52 replies to this topic

[eea]

cool, I've also just realized I've never sent my queen, so here she is

[eea]

Queen now has 8+ cocoons. I noticed that she has been sorting the cocoons from most to least developed, or by their hue. Have you guys ever seen this behavior before? This is the first time I've ever seen a queen do this, and I thought it was pretty cool.  

she just has them in a big pile, not sure what you mean by sorting, like is she putting them in a line or separate piles

[PetsNotPests]

cool, I've also just realized I've never sent my queen, so here she is

Awesome queen. She looks nice and healthy. 

[PetsNotPests]

The queen is doing very well, and is laying a lot more eggs recently. There is a very large and healthy cluster of larvae hidden amongst the 8 cocoons, plus a couple larger larvae that I expect will pupate in a few days. You don't have to look hard to notice that 2 of the cocoons are substantially darker than the rest. Those should be workers in a week or so. Very beautiful species, easily one of my favorites. 

Attached Images

• 

[eea]

my queen has decided to take a break and wait for the new workers, which is fine

[eea]

the first nanitic has arrived

Attached Images

• 

Edited by eea, June 11 2021 - 6:47 PM.

[eea]

best picture i could get, she camouflages with the cocoons and moves quick

[PetsNotPests]

Not much of an update, but the queen has a few cocoons so close to hatching, you can see the adult worker within. This is the first time i've ever been able to see this with one of my queens, so I thought that it would be cool to share on this journal. 

[eea]

I'm worried about the cocoons creating mold, or is it okay

[PetsNotPests]

I'm worried about the cocoons creating mold, or is it okay

Don't worry. The empty casings will be fine, and the ants can actually eat them for food. Some invertebrates, like centipedes, actually depend on their old skins for fiber, as they are weak and need good nourishment. 

[eea]

oh that's good to know, thanks!

[PetsNotPests]

Nanitics!!!

Attached Images

• 

[eea]

Nanitics!!!

she's so cute!

[azzaaazzzz00]

Awwww, those cute eyes are so much more visible before she fully tans. It, to me, sort of looks like the nanitic is, like, bowing to her mommy.

[eea]

the worker is super defensive when cleaning up after them, its very difficult when the worker hangs around the cotton, the queen froze from stress 

[eea]

I'm starting to see why people sometimes call carpenter ants sugar ants, normally when i check my queen she gets startled and hides in the back but whenever she drinks honey she ignores everything

Attached Images

• 

[PetsNotPests]

3 workers now. Queen nice and healthy, and doing great. I'm about to feed them for the first time, and i'll post some pictures of them when I can. 

[Idontexist]

A little update:

Queen has 4 cocoons, and 2 more plump larvae almost ready to pupate. I'm expecting her to have 2+ workers in the near future. I can't wait!
I'm planning on keeping her in the test tube until she has 10+ workers, then she's going into a THA Mini Hearth.

I'll get some pics of her brood pile tomorrow.

wazza mini hearth?

[PetsNotPests]

 

A little update:

Queen has 4 cocoons, and 2 more plump larvae almost ready to pupate. I'm expecting her to have 2+ workers in the near future. I can't wait!
I'm planning on keeping her in the test tube until she has 10+ workers, then she's going into a THA Mini Hearth.

I'll get some pics of her brood pile tomorrow.

wazza mini hearth?

 

A Mini Hearth is a top-of-the-line formicarium from TarHeel ants, Which offers a variety of handmade formicaria all custom made. I strongly recommend their website. 

 

 

[Idontexist]

A little update:

Queen has 4 cocoons, and 2 more plump larvae almost ready to pupate. I'm expecting her to have 2+ workers in the near future. I can't wait!
I'm planning on keeping her in the test tube until she has 10+ workers, then she's going into a THA Mini Hearth.

I'll get some pics of her brood pile tomorrow.

wazza mini hearth?

A Mini Hearth is a top-of-the-line formicarium from TarHeel ants, Which offers a variety of handmade formicaria all custom made. I strongly recommend their website.

why isn't it available here in mexico.
Its not available in mexico