39 replies to this topic

[AntsCali098]

It's happening, this colony is exploding. Unfortunately, they are being annoying in that they put a bunch of sand on the glass, so I can't get the best shots. They have about 40 pupae and around 50 workers now. The outworld always has 8+ ants in it. I am going to connect either another mini hearth, or move them into an xl. The explosion is finally starting.

Edited by AntsCali098, April 14 2023 - 8:14 PM.

[ANTdrew]

Do you have a cover for the glass? Keeping the nest dark may stop them from putting any more sand.

[AntsCali098]

I keep them in a dark place at all times and check them about once or twice a week. They don't need to be fed much since they have some crushed seed.

[DRpepper]

Ah geez, I feel bad for you, Immigrans is so annoying to keep because of their growth rate

your name captures your opinion perfectly 

[AntsCali098]

I managed to wipe the sand of of their glass, allowing me to get some decent shots. They are at 70+ workers with more to come!

Edited by AntsCali098, June 9 2023 - 11:23 AM.

[AntsCali098]

Nothing much has changed for this colony. The queen has been pumping out brood and gained a few workers since the last update.

[AntsCali098]

They continue to grow, although quite slowly. The queen's spot is sitting amongst all her workers and brood, it's quite beautiful to see. They still have a good amount of brood and 80ish workers.

Edited by AntsCali098, June 9 2023 - 11:24 AM.

[Ernteameise]

One thing for sure with these nests, you can take some amazing pictures of the colonies.

[AntsCali098]

One thing for sure with these nests, you can take some amazing pictures of the colonies.

It's funny, because it's usually the opposite with these nests. Usually, colonies will dirty up the glass pretty quickly, but this has just been cleaned. Plus, the colony is in a great filming spot.

[AntsCali098]

It's been awhile since I updated. I've been feeding them more as of recently and they just got a new mini hearth that they are just exploring as of now. They have definitely grown quite a bit, and are at 250-300 workers right now. I'm not great at estimation so I'd love some input if that is a good one.

Here's a video on them and their new setup:

[AsdinAnts]

I wish i had tetramorium 😔 but I can never seem to find them. I live in SoCal so they are like non-existent.

[Invix]

Any immigrans colony should be at least 1000 workers by now. My biggest immigrans have 1,200 workers and the queen was caught last year in july.

[AntsCali098]

Yeah I've neglected them in the past, but feeding them a lot more now

Edited by AntsCali098, December 18 2023 - 9:22 PM.

[rptraut]

Hello AntsCali098;

Even though they may not be breaking any records, slow growth is a good strategy for a Tetramorium colony.  I just have one observation.  Your queen seems to be much larger than the workers, compared to a recent small colony that I've acquired.  I was sure mine were Tetramorium, but when I look at the size difference of yours, I wonder.

 

This is the first time I've tried this; I've posted a video of my colony on Youtube that I hope you will be able to view here Small Tetramorium colony (youtube.com).

 

I'm curious what you might think about this video.  These ants are from an area north of where I live, in Northern Ontario, Canada.  Perhaps this has something to do with the size difference (yours aren't  nanitics).  I'm curious what viewers might think.

RPT

[100lols]

Keep the videos coming RPT. Lovely little colony. I'm afraid I can't help elaborate on the size difference you've noticed.

Awesome update [mention]AntsCali098 [/mention]!!! Keep the power feeding going

[Invix]

Hello AntsCali098;
Even though they may not be breaking any records, slow growth is a good strategy for a Tetramorium colony. I just have one observation. Your queen seems to be much larger than the workers, compared to a recent small colony that I've acquired. I was sure mine were Tetramorium, but when I look at the size difference of yours, I wonder.

This is the first time I've tried this; I've posted a video of my colony on Youtube that I hope you will be able to view here Small Tetramorium colony (youtube.com).

I'm curious what you might think about this video. These ants are from an area north of where I live, in Northern Ontario, Canada. Perhaps this has something to do with the size difference (yours aren't nanitics). I'm curious what viewers might think.
RPT

that's a temnothorax genus not tetramorium.

[AntsCali098]

Hello AntsCali098;
Even though they may not be breaking any records, slow growth is a good strategy for a Tetramorium colony. I just have one observation. Your queen seems to be much larger than the workers, compared to a recent small colony that I've acquired. I was sure mine were Tetramorium, but when I look at the size difference of yours, I wonder.

This is the first time I've tried this; I've posted a video of my colony on Youtube that I hope you will be able to view here Small Tetramorium colony (youtube.com).

I'm curious what you might think about this video. These ants are from an area north of where I live, in Northern Ontario, Canada. Perhaps this has something to do with the size difference (yours aren't nanitics). I'm curious what viewers might think.
RPT

I'd agree that it's Temnothorax. The shape of the workers with the more round gaster and small size difference of the queen to workers usually indicates Temnothorax.

[rptraut]

Hello Invix;

Of course, what an idiot I am, Temnothorax longispinosis, I even have a colony of them, but I’ve never seen the queen as they are firmly entrenched in a walnut. All I’ve ever seen are foraging workers, and it’s a very small colony. Thanks to both you and AntsCali098 for your help!
RPT

[AntsCali098]

Queen sighting 👀



Colony is doing alright at the moment, I've seen some new eggs so the queen has started to lay again after winter. I rarely see her on the open like this, and luckily caught her moving from the cleaner mini hearth to the original one.

Gone off the social media scene for the past month or two so I'll try to keep everyone updated now.





Thanks for checking out my journal!

[ANTdrew]

Good move. Stay off social media!