26 replies to this topic

[Manitobant]

As the snow starts to melt and spring finally comes for us up north, I now wanted to make a thread for antkeeping goals of the 2020 season. This includes things like wanting to catch or sucessfully raise a certain species, growing a colony etc.

I will start:

My antkeeping goals for 2020 are to sucessfully capture and raise polyergus mexicanus, a common species in my area. I also want to do more shipments and sell more ants to people.

[Cblake113]

My goals for 2020 is to find and identify ant species and successfully teach what I have learned and will learn to the public. I would also like to make a formicarium and successfully keep and raise camponotus spp.

[TennesseeAnts]

I already met my goal lol. I got Nievamyrmex nigrescens.

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

lol

[AntsDakota]

I plan to make a general collection this year. I would hope for it to include- (in order of capture)

 

Prenolepis imparis 

Lasius aphidicola/claviger/subumbratus/interjectus/etc.

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Camponotus novaeboracensis

Camponotus nearcticus

Tetramorium immigrans/tsushimae

Formica sp.

Pheidole bicarinata

Dorymyrmex insanus

Lasius brevicornis

Lasius americanus

Lasius neoniger

Solenoposis moleseta

Brachymyrmex depilis

Ponera pennsylvanica

Leptothorax sp.

Myrmica sp.

 

 

Found consistently almost every year, am fully confident I can find them this year.

 

Found once or twice, hoping to find them again this year.

 

Never seen before in my life, yet are native/have been reported by other local members, hoping to find this year.

Edited by AntsDakota, April 3 2020 - 12:53 PM.

[VenomousBeast]

Sadly, this is the end of the line for me for the next 2 years. I will be serving as a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint missionary and will be transported somewhere in the world to share the gospel and serve people. I will be unable to keep any ants during this time period so I've been preparing and selling what I've got now. Now I'm just waiting for my call, which has temporarily been postponed due to the COVID-19. I'm going to be unable to get on Formiculture.com during my service as well. I'm really going to miss you guys here! I hope most of you will still be here when I get back!!

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I have my goal species on my profile, and that's very unfortunate Venomous. You were one of the better ant keepers I have known and I wish you the best for the two years I won't be able to talk to you...

[VenomousBeast]

I have my goal species on my profile, and that's very unfortunate Venomous. You were one of the better ant keepers I have known and I wish you the best for the two years I won't be able to talk to you...

Thank you! I still think I'm very inexperienced but I'll be able to work on that when I get back   But at least for the next few months I'll still be here to talk and chat! I will be able to talk via Facebook and email on my mission so if you'd like my email or Facebook you can pm me for it!

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I will take up that offer, and when you get back, I will make it a mission to make you an amazing ant keeper. After all, you would have helped many people alike, so I feel I should do the same to you in return.

[AntsDakota]

Sadly, this is the end of the line for me for the next 2 years. I will be serving as a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint missionary and will be transported somewhere in the world to share the gospel and serve people.

What a noble cause! But don't feel bad over your colonies. You'll come back. Perhaps these will encourage you: 

 

Luke 2:20 NIV - The shepherds returned, glorifying and - Bible Gateway

 

Isaiah 55:12 NIV - You will go out in joy and be led forth - Bible Gateway

 

Acts 1:8 - Bible Gateway

 

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV - Treasures in Heaven - “Do not store - Bible Gateway

[VenomousBeast]

I'm a little disappointed over the release of my Stigmatomma pallipes "supercolony" because as far as I know, I was the only one with one. (I released them in my backyard in hopes that when I come back they'll still be there) I know what I'm doing is worthwhile to me and it may be hard to give away my ants now, I know that when I get back I'll be able to find them and MANY more! (Plus I'll be in another country or state for a while so I'll be able to see new ant species! I just won't be able to keep them, but that won't stop me from taking pictures!)

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I'm sure you could've asked a trusted friend or caretaker to take care of them, but I could also see why not

Losing a colony is hard let alone several. I was like a sick puppy after I lost my first (I released them)

[VenomousBeast]

I mean, I could have, but no offence to anyone near me (You guys really are GREAT keepers!!) but nature really is the best ant keeper out there!

[AntsDakota]

I'm a little disappointed over the release of my Stigmatomma pallipes "supercolony" because as far as I know, I was the only one with one. (I released them in my backyard in hopes that when I come back they'll still be there) I know what I'm doing is worthwhile to me and it may be hard to give away my ants now, I know that when I get back I'll be able to find them and MANY more! (Plus I'll be in another country or state for a while so I'll be able to see new ant species! I just won't be able to keep them, but that won't stop me from taking pictures!)

Mark 10:21 NIV - Jesus looked at him and loved him. - Bible Gateway

[Da_NewAntOnTheBlock]

I concur

[Whitelotus]

For my 2020 goals, I hope to capture and raise a Tetramorium colony once more after the death of my last colony, get my Formica Queen up and running after hibernation, and hopefully acquire a Lasius queen for the first time.

[NickAnter]

I want to get a large Camponotus species, as well as parasitic Lasius.

[Canadant]

This year:

1. Grow my colonies in a better fashion with more varied diet and heat cable (ie. Flightless fruit flies, roaches and bloodworms).

2. Get out there everyday (just like last year)

3. Attempt and succeed with parasitic lasius subumbratus (unsuccessful last year).

4. Brood boost a lasius sp.

5. Perhaps order some pogonomyrmex Occidentalis.

6. Build a larger outworld.

7. Start a journal (its started in the journal thread!!)

8. See if I can set some ant traps like placing a large flat rock on the ground and capturing a queen/colony that way.

PS. Venomousbeast good luck and take care!

[Ants_Dakota]

My goal is to own as many formica of as many varieties as possible, as i want to become an expert on formica.

[Temperateants]

My goal is to

1. Raise my Tetramorium and Crematogaster to at least 100 workers

2. Make a successful homemade culture of D. Hydei

3. Set up one of my small Camponotous in a THA mini hearth

4. Continue my youtube channel, I took a break to better care for my ants, and because of diapause

5. Sell some of my Camponotus

6. Get my formica and lasius going

7. Get my A. rudis going

Edited by Temperateants, April 4 2020 - 12:53 PM.