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My Notoncus (Semiclaustral Founding)
Started By
Fabey
, Sep 18 2020 4:16 AM
9 replies to this topic
#1
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Posted September 18 2020 - 4:16 AM
Heeey community!
I bought a Novomessor cockerelli and because yesterday was my birthday I got two Notoncus sp. on top.
Because I was too impatient, I shaked the queen's into new test tubes, because the water tanks in the old tubes were totally dry... while moving them into the new nests one of the queens lost her one larva - how can I support her?
I read, that Notoncus is founding semiclaustral, so feeding them is necessary. Is there a chance, that the queen lays new eggs?
Greetings from Central Europe,
Fabey
I bought a Novomessor cockerelli and because yesterday was my birthday I got two Notoncus sp. on top.
Because I was too impatient, I shaked the queen's into new test tubes, because the water tanks in the old tubes were totally dry... while moving them into the new nests one of the queens lost her one larva - how can I support her?
I read, that Notoncus is founding semiclaustral, so feeding them is necessary. Is there a chance, that the queen lays new eggs?
Greetings from Central Europe,
Fabey
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Lasius niger
Messor barbarus
Notoncus sp. 2x
Novomessor cockerelli
Messor barbarus
Notoncus sp. 2x
Novomessor cockerelli
#2
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Posted September 18 2020 - 4:39 AM
Well you ended up with a double post XD
I am no ant expert, but even my fully claustral Camponotus barbaricus re-laid eggs after losing her nanitics and eating her brood, So I would assume a semi claustral ant would relay eggs after they settle down and arent disturbed, just make sure they have food and she should eat it and when she is ready holpefully lay eggs.
I am not an ant expert just my observations
- Fabey likes this
#3
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Posted September 18 2020 - 6:01 AM
Hey, thank you for your response!
I also wrote a PN to CoolColJ, cuz I read somewhere in this forum, that he is a pro concerning Australian ants.
I bought some boxes at the supermarket and wrapped the tubes in tinfoil - so they are dark and have an outworld. I will tell ya if the queen lays new eggs.
I also wrote a PN to CoolColJ, cuz I read somewhere in this forum, that he is a pro concerning Australian ants.
I bought some boxes at the supermarket and wrapped the tubes in tinfoil - so they are dark and have an outworld. I will tell ya if the queen lays new eggs.

Lasius niger
Messor barbarus
Notoncus sp. 2x
Novomessor cockerelli
Messor barbarus
Notoncus sp. 2x
Novomessor cockerelli
#4
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Posted September 18 2020 - 7:02 AM
If they are semiclaustral, i feel like they would be more likely to re lay eggs than claustral queens, so that is good. Just make sure to get them a drop of honey and a cricket leg or something as soon as possible.
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8
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#5
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Posted September 18 2020 - 8:10 AM
Do you have them on heating? Novomessor and I assume Notoncus are desert species and do much better when heated.
TestSubjectOne's Experiences in Antkeeping General Journal
Currently Keeping:
- Veromessor pergandei (1 queen, 600 workers)
- Novomessor cockerelli (1 queen, 200 workers)
- Myrmecocystus mexicanus (1 queen, 100 workers)
- Brachymyrmex patagonicus (3 queens?, 2,000 workers? & alates)
- Crematogaster sp. (1 queen, 600 workers)
- Liometopum occidentale (1 queen, 800 workers)
- Camponotus absqualator (1 queen, 130 workers)
#6
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Posted September 18 2020 - 8:41 AM
Hey, I have a heating for the Novomessor and Messor. Because the nest temperature for Messor should be around 26 degrees Celsius I use a thermostat. But our flat is around 24 degrees warm and because of the already low standing sun and our southwestern windows it heats up in the afternoon.
For the Notoncus the dealer supposed room temperature. I will keep them like he said. They come from the eastern, subtropical part from Australia - so I think it'll work out. I minimized the tube entry with a very thin straw, but they should get out and inside again. As food I'll offer them firebrats, which I cut in halves.
For the Notoncus the dealer supposed room temperature. I will keep them like he said. They come from the eastern, subtropical part from Australia - so I think it'll work out. I minimized the tube entry with a very thin straw, but they should get out and inside again. As food I'll offer them firebrats, which I cut in halves.
Lasius niger
Messor barbarus
Notoncus sp. 2x
Novomessor cockerelli
Messor barbarus
Notoncus sp. 2x
Novomessor cockerelli
#7
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Posted September 18 2020 - 9:34 AM
It seems like you have heating worked out for them, then. I'm raising some Novomessors myself, but keeping them at 30-32 Celsius and feeding them while they are founding, so I'll be watching your journal with interest.
TestSubjectOne's Experiences in Antkeeping General Journal
Currently Keeping:
- Veromessor pergandei (1 queen, 600 workers)
- Novomessor cockerelli (1 queen, 200 workers)
- Myrmecocystus mexicanus (1 queen, 100 workers)
- Brachymyrmex patagonicus (3 queens?, 2,000 workers? & alates)
- Crematogaster sp. (1 queen, 600 workers)
- Liometopum occidentale (1 queen, 800 workers)
- Camponotus absqualator (1 queen, 130 workers)
#8
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Posted September 18 2020 - 10:06 AM
I didn't start a journal but could do if you want 
And will you hibernate them? Cause on Fourmiculture I read, that they should hibernate as the Mediterranean Messors (3-4 Month around 15 degrees, but I wonder if 10 would also fit. I don't think our cellar is warm enough)
To my Notoncus: I gave them a firebrat and a cricket leg each. I put them inside their tubes but will not disturb them another time. But am a bit afraid that they won't fit through the straw that minimized their nest entry. I'd say it has a diameter of 4mm. The Queen's are 7-8mm long, but I don't know how wide they are.

And will you hibernate them? Cause on Fourmiculture I read, that they should hibernate as the Mediterranean Messors (3-4 Month around 15 degrees, but I wonder if 10 would also fit. I don't think our cellar is warm enough)
To my Notoncus: I gave them a firebrat and a cricket leg each. I put them inside their tubes but will not disturb them another time. But am a bit afraid that they won't fit through the straw that minimized their nest entry. I'd say it has a diameter of 4mm. The Queen's are 7-8mm long, but I don't know how wide they are.
Edited by Fabey, September 18 2020 - 11:24 AM.
Lasius niger
Messor barbarus
Notoncus sp. 2x
Novomessor cockerelli
Messor barbarus
Notoncus sp. 2x
Novomessor cockerelli
#9
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Posted September 18 2020 - 12:56 PM
If they are 7-8 mm in length, they should definitely fit. Almost no ant is half as wide as it is long.
"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
#10
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Posted September 18 2020 - 12:59 PM
almost????
Which one is????
1X Pogonomyrmex occidentalis 40-50 Workers
1X Solenopsis molesta 10 Workers (mono)
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