13 replies to this topic

[MadDog]

I have this girl set up in a test tube at the moment. Going to try to get a ruler on her soon with some better footage. Mainly wondering for the time being if she is fully or semi claustral. Hopefully the video works. It was very intriguing watching her dig around. Beautiful queen. I’m hoping she makes it, as my other attempts have not been successful. I’ve decided if she doesn’t make it, I will resort to simply observing ants in their natural habitat...

Video wouldn’t upload with my phone... Here’s a crappy photo. Sorry guys!

Attached Images

• 

Edited by MadDog, August 24 2020 - 4:13 AM.

[CheetoLord02]

This is a thief Solenopsis queen, so she will be fully claustral. It looks to me like S. pergandei, but with the lack of a measurement I can't be certain of that.

[Aaron567]

Yeah, this looks like Solenopsis pergandei. This species' queens are notoriously difficult to rear, as they are susceptible to all kinds of fungi and other things and have a very low success rate. There are plenty of other ant species you'd be able to find in your area that are much easier to care for, so don't let this species deter you!

[MadDog]

Thanks guys! Fingers crossed! Thanks for the encouragement as well! Lol I think my problem thus far has been mold issues in my tubes. I’ve tried everything to disinfect before making the tube, but in just a week or week and a half I have mold (or some other form of fungi) on my cotton balls... Just the water side though.

[ANTdrew]

Perhaps try adding in springtails to the tube?

[Spazmops]

What kind of water do you use?

[MadDog]

Springtails is a brilliant idea! Definitely gonna try that. And I was on city water. We just moved and now I am on well water. This is my first try on well water. Hopefully it’ll go better.

[Spazmops]

I used to get mold a lot, but ever since I started using distilled water I haven’t had any. This could just be correlation and not causation, but it might be worth a try. Springtails are probably more likely to make a difference though, I’d try those first if you can.

[Aaron567]

I'm almost convinced that Solenopsis pergandei, when kept in soil-less setups at least, need an extremely sterile environment, which is not very easy to do. Most test tube setups will get some type of mold after a little while because it's very difficult to keep anything that sterile, but most ant species are not harmed by the usual test tube mold. There have been several times where I have tried to keep subterranean Solenopsis in bare test tubes without soil and the brood has been attacked by a small white fungus. They have much higher success rates when kept in soil setups.

[MadDog]

Thank you both. I will attempt the soil set up when I get home. I’ll try to get some better pictures as well!
Thank you both. I will attempt the soil set up when I get home. I’ll try to get some better pictures as well!

[MadDog]

Here’s the measurement picture. Can’t find a magnifying glass anywhere right now... Hopefully this is clear enough! Haven’t moved her yet, but I’m researching the best way to set a queen up on soil. Any links to an established thread with that info? I’ve been searching but can’t seem to find anything.

Attached Images

• 

[Aaron567]

Definitely Solenopsis pergandei. This species likes nesting in loose sand so I usually just get some from my backyard and pack it tightly into a normal test tube setup so that there is about 1.5-2 inches of soil, and first have the cotton pushed down enough to where some excess water is absorbed by the dirt. S. pergandei queens will basically immediately start digging as soon as they come in contact with the soil and they'll almost always end up having a chamber against the glass so that you can monitor their progress. The soil in the tube needs to be watered regularly so that it doesn't dry out enough to collapse on the ants.

[MadDog]

Thanks! Very helpful advice! Hopefully I’ll have eggs soon!

[MadDog]

How’s this look? She’s definitely interested in the soil!

Attached Images

• 
•