40 replies to this topic

[nurbs]

Sold one with over 300 workers earlier this year. But have one with over 100 workers from this season with THREE queens. Really cool.

[T.C.]

May I ask what camera you use sir? Them are some impressive shots on the first page there.

[nurbs]

Thanks! I make a living as a photographer. 

 

This was shot with a Canon 1DX with a 100mm macro lens, extensions tubes, and proper lighting (more important than camera gear). 

 

Really busy with work, but if there's time may take more high quality shots of current species.

[T.C.]

Thanks! I make a living as a photographer.

That explains your quality videos in you tube.

 

Anyways, add a little narration in the video and you'll be as good as AC. Ya know, add something like.... "OMG!!! My camponotous got it's first nanitic!"

[nurbs]

 

Thanks! I make a living as a photographer.

That explains your quality videos in you tube.

 

Anyways, add a little narration in the video and you'll be as good as AC. Ya know, add something like.... "OMG!!! My camponotous got it's first nanitic!"

 

 

Haha yeah. That's exactly what I told Drew. He needs to OMG his videos more. Instant 999999 million subscribers. 

 

Thanks, all those youtube videos were shot with an iphone and a $12 Amazon clip on macro lens. Just have to light it properly.

[YsTheAnt]

What conditions do they fly in? Night day, humid? I just found these in my area, and I thought we only had Argentine ants. Also, what do you do different than other keepers of this species that makes yours so successful?

[nurbs]

What conditions do they fly in? Night day, humid? I just found these in my area, and I thought we only had Argentine ants. Also, what do you do different than other keepers of this species that makes yours so successful?

 

 

Drew and I have had this conversation. We think it's the temperature. His mountain ants never do as well as mine, but my desert ants never do as well as his. 

 

C. vicinus fllies along with the other mountain Camponotus during the first heat wave of Spring, usually late February or early March (C. quercicola, C. laevigatus, C. modoc, C. sansabeanus, etc). So when you spot C. vicinus, you will also find those other species. They are best found at night with a headlamp.

 

Should do more journals. There's lots of tips and info to share. Just no time, life keeps me busy! 

 

Keep in mind antkeeping is very region specific, and I don't think that is ever stressed enough. Tips you get from one antkeeper from one part of the world may not necessarily apply to you. So if you are up north, flights might be later, may mid March to May? Here's a video of C. modoc from last season's nuptial flight in the Eastern Sierras. Flew in mid May. On that same spot also found C. vicinus and C. laevigatus:

 

[YsTheAnt]

Ok, what temp do you keep them at?

[nurbs]

85-90 deg, with a 60 watt ceramic heat lamp.

[YsTheAnt]

Ok, and do you leave them under the lamp, or covered by paper or something. Sorry for so many questions... Just that you have so much success with them

[nurbs]

The heat lamps are clamped to an IKEA floor lamp. There are three heat lamps per shelf. The room is never directly in the sun, and windows are usually partway open. Ambient room temperature is always lower than outside temperature.

 

 

 

[YsTheAnt]

Thanks!

[nurbs]

Also, don't forget to feed them 

[anttics]

Nice. I would. like to keep some of these. Nurbs I'll get some Veromessor Andrei. when they fly I'm really close to them. if u are willing to trade. a colony. I'm the future. that will be nice.

[LC3]

Camponotus modoc flies at night at where you're at? They fly in the middle of the day here, on a sunny one on top of that. The contrast is interesting.

[YsTheAnt]

Also, don't forget to feed them

ROFL Don't worry, that won't be happening.

Camponotus modoc flies at night at where you're at? They fly in the middle of the day here, on a sunny one on top of that. The contrast is interesting.

Yeah, apparently. I have never heard of a daytime modoc flight in any journals and such.

Edited by YsTheAnt, January 28 2018 - 11:42 AM.

[nurbs]

Camponotus modoc flies at night at where you're at? They fly in the middle of the day here, on a sunny one on top of that. The contrast is interesting.

 

I've seen them fly during the day, along with C. laevigatus.

 

They are easier to collect at night because that's when they all come out looking for chambers.

[YsTheAnt]

What about C. Vicinus?

[nurbs]

What about C. Vicinus?

 

 

Nighttime for sure. You'll fine queens here and there during the day under rocks and bark, but at night they are literally crawling everywhere in the open.

[YsTheAnt]

Ok,
Can't thank you enough for all the advice