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

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

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199 replies to this topic

#81 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 14 2020 - 12:57 PM

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Yeah. The egg and pupal stages are ridiculous, but the larval stage is tiny. They go from larva to pupa in a week. Good luck! And queen two has a whopping 9 pupae! She should win the queen of the year award. She has a little more than half of that of the trio, who, in theory should have twice as much as they do.


  • 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). 

#82 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 14 2020 - 1:11 PM

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It seems pleometrophism isn’t as fruitful as people might want to believe.........

"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

#83 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted March 14 2020 - 1:13 PM

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very true


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

#84 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 19 2020 - 3:32 PM

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Actually, they have about 20 pupae now, as well as over 15 larvae.... And the Queen of the Year, Queen Two, laid 20 more eggs. And has 10 pupae. Pretty darn impressive for one queen. Queens One and Four, are nowhere near as productive, but One did lay about 10 more eggs, that are now tiny larvae. And, most interesting of all.... Queen 4 has a reddish purple larva. The whole thing. Pictures will come at a later time. As in 7:00 tonight.


  • ANTdrew, 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). 

#85 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted March 19 2020 - 4:11 PM

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interesting


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

#86 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 20 2020 - 6:11 AM

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Actually, they have about 20 pupae now, as well as over 15 larvae.... And the Queen of the Year, Queen Two, laid 20 more eggs. And has 10 pupae. Pretty darn impressive for one queen. Queens One and Four, are nowhere near as productive, but One did lay about 10 more eggs, that are now tiny larvae. And, most interesting of all.... Queen 4 has a reddish purple larva. The whole thing. Pictures will come at a later time. As in 7:00 tonight.

That’s why I love Lasius. They’re hyper productive!
  • Ants_Dakota likes 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

#87 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 20 2020 - 6:19 AM

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I had no idea they would be this productive on their first year. I knew they would go crazy next year, but I am clearly being proved wrong.

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). 

#88 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 20 2020 - 6:20 AM

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In my experience, Lasius can naturally be this productive.

"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

#89 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 28 2020 - 5:08 PM

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Pupae look like they're about to eclose! Especially Queen Two's. It has been so long( 3 weeks and one day for just the pupal stage!!) hopefully I will be able to take some pictures of a worker tomorrow.


Edited by NickAnter, March 28 2020 - 5:10 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). 

#90 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted March 28 2020 - 5:15 PM

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yay!


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

#91 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 29 2020 - 6:38 AM

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Looks like I was wrong. I checked a few minutes ago, and still no workers! I had no idea they would take this long. A least all of them have a large pile of eggs and small larvae, so I assume they will have a lot of workers by the end of the season, but they are just so slow in this stage. The trio has at least 50 eggs, and 20 more larvae, so it looks like they're cooperation is finally paying off.


  • 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). 

#92 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 29 2020 - 6:40 AM

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Pupae can be the most frustrating stage.......
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"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

#93 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 29 2020 - 6:45 AM

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This is taking longer than my unheated Camponotus hyatti took. By over a week so far. I sure hope there are workers tomorrow.


  • 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). 

#94 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 29 2020 - 6:47 AM

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I never understood why..... they’re so small.

"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

#95 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 29 2020 - 6:49 AM

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I never understood why..... they’re so small.

Maybe it is because of the way the larvae develop inside the cocoon? They could just be taking their time.


Edited by NickAnter, March 29 2020 - 6:49 AM.

  • TennesseeAnts and TestSubjectOne 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). 

#96 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 29 2020 - 6:50 AM

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But the eggs take so long too....... the whole cycle is just super long for such small ants.

"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

#97 Offline NickAnter - Posted March 29 2020 - 6:56 AM

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These queen's eggs took 16 days to hatch. Maybe one day less, as I could have missed one.


  • 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). 

#98 Offline AntsDakota - Posted March 29 2020 - 6:56 AM

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Tell me about it.

"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

#99 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted March 29 2020 - 1:20 PM

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I find that putting lasius in substrate like dirt is super good at helping them get through the brood stage fast. But then you can't see them. So, it is a give or take situation.


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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

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#100 Offline madbiologist - Posted March 29 2020 - 2:12 PM

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I find that putting lasius in substrate like dirt is super good at helping them get through the brood stage fast. But then you can't see them. So, it is a give or take situation.

Just put a little substrate in the tube.

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