207 replies to this topic

[AntsDakota]

The only ways I could tell they were eating is if their gasters were full, or if they attempted to bury it after they were done.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

My Camponotus do both (they're very hygienic when they want to be)

[DDD101DDD]

Alright, thank you for the information and advice!

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

no problem, I'm willing to help anytime

[AntsDakota]

My Camponotus do both (they're very hygienic when they want to be)

Yes, they are. There's a cricket in my Formica's tube, and after several days still haven't dumped it in the outworld..... 

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Formica are hygienic in their own way (using rosin to kill off harmful bacteria? That's genius for an ant species)! 

[AntsDakota]

There should be a study titled- "The World's Most Hygienic Ant Species". There's probably even neater ones out there.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Fungus growing ants come to mind

[DDD101DDD]

It looks like you guys were right, I put in some fruit flies and they took them all in.

I don't know if it's just me, but I feel like there are more eggs now. In this picture, a worker has a full gaster, so I guess they were coming out.

Edited by DDD101DDD, February 25 2020 - 12:36 PM.

[ForestDragon]

they will lay a decent amount of eggs both of mine have around 15

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

look at all those eggs! looks like your colony is going to be taking off soon! Congrats DDD!

[DDD101DDD]

look at all those eggs! looks like your colony is going to be taking off soon! Congrats DDD!

Thanks! I just hope they continue to thrive.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

Camponotus are tough gals, they'll do more than thrive

[AntsDakota]

It looks like you guys were right, I put in some fruit flies and they took them all in.

I don't know if it's just me, but I feel like there are more eggs now. In this picture, a worker has a full gaster, so I guess they were coming out.

Wow- hope my queen lays that many eggs.

[DDD101DDD]

3/7/2020

 

I gave them about 20 or so fruit flies, they took them all in within a few hours.

 

 

3/9/2020

 

They seem to have moved away from the upper area and are now on the bottom, which is pretty nice, because now they're partly in range of my macro lens.

 

I also found a springtail in their garbage pile, so I guess that's pretty cool, but I have no idea how it got there.

 

Of the 20 or so fruit flies I gave them two days ago, only about 5 are left still being consumed, the rest are in the trash pile, as seen above.

 

Edited by DDD101DDD, March 9 2020 - 2:33 PM.

[Thunder_Birds]

Nice!! I have that same colony!

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

keep up the good work DDD

[DDD101DDD]

3/27/20

 

In the last few weeks, they've moved back to their old spot, moved back up, and as of today, decided to place half their larvae near the front, and the other half to be kept in the back with the queen. In terms of diet, they've been readily eating frozen fruit flies for a while now. I tried to feed them live ones, but they didn't come out and catch it(probably due to the colony's small size). All the larvae are a decent size by now, but none have pupated yet.

 

 

^ Amount of fruit flies they've been eating

 

When I filled up their nestmate, some water dripped out, and filled the piece of cotton they hung on the end.

 

On another note, my Lasius Neoniger has laid her first eggs. 

 

Edited by DDD101DDD, March 27 2020 - 2:17 PM.

[Nare]

Very pretty queen - I'm amazed she still has both of her wings completely intact. Can't wait for this species to fly in a few month's time.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

wait, you have neoniger?