17 replies to this topic

[ArmyAntz]

I have a small Pheidole dentata colony that I am planning on moving into a tarheelants nest. Would this species fall under the size "small" or "tiny"? 

 

I want to make sure the chambers aren't too large for them, because I know that can affect how comfortable they are in the nest.

 

(I've never ordered from THA which is why I'm asking)

Edited by ArmyAntz, August 15 2020 - 9:43 AM.

[Broncos]

I would consider this species being small.


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[ArmyAntz]

I would consider this species being small.


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This is what I assumed but I wanted to make sure I was right.

[ANTdrew]

I’ve talked with Mack about this on the phone. They go through more protocols if it is for tiny species to ensure there are no gaps. I would say go with “tiny.” You’ll have more peace of mind.
I learned the hard way to never put a small species in a “large species” nest.

[Antkid12]

I’ve talked with Mack about this on the phone. They go through more protocols if it is for tiny species to ensure there are no gaps. I would say go with “tiny.” You’ll have more peace of mind.
I learned the hard way to never put a small species in a “large species” nest.

This may be why a Tetramorium colony I had a while back escaped their fortress.  

Edited by Antkid12, August 15 2020 - 10:53 AM.

[AntsDakota]

Pheidole are tiny, just like Solenopsis molesta, Monomorium, Temnothorax, and several others. Small would be something like Lasius or Tetramorium.

[Antkid12]

My Pheidole dentata or morrisii's nanitics workers are big as the nanitics of tetramorium. But yeah, its probably best to choose tiny.

Edited by Antkid12, August 15 2020 - 11:03 AM.

[ArmyAntz]

I’ve talked with Mack about this on the phone. They go through more protocols if it is for tiny species to ensure there are no gaps. I would say go with “tiny.” You’ll have more peace of mind.
I learned the hard way to never put a small species in a “large species” nest.

Honestly that's something I never considered. I'll probably go with "tiny" in that case, I don't want to risk anything.

[ArmyAntz]

Pheidole are tiny, just like Solenopsis molesta, Monomorium, Temnothorax, and several others. Small would be something like Lasius or Tetramorium.

Fair enough, I'll probably just choose tiny just to be sure.

[ANTdrew]

I’ve talked with Mack about this on the phone. They go through more protocols if it is for tiny species to ensure there are no gaps. I would say go with “tiny.” You’ll have more peace of mind.
I learned the hard way to never put a small species in a “large species” nest.

Honestly that's something I never considered. I'll probably go with "tiny" in that case, I don't want to risk anything.

Yes, I think the difference between “small” and “tiny” is not so much about tunnel size as it is about escape prevention protocols. Again, I learned this the hard way.

[CheetoLord02]

Pheidole are tiny, just like Solenopsis molesta, Monomorium, Temnothorax, and several others. Small would be something like Lasius or Tetramorium.

This blanket statement is nonsense. Pheidole are the second most diverse ant genus on the planet, with (queen) sizes ranging from <3mm to 18mm. Pheidole dentata are definitely a "small" species, with the minors being 2.5-3mm. I do agree with Drew, going with the tiny option is probably smart just for peace of mind, but generically saying that Pheidole is a genus of only small ants is just not correct.

Edited by CheetoLord02, August 15 2020 - 5:41 PM.

[AntsDakota]

 

Pheidole are tiny, just like Solenopsis molesta, Monomorium, Temnothorax, and several others. Small would be something like Lasius or Tetramorium.

This blanket statement is nonsense. Pheidole are the second most diverse ant genus on the planet, with (queen) sizes ranging from <3mm to 18mm. Pheidole dentata are definitely a "small" species, with the minors being 2.5-3mm. I do agree with Drew, going with the tiny option is probably smart just for peace of mind, but generically saying that Pheidole is a genus of only small ants is just not correct.

 

I am well aware of the size variations in Pheidole species. However, I don't see how 18 mm Pheidole queens who don't exist in North America have anything to do with the situation on hand!

Edited by AntsDakota, August 15 2020 - 7:23 PM.

[Manitobant]

I’ve talked with Mack about this on the phone. They go through more protocols if it is for tiny species to ensure there are no gaps. I would say go with “tiny.” You’ll have more peace of mind.
I learned the hard way to never put a small species in a “large species” nest.

why exactly shouldn't you put a small species in a large nest? What happened?

[CheetoLord02]

 

 

Pheidole are tiny, just like Solenopsis molesta, Monomorium, Temnothorax, and several others. Small would be something like Lasius or Tetramorium.

This blanket statement is nonsense. Pheidole are the second most diverse ant genus on the planet, with (queen) sizes ranging from <3mm to 18mm. Pheidole dentata are definitely a "small" species, with the minors being 2.5-3mm. I do agree with Drew, going with the tiny option is probably smart just for peace of mind, but generically saying that Pheidole is a genus of only small ants is just not correct.

 

I am well aware of the size variations in Pheidole species. However, I don't see how 18 mm Pheidole queens who don't exist in North America have anything to do with the situation on hand!

 

Uh... 18mm Pheidole ONLY exist in North America. Ever heard of Pheidole rhea? 
 

That's a 28mm tube for reference.


Either way, yes, it is relevant to bring up the size variation in Pheidole. P. dentata are the 3rd largest Pheidole species in the eastern US, and are most certainly not on-par in size with the genera that you had listed.

Edited by CheetoLord02, August 15 2020 - 7:57 PM.

[ANTdrew]

I’ve talked with Mack about this on the phone. They go through more protocols if it is for tiny species to ensure there are no gaps. I would say go with “tiny.” You’ll have more peace of mind.
I learned the hard way to never put a small species in a “large species” nest.

why exactly shouldn't you put a small species in a large nest? What happened?

My Crematogaster cerasi colony live in a type III Nucleus. I ordered it off the ready to ship pages, and it specified for large ants. The issue I have is that the Crematogaster have no trouble slipping out between the glass because there is a noticable gap. I’m kind of anti-magnetic glass at this point.
Pheidole rhea is my new dream species. XD

[Antkid12]

 

 

I’ve talked with Mack about this on the phone. They go through more protocols if it is for tiny species to ensure there are no gaps. I would say go with “tiny.” You’ll have more peace of mind.
I learned the hard way to never put a small species in a “large species” nest.

why exactly shouldn't you put a small species in a large nest? What happened?

My Crematogaster cerasi colony live in a type III Nucleus. I ordered it off the ready to ship pages, and it specified for large ants. The issue I have is that the Crematogaster have no trouble slipping out between the glass because there is a noticable gap. I’m kind of anti-magnetic glass at this point.
Pheidole rhea is my new dream species. XD

 

Haha yeah, they are similar to Carebara.

[CheetoLord02]

 

 

I’ve talked with Mack about this on the phone. They go through more protocols if it is for tiny species to ensure there are no gaps. I would say go with “tiny.” You’ll have more peace of mind.
I learned the hard way to never put a small species in a “large species” nest.

why exactly shouldn't you put a small species in a large nest? What happened?

My Crematogaster cerasi colony live in a type III Nucleus. I ordered it off the ready to ship pages, and it specified for large ants. The issue I have is that the Crematogaster have no trouble slipping out between the glass because there is a noticable gap. I’m kind of anti-magnetic glass at this point.
Pheidole rhea is my new dream species. XD

 

I had a similar problem. Ordered a Nucleus off the ready to ship page for my S. xyloni. Hooked up the nest to their setup, came back a few hours later to check on the move and found them trailing all over my room. Not a great time honestly. They even raided and killed my polygynous Crematogaster colony. Always pay attention to species size is the lesson I learned.

[TennesseeAnts]

 

 

I’ve talked with Mack about this on the phone. They go through more protocols if it is for tiny species to ensure there are no gaps. I would say go with “tiny.” You’ll have more peace of mind.
I learned the hard way to never put a small species in a “large species” nest.

why exactly shouldn't you put a small species in a large nest? What happened?

My Crematogaster cerasi colony live in a type III Nucleus. I ordered it off the ready to ship pages, and it specified for large ants. The issue I have is that the Crematogaster have no trouble slipping out between the glass because there is a noticable gap. I’m kind of anti-magnetic glass at this point.
Pheidole rhea is my new dream species. XD

 

Mine has been Ph. rhea for 2 or 3 years now. They're huge, fast growing and trimorphic with true supermajors!