20 replies to this topic

[rcflyer]

Trying to decide between Camponotus fragilis, castaneus or festinatus to keep.  Which are less sensitive and more active leaving nest? I like both orange and yellow coloring.  From what I gather Fragilis and Festinatus have fast movements and Castaneous more lay back?

[OhNoNotAgain]

There's already controversy about whether what's sold as C. fragilis are actually always really C. fragilis, but that said, "fraggles" are pretty well-known in Californian ant keeping circles as one of the must-have species, whether or not they are actually fragilis or something that looks a lot like them. IMHO, if you're buying, get from someone who has a good record of having sold fun, active, fast-growing "C. fragilis" colonies to other people, and what you get will likely be a fun, active, fast-growing colony even if people are arguing about what species they REALLY are.

Edited by OhNoNotAgain, October 22 2020 - 6:37 PM.

[B_rad0806]

Well if you are from Cali it is definitely going to have to be Fragilis. I'm 99% sure that Festinatus and Castaneus are not in Cali

[Silq]

There's already controversy about whether what's sold as C. fragilis are actually always really C. fragilis, but that said, "fraggles" are pretty well-known in Californian ant keeping circles as one of the must-have species, whether or not they are actually fragilis or something that looks a lot like them. IMHO, if you're buying, get from someone who has a good record of having sold fun, active, fast-growing "C. fragilis" colonies to other people, and what you get will likely be a fun, active, fast-growing colony even if people are arguing about what species they REALLY are.

I haven't heard of this. What would they be if not fragilis?

[OhNoNotAgain]

Well if you are from Cali it is definitely going to have to be Fragilis. I'm 99% sure that Festinatus and Castaneus are not in Cali

Yeah good point. Antwiki claims festinatus is in Cali, but yeah castaneus definitely not....

[OhNoNotAgain]

 

There's already controversy about whether what's sold as C. fragilis are actually always really C. fragilis, but that said, "fraggles" are pretty well-known in Californian ant keeping circles as one of the must-have species, whether or not they are actually fragilis or something that looks a lot like them. IMHO, if you're buying, get from someone who has a good record of having sold fun, active, fast-growing "C. fragilis" colonies to other people, and what you get will likely be a fun, active, fast-growing colony even if people are arguing about what species they REALLY are.

I haven't heard of this. What would they be if not fragilis?

 

 

"Camponotus fragilis is similar to Camponotus absquatulator in color and stature, but does possess erect setae along the entire head margin; in minor workers these setae may be sparse, but there are always at least 2 or 3 between the level of the eyes and the posterolateral angles of the head. Separation of C. festinatus and C. fragilis is no easy matter as the two are distressingly similar in virtually every feature. Furthermore, since C. fragilis is allopatric to C. festinatus, the two species hypothesis has not the benefit of the test of sympatry that so usefully distinguishes C. festinatus from such species as Camponotus microps, Camponotus pudorosus, and Camponotus vafer. Comparative genetic and molecular studies, such as those that separate C. festinatus from its sympatric relatives, are not yet available. Until such data become available the distinctions between C. festinatus and C. fragilis will be a bit uncertain." 

 

https://www.antwiki....otus_festinatus

 

There's even a debate right here on Formiculture about fragilis vs absquatulator but I'm not going to link to it as I hope it stays dead.

Edited by OhNoNotAgain, October 22 2020 - 7:16 PM.

[M_Ants]

I have some Camponotus that I'm fairly ceratin are absquatulator. They don't seem very different from fraggles at least from journals I've read.

[B_rad0806]

I have some Camponotus that I'm fairly ceratin are absquatulator. They don't seem very different from fraggles at least from journals I've read.

Nah, based on the pictures I saw I am sure those are Fragilis 

[M_Ants]

I got them Id based off their hairs. I pm'd AnthonyP163 who was 90% sure they were absquatulator. 

Edited by M_Ants, October 22 2020 - 9:30 PM.

[ANTdrew]

C. castaneus are some of the shyest, least active ants around. They are very hard to get past 10 workers without the colony beginning to implode. It's best to enjoy their beauty in nature.

[NickAnter]

C. festinatus are present in cali, just less common. I think that slow growing ants aren't neccessarily not fun to keep.

[rcflyer]

End up ordering castaneus as I like their orange color but for more active or fun Camponotus will have for festinatus.  

[KitsAntVa]

How did you even do that Castaneus are a eastern species.

[ANTdrew]

I’m really confused here.

[KitsAntVa]

Me to...

[rcflyer]

How did you even do that Castaneus are a eastern species.

I am in east coast.

[ANTdrew]

I see now! Castaneus was your only legal option all along.

[KitsAntVa]

Ohhhh and festinatus I seee.

[TennesseeAnts]

How did you even do that Castaneus are a eastern species.

I am in east coast.

Where in the East coast are you? If you're in SC I can set you up with a friend of mine that knows a ton about Eastern ants. He might even be willing to get you some other starter colonies.

[rcflyer]

How did you even do that Castaneus are a eastern species.

I am in east coast.

Where in the East coast are you? If you're in SC I can set you up with a friend of mine that knows a ton about Eastern ants. He might even be willing to get you some other starter colonies.

Thanks much I am in New York and is starter in ant keeping been researching what to collect. I love get yellow color Camponotus on West Coast but it’s easy or legal. I was able to ordered Pogonomyrmex from THA. Intent to keep Pogonomyrmex and Camponotus.

Meant to say it’s not easy to get Ants from West Coast.

Edited by rcflyer, October 24 2020 - 5:00 AM.