here goes the important part: With no larvae or eggs, she requires Aphaenogaster larvae to feed upon. This is why they are commonly found near them. They are temporary substitutes for the real thing. 

 

You can add workers and queens BUT make sure they are the same size... I've caught a colony that was 2ish mm smaller (may have been a subspecies or something!) but they did not like each other and the smaller colony died. They should be 6-8mm, these other ones... I don't know what they were... they were 100% Stigmatomma but smaller. I know they weren't Ponera pennsylvanicus. either. 

 

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me!

[TennesseeAnts]

The Formica larva is in a puddle of blood right now. I am looking for some more queens and workers. Where should I look for workers?

[TennesseeAnts]

Where to find colonies? Does she need soil in the test tube? What Aphaenogaster species?

[ponerinecat]

add soil,  or maybe moss

I think colonies are found under rocks. Try near other ant colonies.

[Rstheant]

Pics?

[VenomousBeast]

Any Aphaenogaster species, it's the behavior of the larvae they like. Also, you don't need any substrate but it does help with humidity control so it's a good idea. The best place to find colonies is deep in the woods under rocks. Also, the substrate is normally sandy dirt detritus mix so look for that when looking for them!

[Acutus]

Cool!! these are a type of Dracula ant? And we have them here where I am too! Guess I need to start lookin' LOL!!!

[VenomousBeast]

Yeah! They're everywhere when you know what to look for! I find them at least once everyday!

[Acutus]

Yeah! They're everywhere when you know what to look for! I find them at least once everyday!

 

Really? what's their size?

 

So what type of areas do you find them in?

[ponerinecat]

Yeah! They're everywhere when you know what to look for! I find them at least once everyday!

How. Just how.

[Leo]

 

Yeah! They're everywhere when you know what to look for! I find them at least once everyday!

How. Just how.

 

noni

[VenomousBeast]

They're about 6-8mm long but the Queen is slightly larger, but very very slight.

You'll find them in pine forests, oak forests, stream ways, decomposing leaf litter, wood piles, sometimes inside logs. They like the detritus/sand/soil mix
I found some more workers yesterday