Jump to content

  • 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

Growing Leafcutter Ant Fungus without the ants!


  • Please log in to reply
5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline VenomousBeast - Posted May 13 2020 - 3:00 AM

VenomousBeast

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 352 posts
  • LocationButler, Butler County, Pennsylvania

So, since I've been stuck inside and am bored out of my mind, I decided to do a little science experiment! I found a paper talking about growing Atta mexicana fungus in a culture. The point was to grow the fungus isolated from the ants and see if it would grow. I've got everything all setup and ready to go, I just need one last thing. I need leafcutter ant fungus! I don't own any leafcutters at the moment (Trachymyrmex sept. as it's the only one native). But I would be very grateful if someone is willing to share some fungus. *I don't need the ants* and because I don't need the ants, I can buy from anyone within and outside my state right?? If that's the case, I am willing to pay for it! 


  • Manitobant, OhNoNotAgain and jushi like this

Keeps:

1:Pogonomymex occidentalis

4: Tetramorium immigrans

2 Reticulitermes flavipes


#2 Offline Temperateants - Posted May 13 2020 - 3:21 AM

Temperateants

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 436 posts

According to AC (I don't have the best source, sorry) the ants have a secondary bacteria on their bodies that help suppress other parasitic fungi. 


  • VenomousBeast and jushi like this

Check out my Youtube Channel! https://www.youtube....xh-HaScAuE5CShQ

Check out my Crematogaster Journal! https://www.formicul...e-2#entry141180

 

 


#3 Offline VenomousBeast - Posted May 13 2020 - 4:05 AM

VenomousBeast

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 352 posts
  • LocationButler, Butler County, Pennsylvania

Yes, this is true, but that is why the medium (PDA) is sterilized and treated to ensure there are no contamination. All I'd have to do is inoculate the medium in a sterile area and it'll grow what I want. In this case, hopefully leafcutter ant fungus.


  • jushi likes this

Keeps:

1:Pogonomymex occidentalis

4: Tetramorium immigrans

2 Reticulitermes flavipes


#4 Offline Temperateants - Posted May 13 2020 - 6:17 AM

Temperateants

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 436 posts

Yes, this is true, but that is why the medium (PDA) is sterilized and treated to ensure there are no contamination. All I'd have to do is inoculate the medium in a sterile area and it'll grow what I want. In this case, hopefully leafcutter ant fungus.

The concern is that the fungus already has spores on it, which is why the ants need to tend to it, it'll just grow out of control without the ants.


  • VenomousBeast likes this

Check out my Youtube Channel! https://www.youtube....xh-HaScAuE5CShQ

Check out my Crematogaster Journal! https://www.formicul...e-2#entry141180

 

 


#5 Offline VenomousBeast - Posted May 13 2020 - 6:39 AM

VenomousBeast

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 352 posts
  • LocationButler, Butler County, Pennsylvania

I mean, that is true, but I'll just get an acetate wash for the fungus, which kills spores (which the leafcutter fungus does not have)


This isn't the first experiment done this way either: https://www.redalyc....hxX60g_Mwk93Nmk


  • AntsMaryland and TennesseeAnts like this

Keeps:

1:Pogonomymex occidentalis

4: Tetramorium immigrans

2 Reticulitermes flavipes


#6 Offline VenomousBeast - Posted May 14 2020 - 5:51 AM

VenomousBeast

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 352 posts
  • LocationButler, Butler County, Pennsylvania

So, back to the question: Does anyone have any fungus I could have?


Keeps:

1:Pogonomymex occidentalis

4: Tetramorium immigrans

2 Reticulitermes flavipes





1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users