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NickAnter's Solenopsis spp. Journal (Cool Video)

Started By NickAnter , Jun 11 2019 5:58 AM
solenopsis molesta solenopsis monomorium

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#121 Offline NickAnter - Posted July 20 2021 - 12:37 PM

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Solenopsis truncorum video. Stupid slow-poke larvae...


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Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#122 Offline ANTdrew - Posted July 20 2021 - 12:57 PM

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Those are some nice ants. I’ll try them some day.
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#123 Offline NickAnter - Posted July 20 2021 - 1:05 PM

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I should be able to get to 5 Solenopsis spp. by the end of the year, since I have made a trade for amblychila, and I will hopefully be able to get validiuscula in the sierras in a couple weeks. I would love to be able to study properly as many Cali species as I can.


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Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#124 Offline NicholasP - Posted July 22 2021 - 10:24 AM

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How do I know when solenopsis thief ant eggs are larvae? It can't tell if my solenopsis krockowi queen has eggs or not.


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#125 Offline TennesseeAnts - Posted July 22 2021 - 10:46 AM

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How do I know when solenopsis thief ant eggs are larvae? It can't tell if my solenopsis krockowi queen has eggs or not.

I use a stereo microscope to view my smaller ants.


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#126 Offline Daniel - Posted July 22 2021 - 10:50 AM

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How do I know when solenopsis thief ant eggs are larvae? It can't tell if my solenopsis krockowi queen has eggs or not.


Use a jewelers loupe.

#127 Offline NicholasP - Posted July 22 2021 - 2:50 PM

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What do you guys think? Should I just post a picture on my journal using my photography camera or just forget about seeing if I have larvae? Because I don't have a jewelers loupe nor do I have a stereo microscope. Also great job with getting those truncorum larvae NickAnter. I love that you're spreading your knowledge of these incredibly rare ant species! Keep up the good work!


Edited by NicholasP, July 22 2021 - 2:55 PM.

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#128 Offline NickAnter - Posted July 22 2021 - 8:12 PM

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I wish I could honestly say they are rare....

Several people have found them.

However, ladies and gentlemen, I have good news!

The larger group of truncorum queens have a pupa! Hopefully within a week or two Ill be able to get video of a little tiny truncorum worker.

 

EDIT: I use the lens of a clip-on macro lens to view my ants, and it works most of the time for me. Ideally I would have something of higher magnification that isn't on a microscopic level, but alas....


Edited by NickAnter, July 22 2021 - 8:13 PM.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#129 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 3 2021 - 8:03 PM

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We have great progress!

 

Solenopsis plebius:

Duo at over 40 workers, with lots of brood! Here is a video of them:

 

Solenopsis truncorum:

4 queen colony got a worker!! As soon as their eggs hatch, and they end up more easily dumped out, then Ill move them into the same type of formicarium the plebius are in. Here is a video:

 

Single queen has a pupa that should eclose any minute. I hope to awake to a worker... She has more developed brood than the 4 queen colony, so she will likely be moved first.


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Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#130 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 10 2021 - 9:57 AM

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Last night I started up the blacklight, and, after an hour, a validiuscula queen showed up! Then 2 more! I'm hoping for some more thi evening, as I have some doubts about the fertility of these queens, not seeing a single male of the species. Here are some pictures I am quite happy with:




And here is a video of the single queen Solenopsis truncorum I took a little bit ago:

When I left for camping they had 3 workers, and the now 2 queen colony, 2.
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Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#131 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 11 2021 - 11:57 AM

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I caught one more queen on the blacklight last night. She is considerably fatter than the other 3 queens. She is in a separate test tube than the others. Hopefully at least one of these are fertile.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#132 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 19 2021 - 9:06 PM

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We have 6 species now ladies ant gentleman(I'm very funny).!

Solenopsis truncorum

Solenopsis "plebeius"

Solenopsis amblychila (acquired through trade)

Solenopsis validiuscula

Solenopsis sp.(one listed above, now think it isn't validiuscula)

Solenopsis xyloni

 

Solenopsis truncorum: main colony has 8 workers and a bunch of brood, and the queen is quite fat.

 

Solenopsis plebeius has over 50 workers, and tons of brood, over 50, and both queens are still alive, albeit usually in different places in the nest.

 

Solenopsis amblychila currently has 3 host workers, and I will hopefully be able to get her a ton more tomorrow before she dies(I got her on Monday).

 

Solenopsis validiuscula:

I have decided this is indeed validiuscula. The others are the same size as plebeius. This queen is quite bulky, not as dark as she appears in the picture though.

 

Solenopsis sp.:

They are all still alates, and I'm hoping at least one is fertile... I just put them on heat today, and heat is what made the seemingly infertile validiuscula drop her wings.


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Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#133 Offline 11.11.00 - Posted August 19 2021 - 9:46 PM

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Good luck on the amblycheila! Those are tricky


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#134 Offline ANTdrew - Posted August 20 2021 - 7:43 AM

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You’re the Tsar of Solenopsis now.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#135 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 20 2021 - 9:37 AM

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Sadly Aaron takes that throne...

 

But I can be the Tsar of Western Solenopsis...


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Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#136 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 22 2021 - 9:48 AM

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:woohoo:

 

Solenopsis amblychila queen laid an egg:

 

The mystery species has no eggs, and none have removed their wings. I doubt they are fertile.

The validiuscula has been attempting to burrow into the cotton, but seems to have temporarily paused that behavior. The cotton is a bit wet, so when she gets workers,  I will move her into a hydrostone formicariumto prevent them from killing themselves.

 

Truncorum and plebeius are doing awesome! I will edit this post, and add some plebeius pictures. They have over 100 brood for sure now.


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Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#137 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 25 2021 - 8:36 AM

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Yeah well so much for adding those pictures... :whistle:

Here you go:

 

Also, we have more good news!

The amblychila queen laid more eggs! She has more than 5 now! She still only has five host workers, and as my now 2 worker xyloni colony gets more workers, I will add them. I really hope Ill be able to get a large, thriving colony of this species!


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Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#138 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 31 2021 - 10:23 AM

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Well, the amblychila queen was murdered. :boohoo:

I had over 30 workers in with her, and she had over 20 eggs, and was being cared for, when yesterday morning I woke up to her splayed out, mandibles open, 2 legs missing against the dry cotton..

 

Mystery Solenopsis sp. is infertile most certainly now.

 

Solenopsis validiuscula has around 15 eggs.

 

Solenopsis plebeius has over 100 workers

 

Solenopsis cf. truncorum has around 10 workers with a lot of brood.

 

Solenopsis xyloni has two workers and a small amount of brood. She would have around 10 by now if I hadn't stolen a bunch of workers for the now dead ambylchila.


Edited by NickAnter, August 31 2021 - 10:24 AM.

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#139 Offline ANTdrew - Posted August 31 2021 - 3:25 PM

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RIP amblychila 2021-2021
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#140 Offline NicholasP - Posted August 31 2021 - 11:00 PM

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Well, the amblychila queen was murdered. :boohoo:

I had over 30 workers in with her, and she had over 20 eggs, and was being cared for, when yesterday morning I woke up to her splayed out, mandibles open, 2 legs missing against the dry cotton..

 

Mystery Solenopsis sp. is infertile most certainly now.

 

Solenopsis validiuscula has around 15 eggs.

 

Solenopsis plebeius has over 100 workers

 

Solenopsis cf. truncorum has around 10 workers with a lot of brood.

 

Solenopsis xyloni has two workers and a small amount of brood. She would have around 10 by now if I hadn't stolen a bunch of workers for the now dead ambylchila.

For some reason solenopsis Amblychilla have some hidden key or something that every ant keeper is missing. I think I figured it out. I believe amblychilla need over 150 host workers because in the wild they have a whole colony to themselves. I also believe that after the workers are introduced you should introduce lots of solenopsis host brood.


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