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NickAnter's Strumigenys membranifera Journal (Pictures!)

Started By NickAnter , Jun 12 2021 2:14 PM

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36 replies to this topic

#21 Offline NickAnter - Posted July 6 2021 - 4:33 PM

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Well, good and bad news.

 

Bad news first. They ate the egg, and have laid no more since.

 

Good news...

 

I have found 10 queens now! I have 8 in the original setup, and i have since made a second setup that now houses 2 queens.

 

More good news!

 

4-5 queens are cooperating now! And the 2 caught today are also cooperating! Hopefully we will see some success with these eventually...


  • Antkeeper01, SYUTEO and AntBoi3030 like this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#22 Offline NickAnter - Posted July 7 2021 - 6:51 AM

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I have caught 2 more queens this morning. Sadly, I have noticed argentines invading the premises, which means I will have to be very careful with where I water, and allow most of the area to get bone dry again. This will probably result in less queens, but I can't have argentines killing Strumigenys and Nylanderia in that area...


  • Antkeeper01 likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#23 Offline NickAnter - Posted July 9 2021 - 7:41 PM

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All has been well with these...

 

And I now have 25 queens! :yahoo:

 

I will be sending a group of five away to someone who can actually get good photos and video of them as well, since I am not in any way short of queens, and I frankly cannot get good pictures with my current setup.

 

The OG group of queens(8) has an egg now as well! I'm *really* hoping they won't eat it.

 

The newer group of queens(12) appears to be doing well. I am encountering the issue of not being able to quite provide enough springtails from my culture, so I may have to start testing to see if they accept other food, or release some queens in the yard.

 

The five queens I'm sending are in a test tube with dirt, since that's the most stable shipping environment. Its compacted clay dirt(what they live in in the backyard) so they won't get crushed my pieces of dirt moving around.


  • Antkeeper01 likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#24 Offline Antkeeper01 - Posted July 9 2021 - 7:48 PM

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All has been well with these...

 

And I now have 25 queens! :yahoo:

 

I will be sending a group of five away to someone who can actually get good photos and video of them as well, since I am not in any way short of queens, and I frankly cannot get good pictures with my current setup.

 

The OG group of queens(8) has an egg now as well! I'm *really* hoping they won't eat it.

 

The newer group of queens(12) appears to be doing well. I am encountering the issue of not being able to quite provide enough springtails from my culture, so I may have to start testing to see if they accept other food, or release some queens in the yard.

 

The five queens I'm sending are in a test tube with dirt, since that's the most stable shipping environment. Its compacted clay dirt(what they live in in the backyard) so they won't get crushed my pieces of dirt moving around.

oh how i wish i could buy them. oh well either way good luck!


1X Pogonomyrmex occidentalis 40-50 Workers

1X Solenopsis molesta 10 Workers (mono)

Ants I Want: Crematogaster sp, Camponotus Sp., Ponera Pennsylvanica, Mymercocystus sp.

 

My Youtube channel: https://www.youtube....kUjx-dPFMyVqOLw

 

 Join Our Fledgling Discord Server https://discord.com/...089056687423489

#25 Offline NickAnter - Posted July 16 2021 - 11:19 AM

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3 queen group in the dirt setup has made a cool earthen structure that is remarkably thing, and still with a nice round entrance. Inside that structure they have 4 eggs! I'm really hopeful with this grouping, and Ill take pictures of the structure later today or tomorrow.

 

Should hopefully see larvae next week!! Not sure what I'm going to do with the uncooperative queens though. :/


  • Antkeeper01 likes this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#26 Offline Antkeeper01 - Posted July 17 2021 - 11:01 AM

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i think you should kill all the argentines you see like flip rocks inspect under there if there's only argentines step on them 


1X Pogonomyrmex occidentalis 40-50 Workers

1X Solenopsis molesta 10 Workers (mono)

Ants I Want: Crematogaster sp, Camponotus Sp., Ponera Pennsylvanica, Mymercocystus sp.

 

My Youtube channel: https://www.youtube....kUjx-dPFMyVqOLw

 

 Join Our Fledgling Discord Server https://discord.com/...089056687423489

#27 Offline NickAnter - Posted July 17 2021 - 12:30 PM

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There aren't any argentines back there anymore. All I have to do is let it dry out a bit, and they leave.

And the group with 4 eggs has a decent sized pile of dead springtails inside their earthen hut, so hopefully won't have to worry about disturbing them for a few days to feed them.

 

I caught 2 queens and a worker today, and put them in a new setup. Hopefully we will get some eggs there soon as well.


Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#28 Offline JamesJohnson - Posted July 17 2021 - 2:18 PM

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There aren't any argentines back there anymore. All I have to do is let it dry out a bit, and they leave.

Yeah, I notice a big difference in argentine ants depending on whether or not I water my plants. Good thing Californian plants only need water twice a year. 


#29 Offline NickAnter - Posted July 21 2021 - 9:02 AM

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Queens inside dirt structure have 9 eggs now!!! I'm going to have to increase their food amount by a considerable margin once those eggs hatch...


  • TestSubjectOne and SYUTEO like this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#30 Offline NickAnter - Posted August 3 2021 - 8:16 PM

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Hmmm...

 

Little while since last update, they must be dead....

 

But no!

 

The queens inside the structure have at least 1 larva ladies and gentlemen!! Admittedly, a bunch of queens have been dying in the original setup, but I don't think that's my fault(hopefully).

 

I'm deathly afraid to take pictures or video, and I never check up on them for more than 10 seconds at a time, as they have eaten the eggs a couple times before, I do not want them to have a chance to eat those/that larva(e).


  • Antkeeper01, ANTS_KL, SYUTEO and 1 other like this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#31 Offline AntBoi3030 - Posted August 4 2021 - 6:41 AM

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Psych!

My favorite queens/colony’s:
Pheidole Tysoni, Selonopis Molesta, Brachymyrmex Depilis, Tetramorium Immagrians, Prenolepis Imparis, Pheidole Bicirinata 

#32 Offline NickAnter - Posted November 14 2021 - 1:15 PM

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OK, I know, I know, long time no update. Again.

 

But hey.

 

We have progress!

 

They have eaten their larvae once before, but, they now seem acclimated to being checked on. Thankfully. There were 3 queens in the dirt structure for a while, and another in a separate dirt structure. The latter got a large larva, then proceeded to eat it. It then laid eggs. The ones in the dirt structure had eggs and a tiny larva that didn't seem to want to grow. I accidentally destroyed the alone queen's structure. She proceeded to move in with the other 3. Since then, growth has occurred!!

 

Their larvae have been growing and growing, and more eggs have been laid. Yesterday, to my delight, I saw a pupa!

 

At least, I'm 95% sure it's a pupa.

 

If it turns out to be a springtail I shall be very sad. But I think it is not and we shall leave it there and celebrate!!!

 

I can't wait for the worker to eclose. I'm also going to make them a setup in which, believe it or not, I will be able to actually see them.


Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#33 Offline JamesJohnson - Posted November 14 2021 - 1:59 PM

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Nice! Best of luck on that un-identified object being a pupae.

 

On a related side note, have you seen the recent paper on native and exotic Strumigenys of the western United Sates? https://www.mapress....ootaxa.5061.2.1


#34 Offline NickAnter - Posted November 14 2021 - 8:13 PM

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OK, 100% confirmed now. Its a pupa, ladies and gentlemen.


  • Antkeeper01, SYUTEO and JamesJohnson like this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#35 Offline NickAnter - Posted November 30 2021 - 10:01 PM

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:yahoo:

We have a worker!!!!!!!

 

 

 

They also have a second pupa, a large larva, some eggs and another larva. I have a better formicarium pretty much ready for them, I just am going to wait until the next pupa ecloses before I move them in. As you can tell by the pictures, it's rather hard to take them.


  • Antkeeper01, SYUTEO and AntBoi3030 like this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

#36 Offline antsriondel - Posted December 8 2021 - 6:21 PM

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congrats!!


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#37 Offline NickAnter - Posted December 29 2021 - 7:38 PM

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Since then, they have done OK.

 

They ate the brood they had then, barring one larva.

 

The fourth queen disappeared.

 

But, I moved them into a new formicarium, one where I can see them, and quite well at that. I can even take distinguishable pictures. It also happens to be a large enough formicarium that it should last them forever.

 

And you know what the second statement on the prior sentence means!

 

 

They have about five eggs, and the aforementioned larva. I will start ramping up feeding to try to get them to grow a bit more.


Edited by NickAnter, December 29 2021 - 7:39 PM.

  • Zeiss and PaigeX like this

Hi there! I went on a 6 month or so hiatus, in part due, and in part cause of the death of my colonies. 

However, I went back to the Sierras, and restarted my collection, which is now as follows:

Aphaenogaster uinta, Camponotus vicinus, Camponotus modoc, Formica cf. aserva, Formica cf. micropthalma, Formica cf. manni, Formica subpolita, Formica cf. subaenescens, Lasius americanus, Manica invidia, Pogonomyrmex salinus, Pogonomyrmex sp. 1, Solenopsis validiuscula, & Solenopsis sp. 3 (new Sierra variant). 

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