Jump to content

  • Gallery
  • Members
  • Member Map
  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

NickAnter's Polygynous Lasius americanus Journal(Over 250 workers!)

Started By NickAnter , Aug 12 2019 5:40 AM
lasius eastern sierras

  • Please log in to reply
199 replies to this topic

#61 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted February 28 2020 - 6:45 PM

Da_NewAntOnTheBlock

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,540 posts
  • LocationIllinois

yeah, larvae are like living duffel bags-the queens will stuff 'em with food, and they'll get bigger, however, all in due time


There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#62 Offline AntsDakota - Posted February 28 2020 - 6:50 PM

AntsDakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,994 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota
More like balloons.

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#63 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 2 2020 - 5:48 PM

NickAnter

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,307 posts
  • LocationOrange County, California

Queen 1: 5 or so larvae, doing great, one is larger than a small Nylanderia worker!

 

Queen 2: 10 or so larvae, most are decently large.

 

Queen 3: Scattered eggs.... And larvae! Yeah she has two larvae, amazingly, I sure hope she manages to rear them. I might introduce a nanitic fromone of the other colonies(if they get workers that is) to them to hopefully help her with her brood.

 

Queen Trio: Have some scattered eggs, and no visible larvae, the are covering the pile with their bodies.

 

Queen 4: Two larvae! Very small though. I think she is the best off because her colony certainly won't need sugars in a while..


  • mantisgal likes this

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). 

#64 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 6 2020 - 6:58 PM

NickAnter

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,307 posts
  • LocationOrange County, California
Yes! Queen 2 has a pupa with a cocoon! It will soon have about ten. All queens except for disabled one have at least five larvae.

Edited by NickAnter, March 6 2020 - 6:58 PM.

  • mantisgal likes this

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). 

#65 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 7 2020 - 5:45 AM

AntsDakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,994 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota
Nice! Mine just laid almost 40 eggs.......
  • NickAnter and Ants_Dakota like this

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#66 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 7 2020 - 12:19 PM

NickAnter

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,307 posts
  • LocationOrange County, California
Bad picture. Has two cocoons, and one being made:

Edited by NickAnter, March 7 2020 - 6:29 PM.

  • TennesseeAnts, AntsDakota and mantisgal like this

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). 

#67 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 7 2020 - 3:59 PM

AntsDakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,994 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

I love Lasius.......


"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#68 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted March 7 2020 - 4:36 PM

Ants_Dakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,059 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

I do to, i just need to be able to raise them(a feat i have never managed to do before...)


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

#69 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 7 2020 - 6:28 PM

NickAnter

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,307 posts
  • LocationOrange County, California
From what I have experienced they aren't that hard.

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). 

#70 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 7 2020 - 6:51 PM

AntsDakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,994 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota
Same here. It seems Ants_Dakota hasn’t had the luck we have.

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#71 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 8 2020 - 7:50 AM

NickAnter

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,307 posts
  • LocationOrange County, California

Trio has about 30-35 larvae now, as well as quite a few eggs. All  larvae are fairly small. Queen 1 has about 15 larvae, Queen two has FOUR pupae, and 8 larvae, and one or two eggs, and Queen 4, has about 20 larvae. From now on Queen 3 will be known as Complete Invalid. She makes no attempt to care for her brood, and there are now no more larvae.


  • AntsDakota likes this

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). 

#72 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 12 2020 - 3:54 PM

NickAnter

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,307 posts
  • LocationOrange County, California

All queens have at least 2 cocoons, except Complete invalid, who, believe it or not, has begun to cluster her eggs.

Queen one has four cocoons, queens two has eight, the trio has 3, and quite a lot of large larvae, and queen 4 has two cocoons, and 8 larvae, as well as two eggs.


  • ANTdrew and AntsDakota like this

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). 

#73 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 13 2020 - 6:03 AM

AntsDakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,994 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota
Mine have a couple larvae........

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#74 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted March 13 2020 - 8:14 AM

Ants_Dakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,059 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

Ahhh. This is hopefully the year that i can finally get a colony of these awesome ants. Hopefully...


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

#75 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 13 2020 - 10:07 AM

AntsDakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,994 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota
But finding queens won’t be a problem, of course.

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

#76 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted March 13 2020 - 4:27 PM

Ants_Dakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,059 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

But finding queens won’t be a problem, of course.

never has, and hopefully never will. They were the first nuptial flight i saw!


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)

#77 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 13 2020 - 5:17 PM

NickAnter

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,307 posts
  • LocationOrange County, California

I have given Queen 2 some small honey droplets. She was been looking horribly thin. Probably from feeding the larvae so much. Her brood growth has been like twice that of the others. The only other coming close was the alate, which is interesting.


Edited by NickAnter, March 14 2020 - 12:56 PM.

  • Thunder_Birds and mantisgal like this

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). 

#78 Offline ANTdrew - Posted March 14 2020 - 7:47 AM

ANTdrew

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 9,415 posts
  • LocationAlexandria, VA
Good work, Nick. My Nerdbox neoniger has a good clump of eggs now, so I’ll hopefully be jumping on the Lasius train very soon.
  • NickAnter and AntsDakota like this
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#79 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted March 14 2020 - 8:59 AM

Da_NewAntOnTheBlock

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,540 posts
  • LocationIllinois

hopefully!


There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike

#80 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 14 2020 - 10:32 AM

AntsDakota

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,994 posts
  • LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota
Just keep in mind that the egg stage is ridiculously long. You’re doing well if eggs hatch in two weeks, even if heated.
  • ANTdrew and NickAnter like this

"God made..... all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. (including ants) And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25 NIV version

Back to Ant Keeping Journals · Next Unread Topic →



Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: lasius, eastern sierras

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users