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Ponera pensylvanica


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12 replies to this topic

#1 Offline azzaaazzzz00 - Posted May 17 2022 - 6:39 AM

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How long can a Ponera pennsylvanica queen survive without food before laying eggs? Also some tips and information on the species would also be nice, never kept them before, are they hard to keep? Thanks.


Edited by azzaaazzzz00, May 17 2022 - 6:45 AM.

Been keeping ants since January of 2021

Always try new things, even if its hard, hard is not impossible. We are smart and it's good to be smart but not too smart for your own good.

#2 Offline Manitobant - Posted May 17 2022 - 7:34 AM

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Ponera pennsylvanica queens need to be fed sweets even before the eggs are laid, although protein can usually wait.
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#3 Offline azzaaazzzz00 - Posted May 17 2022 - 8:36 AM

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Oh, I thought that didn't like sweets, she hasn't eaten n 2 days, maybe more if she didn't eat before flying. What sweets should I feed her? Will sugar water work? Idk if she is dead yet I need to check on her.


Edited by azzaaazzzz00, May 17 2022 - 8:47 AM.

Been keeping ants since January of 2021

Always try new things, even if its hard, hard is not impossible. We are smart and it's good to be smart but not too smart for your own good.

#4 Offline Manitobant - Posted May 17 2022 - 9:04 AM

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Sugar water should work. You could also try feeding her some protein in order to induce her to lay eggs if she gets stubborn, although it isn’t needed.

#5 Offline OiledOlives - Posted May 17 2022 - 9:23 AM

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I was not aware that this species needed sugars?



#6 Offline azzaaazzzz00 - Posted May 17 2022 - 2:40 PM

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Yea, I thought they only needed protien and not sugars. Is protien mandatory at this stage because I heard it was


Been keeping ants since January of 2021

Always try new things, even if its hard, hard is not impossible. We are smart and it's good to be smart but not too smart for your own good.

#7 Offline bmb1bee - Posted May 17 2022 - 8:30 PM

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It would be recommended to give her both, like a tiny drop of honey and a fruit fly, since this is a semi-claustral queen.


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#8 Offline azzaaazzzz00 - Posted May 18 2022 - 3:38 AM

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I ran out of fruit flies last week and I don't think my mom and dad has the time right now to drive me to the pet store before the queen starves. What's an easy way to catch springtails (like in my backyard), something that you don't have to wait long would be nice.


Been keeping ants since January of 2021

Always try new things, even if its hard, hard is not impossible. We are smart and it's good to be smart but not too smart for your own good.

#9 Offline azzaaazzzz00 - Posted May 19 2022 - 2:43 PM

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I fed my queen 2 springtails (originally one but decided to put two just in case) I caught in a puddle (that I made with a hose). The queen will probably put the spring tail near the entrance of the hole she made. How would I get the garbage out without disturbing her too much? What if the test tube grows mold? I've always failed at semi-claustral queens.


Edited by azzaaazzzz00, May 19 2022 - 2:44 PM.

Been keeping ants since January of 2021

Always try new things, even if its hard, hard is not impossible. We are smart and it's good to be smart but not too smart for your own good.

#10 Offline bmb1bee - Posted May 19 2022 - 4:33 PM

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I fed my queen 2 springtails (originally one but decided to put two just in case) I caught in a puddle (that I made with a hose). The queen will probably put the spring tail near the entrance of the hole she made. How would I get the garbage out without disturbing her too much? What if the test tube grows mold? I've always failed at semi-claustral queens.

Could you send pics? Two should be enough for now, as long as you feed her more in a couple days.


"Float like a butterfly sting like a bee, his eyes can't hit what the eyes can't see." - Muhammad Ali

 

Check out my shop and Camponotus journal! Discord user is bmb1bee if you'd like to chat.


#11 Offline azzaaazzzz00 - Posted May 20 2022 - 3:46 AM

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here are pics of her right when I caught her (I'll send pics of her currently today):

IMG 20220515 172431 1
IMG 20220515 170734
There's sand in the tube now btw

Edited by azzaaazzzz00, May 20 2022 - 4:05 AM.

Been keeping ants since January of 2021

Always try new things, even if its hard, hard is not impossible. We are smart and it's good to be smart but not too smart for your own good.

#12 Offline azzaaazzzz00 - Posted May 20 2022 - 3:23 PM

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Also, do I feed her sugar? How often do I feed her? should I only feed her springtails?


Been keeping ants since January of 2021

Always try new things, even if its hard, hard is not impossible. We are smart and it's good to be smart but not too smart for your own good.

#13 Offline bmb1bee - Posted May 20 2022 - 5:21 PM

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Also, do I feed her sugar? How often do I feed her? should I only feed her springtails?

A drop of sugar water and a few more springtails every couple days would be good. Or a small piece of any other feeder insect you have, if you can’t find springtails.

"Float like a butterfly sting like a bee, his eyes can't hit what the eyes can't see." - Muhammad Ali

 

Check out my shop and Camponotus journal! Discord user is bmb1bee if you'd like to chat.





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