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C. Vicinis Behavior

Started By MrPurpleB , Aug 30 2019 1:34 AM

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#1 Offline MrPurpleB - Posted August 30 2019 - 1:34 AM

MrPurpleB

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I have a couple of C.Vicinus colonies on their early stage. I had to leave for a few days. I came back with less workers, but a decent amount of pupae, so I am not too worried of the colony dieing out. However, I did see a worker die. It was just on it's back and slowing moving it's antenna. After it's death, the queen started to carry out and "chew" off its head. Not sure if the queen was eating the ant for nutrition, which would suggest that I haven't been properly feeding my colony. Not sure if it was actually eatin it, it's body was just left dismantle next to the pupae.

I am just worried that either have stressed out the colony or just haven't fed it enough. That same queen has one worker, but before there was 5, which are all gone. I feedy my colony twice a week. One sugar and one protein. Should I start feeding more frequently?

#2 Offline Amazant - Posted August 30 2019 - 4:09 PM

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What protein do you feed them? I usually feed my colonies two mealworms every two days or more in a week and some honey.
Colonies: Formica pallidefulva, Lasius neoniger, Camponotus decipiens, Camponotus sp, Camponotus Vicinus, Crematogaster Sp

#3 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 30 2019 - 4:20 PM

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On the title, you meant C. vicinus right?


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). 

#4 Offline MrPurpleB - Posted August 30 2019 - 7:15 PM

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On the title, you meant C. vicinus right?


Yeah that's what I meant, thanks for the heads up.

What protein do you feed them? I usually feed my colonies two mealworms every two days or more in a week and some honey.


Normally I would give my colonies a cricket leg or a part of a cricket. Just because I recently moved, which probably stressed out the queens, I have been giving them a piece of roasted turkey ham. From this experience it seems that isn't enough. Also for sugar source typically honey or sugar water. However I had to leave my colonies alone and have them a piece of apple. It hasn't been the best week so multiple factors may be in play.
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