34 replies to this topic

[Canadian anter]

Do these mate within the nest at all?

I've seen a journal or two demonstrating actual mating within the colony. It was very cool!

Ok, thank you!
Do you know how big of a nest these would need?

They were fairly large mature colonies.

I think he means formicarium size

[Kaelwizard]

Do these mate within the nest at all?

I've seen a journal or two demonstrating actual mating within the colony. It was very cool!

Ok, thank you!
Do you know how big of a nest these would need?

They were fairly large mature colonies.

I think he means formicarium size

Yes I do, but what she said helps too with whether they mate in the nest.

[Unfrozen]

you only need 4 queens for nest mating

[Kaelwizard]

you only need 4 queens for nest mating

Amount of queens doesn’t mean anything. The alates produced by the colony would mate. The queens that started the colony are already mated so they have nothing to do with it unless they don’t produce alates.

Edited by Kaelwizard, August 31 2019 - 2:42 PM.

[AntsDakota]

Exactly. Even if it did depend on having multiple genetically unrelated queens, the alates wouldn't be able to tell if their mate is a sibling or not.

[AntsDakota]

Update???

[TennesseeAnts]

Exactly. Even if it did depend on having multiple genetically unrelated queens, the alates wouldn't be able to tell if their mate is a sibling or not.

Umm. They actually can tell their siblings from their potential mates. And for in-nest mating it does actually require multiple unrelated foundresses.

[AntsDakota]

And for in-nest mating it does actually require multiple unrelated foundresses.

Well, I guess with this species, that's not a problem. 

[Canadant]

Camera work looks fantastic. No need to apologize. That brood pile is so high one queen rolled down it. Lol. My wish is to have a brood pile like that with my ants someday soon.

How did you collect the ants. Scoop or aspirator?

Edited by Canadant, April 14 2020 - 7:04 PM.

[Canadant]

Well, everybody, 5 queens has quickly turned into over 15 queens. I caught this species breeding in the nest multiple times, and I caught it on video, too . This explains a lot about the species. The queens' notoriously short life spans, etc. Here is a video showing their brood and queen progress. They are really exploding. I wonder if the need for higher egg production has triggered the nest breeding that I experienced in my colony. Here is a video showing everything I captured:

What kind of nest do you have them in?

They used to be in a Aus ants size 02 acrylic nest. I recently moved them into a Tarheelants Antblock, as they required more space. couldn't of come at a better time, the new nest allows better viewing

I believe this to be the first documented case of Solenopsis molesta mating in the nest. Please correct me if I am wrong . I notice that the workers will assist the male and guide him towards a queen. After that, they back off, and the male does what males do . They do struggle a bit tho, breeding appears difficult. After he does his business, he dies fairly quickly. The queen then is assisted by the workers in removing her wings.

They're worse than the royal family in there! So cool.

Sorry if you're of royal blood. Just a joke.

[AntsDakota]

Update?????

[Mdrogun]

Update?????

I ended up splintering off the queens into seperate colonies and selling them. Just didn't interest me anymore, sorry 

[FSTP]

Imagine having so many babies that your floor is covered in them and to get around your house you just step on the pile for floor babies. 

[Canadant]

I have A two year old and six year old and if I'm not stepping on them, then they're climbing on me. I feel like a queen! Lol.

[ANTdrew]

As the father of two toddlers, you’ve accurately described my worst nightmare.