147 replies to this topic

[Gregory2455]

I caught four Acromyrmex versicolor queens just south of Joshua Tree National Park a couple days after a mating flight, on an early August night. I tried as hard as I could, but I was not able to get the fungus necessary for their survival. I took them home anyway, in hopes I can find someone with the proper fungus. They have lasted a few months now on no food. dspdrew said I can get some fungus from him, so I bought some when I went to get the Solenopsis invicta from him. I immediately introduced two queens to the fungus. In their hunger, they immedietly tackled the fungus, split it in two, and devoured some of it. I gave them some of the same Cichlid Pellets that Drew fed his. They started adding to the fungus within the third day, and it is growing nice. It has started to look a little grey, but it continues to grow. Today, Day Three, they split the fungus into three separate gardens, which I am very happy about, because after they grow a little more, it will be extraordinarily easy to distribute fungus to the other two queens. Also, I used two queens at the begining to:

1: In case one queen rejects the fungus, the other one will still care for it.

 

2: Two ants caring to the fungus will hopefully result in it growing faster, so therefore I can give some to the other two queens in need before it is too late.

 

I know before they get workers, I will have to split them, and therefore the fungus as well again.

 

Here are the two queens a few hours before being introduced to the fungus.

 

Here they are with their three fungus gardens, each is about the size of their gaster now.

 

Here is the largest fungus garden magnified, through the glass. Notice the liquid around it is most likely excretion from the queens, which helps fertilize the fungus.

Edited by Gregory2455, February 20 2019 - 10:15 PM.

[DesertAntz]

Awesome. I hope your queens do well. 

[Gregory2455]

Thanks! I hope they do well too I have such hope for this species, I love leafcutter ants so much!

[dspdrew]

Nice! The fungus looks good, and is definitely being cared for with fluids and substrate being added to it that quick.

[Gregory2455]

Nice! The fungus looks good, and is definitely being cared for with fluids and substrate being added to it that quick.

 

Thanks! Also, what I forgot to mention is that I am SUPER open to suggestions with this colony, I have an idea of what type of formicarium I will make for these, but that is still in the rough stages of planning still too.

[Gregory2455]

The queens decided to merge the two smaller fungus gardens yesterday, and the fungus is now just about back to the size where I got it from Drew (Before the queens ravaged it), and may even be a little larger. Also, I see a clear patch on each of the two fungus gardens, even my eyes are not good enough to see what's in them, but as far as I can see, they may be eggs!

[Tpro4]

Nice, good luck with this species

[Gregory2455]

They basically have not added almost any substrate yet since I got the fungus, Drew, are the queens rejecting it, or do they think the things I am giving them will not do good for the fungus? The reason I stated it looks bigger, is because obviously the growing hairs of the fungus make it look so. It is now brilliantly white and healthy looking again however.

[dspdrew]

Just give them a variety of substrate to choose from. I'm sure they will start adding to it soon.

[Mercutia]

So happy for you Greg. Finally got your fungus. I bet you're going to have so much fun watching them grow.

[Crystals]

I bet you never thought that one day you would be thrilled to watch fungus grow. 

[Gregory2455]

So happy for you Greg. Finally got your fungus. I bet you're going to have so much fun watching them grow.

 

Thank you so much Mercutia, yeah, I am ecstatic to have it, and it is thrilling to check on it every five minutes!

I bet you never thought that one day you would be thrilled to watch fungus grow. 

Nope, that is the fun in it!

[Gregory2455]

Disaster! I came home today and checked on the fungus. It was fine just six hours ago, but now the largest fungus garden has disappeared and the small one looks like it is dying. I found a ball of substrate on the dry cotton, pretty tangled in it, which may have been the fungus. I am so sad right now! I do not know where a ball that big could have gone!

[DesertAntz]

That's unfortunate. Fungi seems like touchy business. So much can go wrong. 

[Gregory2455]

Yeah, I think in an emergency effort am going to go present them with a bunch of different stuff to feed to it, just to see if they may take one...

[Tpro4]

check and see if there is any fungus piece still alive

[Gregory2455]

It is still alive, it is just thinning...

[dspdrew]

Keep it very close to the wet cotton. I notice that every fungus garden I have is twice as white and fuzzy on the side closest to the cotton, and more towards the top of the tube where the water vapor mostly sits.

[Gregory2455]

The fungus is dead. I cannot see anywhere where it is growing, and this different fungus started growing on the substrate. It is white, like the ant fungus, bit has long thin hairs coming off of it, with a little ball at the end.  I am so sad.

Edited by Gregory2455, October 2 2014 - 2:45 PM.

[DesertAntz]

RIP fungi.