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Nanitics are being... odd

Started By Spazmops , Jul 24 2020 3:23 PM

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6 replies to this topic

#1 Offline Spazmops - Posted July 24 2020 - 3:23 PM

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558 posts

LocationDenver, Colorado

So I got tetramorium nanitics today. Yay! But they won’t go past the first 1/2 of their test tube or into the AC test tube portal I attached. Is this normal? I would think the queen would want food right away... I offered some honey and some clean water, but they’re still hiding. Any tips?

Co-owner and founder of Mountain Myrmeculture and The Menagerie Discord Server.

Ants I have:

1 Formica fusca group- 0 workers

1 Tetramorium immigrans colony-20 workers

1 Dorymyrmex insanus- 1 queen, used to have workers

1 large P. occidentalis colony- around 50 workers, plenty of brood

#2 Offline Zeiss - Posted July 24 2020 - 3:29 PM

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1,226 posts

LocationFountain Valley

They'll go out when they're comfortable. Keeping ants is all about patience.

#3 Offline ANTdrew - Posted July 24 2020 - 5:28 PM

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9,434 posts

LocationAlexandria, VA

They’ll be very timid until they hit about 40-50 workers, which won’t take long for this species.

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#4 Offline AntsMaryland - Posted July 24 2020 - 5:31 PM

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543 posts

LocationMaryland

They'll be like this at first. Give it a few more days and they'll be running around a lot more. Don't worry You'll have your hands full soon enough

Aphaenogaster cf. rudis

Tetramorium immigrans

Tapinoma sessile

Formica subsericea

Pheidole sp.

Camponotus nearcticus

#5 Offline ponerinecat - Posted July 24 2020 - 6:29 PM

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2,650 posts

LocationCalifornia

When any ant colony starts, they will be extremely cautious about how they utilize their nanitics. My Liometopum nanitics wouldn't even touch food a few mm away from them.

#6 Offline Spazmops - Posted July 25 2020 - 6:34 AM

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558 posts

LocationDenver, Colorado

Thank you guys! I gave them some honey water in their test tube because the queen took longer than most to produce nanitics, and the entire colony immediately drank. My main concern was that the queen would starve, so I’m more content with them taking their time now.

Co-owner and founder of Mountain Myrmeculture and The Menagerie Discord Server.

Ants I have:

1 Formica fusca group- 0 workers

1 Tetramorium immigrans colony-20 workers

1 Dorymyrmex insanus- 1 queen, used to have workers

1 large P. occidentalis colony- around 50 workers, plenty of brood

#7 Offline AntsDakota - Posted July 25 2020 - 6:35 AM

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3,994 posts

LocationSioux Falls, South Dakota

Most of the time the nanitics will eat when you're not looking. The timidness is an instinct which allows them to avoid predators more effectively in this delicate stage; and if they can avoid predators, they can definitely avoid you.

"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

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