119 replies to this topic

[Ferox_Formicae]

New images added!

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Do you still have the P. ejectus? I've been considering filing for a permit, and of all the non-Wisconsin ants I want, these top the list. Consider this an offer, I guess.

Edited by Antennal_Scrobe, December 6 2019 - 3:00 PM.

[Ferox_Formicae]

Do you still have the P. ejectus? I've been considering filing for a permit, and of all the non-Wisconsin ants I want, these top the list. Consider this an offer, I guess.

Yes, I do. I have a fairly large colony that's doing pretty well. There are also tons of colonies in several trees in my yard. They're some of the most common ants in my yard, but aren't too easy to see as they're mostly arboreal, but occasionally can be seen foraging on my fence.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Do Pseudomyrmex ejectus hibernate?

[ponerinecat]

I would buy the harvestmen independently if I could

[Ferox_Formicae]

Do Pseudomyrmex ejectus hibernate?

No, they do not need hibernation.

[Ferox_Formicae]

I would buy the harvestmen independently if I could

I'm pretty sure it's legal to transport harvestmen across state borders, but correct me if I'm wrong.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

What is their current setup like? And what would you recommend me to make for them? I was thinking wooden dowels with holes drilled through, or vinyl tubing.

[Ferox_Formicae]

I currently have them in a small container with hollow twigs placed throughout, which they seem to like. I plan to eventually move them into a wooden structure with acrylic placed over it so I can observe them.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

How exactly do you water them? Do they need a humidity source, or just drinking water?

[Ferox_Formicae]

How exactly do you water them? Do they need a humidity source, or just drinking water?

Pseudomyrmex actually prefer a dry nest, so a humidity system is not necessary, and too high of humidity will actually kill the ants. I just give them drinking water from a test tube. I actually haven't had to tend to the ants in about a month. They're super easy to care for once you get their formicarium down and the ants happy.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

That's basically what I thought. I've even seen someone on Formiculture keep them in straight up vinyl tubing. Are they good eaters? Or picky?

[Ferox_Formicae]

I'd say they're pretty good eaters, though they are very cautious about it.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Do you have any pictures?

[Mdrogun]

 

Do you still have the P. ejectus? I've been considering filing for a permit, and of all the non-Wisconsin ants I want, these top the list. Consider this an offer, I guess.

Yes, I do. I have a fairly large colony that's doing pretty well. There are also tons of colonies in several trees in my yard. They're some of the most common ants in my yard, but aren't too easy to see as they're mostly arboreal, but occasionally can be seen foraging on my fence.

 

It's nice to hear about areas where the native Pseudomyrmex ejectus still thrives. They've been overrun by the invasive Pseudomyrmex gracilis in many parts of the country. 

[Antennal_Scrobe]

 

 

Do you still have the P. ejectus? I've been considering filing for a permit, and of all the non-Wisconsin ants I want, these top the list. Consider this an offer, I guess.

Yes, I do. I have a fairly large colony that's doing pretty well. There are also tons of colonies in several trees in my yard. They're some of the most common ants in my yard, but aren't too easy to see as they're mostly arboreal, but occasionally can be seen foraging on my fence.

 

It's nice to hear about areas where the native Pseudomyrmex ejectus still thrives. They've been overrun by the invasive Pseudomyrmex gracilis in many parts of the country. 

 

I've heard that P. gracilis actually competes more with Camponotus than with the native Pseudomyrmex, on account of their colossal size. That's just for nesting space, though; I bet they do compete with native twig ants over food and foraging territory.

[Mdrogun]

 

 

 

Do you still have the P. ejectus? I've been considering filing for a permit, and of all the non-Wisconsin ants I want, these top the list. Consider this an offer, I guess.

Yes, I do. I have a fairly large colony that's doing pretty well. There are also tons of colonies in several trees in my yard. They're some of the most common ants in my yard, but aren't too easy to see as they're mostly arboreal, but occasionally can be seen foraging on my fence.

 

It's nice to hear about areas where the native Pseudomyrmex ejectus still thrives. They've been overrun by the invasive Pseudomyrmex gracilis in many parts of the country. 

 

I've heard that P. gracilis actually competes more with Camponotus than with the native Pseudomyrmex, on account of their colossal size. That's just for nesting space, though; I bet they do compete with native twig ants over food and foraging territory.

 

I spent two weeks in Mobile, Alabama during July of this year. It's a city of like ~190,000 people on the coast of Alabama. However, I stayed in the suburbs. Almost all of the Pseudomyrmex I caught and saw were Pseudomyrmex gracilis. The only reason I know about Pseudomyrmex ejectus is because on my last day there I found a queen that quickly died. Even when I went into a small nature preserve on the bay, I didn't see them. I had just assumed that they were/had been mostly wiped out by the invasive. That actually sucks to hear even more though. I didn't find ANY Camponotus spp. when I was there either, and I'm guessing I have the Pseudomyrmex gracilis to thank for that.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

That sucks. At least P. gracilis is better than Linepithema humile.

[Antennal_Scrobe]

Anyway, I feel like I should ask about how Pseudomyrmex ejectus can be contained, as they seem like they could be escape artists, and I'm not sure how USDA would feel about even workers escaping their enclosure.

[Mdrogun]

Anyway, I feel like I should ask about how Pseudomyrmex ejectus can be contained, as they seem like they could be escape artists, and I'm not sure how USDA would feel about even workers escaping their enclosure.

I would imagine you'll be fine. They have no chance of surviving up here in the winter. I doubt they can survive temperatures much below freezing, let alone a 4 month hibernation period. South Carolina is pretty much the extent of their northern range.

Edited by Mdrogun, December 7 2019 - 12:50 PM.