95 replies to this topic

[UtahAnts]

Update 31 - New setup for the pots

 

Updated colonies:

Myrmecocystus mexicanus

 

Myrmecocystus mexicanus - 180 workers

 

I moved this colony out of their dome setup as they had filled the entire thing. It took me an hour or two to manually move everyone, but I love the visibility of their new formicarium and outworld. In their new setup, the colony has taken advantage of the many humidity and temperature gradients to store brood based on age. They store eggs on hanging repletes, small larvae can be found on the cooler water tower, medium larvae can be found on the rock ledges, while large larvae and pupae blanket the floor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ernteameise]

Oh wow, these honey ants are beautiful.

[Locness]

Gif images, dual water towers, several points of view, and multi-levels--looking good!!

[UtahAnts]

Update 31 - Pots keep growing

 

Myrmecocystus mexicanus - 250 workers

 

Lots of new large repletes with plenty of pupae. The queen can often be seen hanging from the top rocks - perhaps being vertical makes egg production easier? This colony continues to favor cut mealworms to any other protein type. They have also created a distinct mound of pebbles around their outworld tubing. It's exciting to see natural behaviors become more pronounced as the colony grows, even in a captive setup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[UtahAnts]

Update 32

 

Myrmecocystus mexicanus - 300 workers

 

The colony is doing well, new batches of eggs and larvae are always coming through. I'd estimate they have around 50 repletes, the laergest of which is the size of a small grape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ernteameise]

Beautiful.
I would love keeping this species, but they are very difficult to get here in Europe and when they are available, they cost an arm and a leg.
So I enjoy seeing your updates.

[UtahAnts]

I made a few short videos of the colony. I estimate they have around 50 repletes by now. The queen seems pretty healthy - there always seems to be a sizeable egg batch below her.

 

Link here

[UtahAnts]

I tried taking some videos (links below) and pictures with a clip on macro lens. They don't beat the clarity of a DSLR but I like the zoom and focusing abilities in the videos. If someone would like to show me how to embed videos directly into a forum post that would be appreciated.

 

Link to video of queen

 

Link to short video

 

Link to short video #2

 

https://www.youtube....rts/vUAvF9zzwwQ

 

 

The colony is doing well, I've managed to create a few orange repletes by supplementing their red nectar with large apple slices. This colony is nearing 1.5 years old now, and I hope they continue to grow for many more to come 

 

Pics below, the queen was standing on the center of the top tier on one side - hard to miss. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by UtahAnts, June 28 2023 - 2:16 PM.

[Locness]

Amazing! The increased surface area and ceiling height must help against moisture and mold. I think that's why I had such a massive die-off.

[Ernteameise]

Oh wow!

Absolutely beautiful.

I think this might be my new dream ant, I wish I could get them over here without selling a kidney.

[UtahAnts]

Amazing! The increased surface area and ceiling height must help against moisture and mold. I think that's why I had such a massive die-off.

 

That's a good point, this formicarium is usually pretty dry but large colonies can regulate the humidity much easier than smaller colonies can. Some of my colonies would go through similar die-offs at a young age. I force fed protein and they usually got back on track.

 

Oh wow!

Absolutely beautiful.

I think this might be my new dream ant, I wish I could get them over here without selling a kidney.

 

Even in the U.S. they are relatively expensive, so I can only imagine what they cost in Europe. 

[AntsCali098]

My queen's favorite spot is also hanging upside-down. 

[UtahAnts]

Update 34

 

Myrmecocystus mexicanus - 400 workers

 

Last update in this setup, I'll move them out to their new formicarium sometime in the next week. The colony has continued to grow, albeit at a slower rate, likely because they have covered the walls of their setup with repletes (the repletes have begun jostling for room resulting in a pile of red marbles on the floor), and growth seems to have slowed becuase they have limited space, a behavioral response I've noticed with this species.

 

Overall though I'm very pleased with how this nest held up. The repletes took complete advantage of the overhangs and rocks, and the ants stored brood on each level - not to mention the overhead lighting. I'll update again once they're settled into their new setup.

 

 

 

 

[Ernteameise]

Oh wow!

Good luck with moving them!

[UtahAnts]

The colony was moved successfully into their setup. The M. mexicanus colony will now be featured in this timeline format journal - https://www.formicul...xicanus-colony/

 

All other colonies I still have are now in seperate journals with previous links throughout this thread. This all-species journal is discontinued until I feature a new species. If you've read this entire journal thank you for sticking with me to this point!

 

[Ernteameise]

OMG.

My jaw dropped to the floor.

This looks absolutely stunning.

What a centre piece for any collection.

This would also look amazing in a museum.