29 replies to this topic

[100lols]

Stunning! I’m glad the move worked out and the colony is thriving. I would imagine a little sugar fast is probably good for them every now and then as in the wild sugar is not infinite. I’m taking major inspiration from you in attempting to found a few colonies of mexicanus this year.

[Locness]

Love that the queen and brood are sitting at the top, perfect for viewing. Will you keep them heated throughout winter?

[UtahAnts]

I'm planning on it, last year the brood didn't develop very quickly over the winter, but that may have been due to the lower ambient temperature of the room.

[dspdrew]

That's an amazing colony and pictures. I have a pretty big colony that's over eight years old now, so they can be around for a very long time. My colony has died way off and gotten really big again quite a few times over the years. I wish I could get pictures as good as yours, but it's in a dirt nest, so it's hard.

[ben]

Wow awesome pictures! I was just wondering how the project turned out after the transfer. Looks like they’re thriving, you’ve got quite the colony on your hands. Glad to see the base is holding up as well.

I just received my own mexicanus Queen a couple weeks ago and it’s soooo hard to not check on her. She seems to have laid a giant first clutch of eggs, fingers crossed that I can get to your colony’s size!

[antsriondel]

Wow that is colony is huge! It's incredible that you made all of those formicarium's yourself as they are just beautiful. 

[UtahAnts]

October - November 2023 - More Repletes

Updated the original post.

 

They continue to grow at a steady pace. I've been feeding them about 5 crickets a week, any more and they might outgrow the nest. I haven't been giving the colony a huge supply of nectar, but they do get a refill to their THA liquid feeder every week as well. Repletes and various sizes of workers continue to eclose every day. Next update will hopefully include a full 360 degree video. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forgot to include this from a few months ago-

 

https://www.youtube....rts/j6XBi5H9CAg

 

 

Half an hour of the upper portion colony.

 

 

 

 

 

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Care Tip: When this species grows into the full capacity of their formicarium, I've noticed a slowing of growth. An upgraded formicarium may encourage faster growth. As a general rule, whenever repletes cover the ceiling, and pupae cover the floor, it's time for a new formicarium. A couple years ago before this colony here, I had a colony that never outgrew their THA mini hearth. However I believe they were constrained by the nest itself. Had they been given more space the colony could have expanded by creating new repletes. Just be sure to have a nest upgrade on hand, especially for smaller, growing colonies.

 

Conversely, limiting the size of the formicarium may be a valid method to cap population - for example if you want to keep a smaller, manageable colony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ernteameise]

This simply is an amazing colony in a stunning display nest.

 

Good observation on nest size limiting growth- however, from what I have seen from other keepers, this might not apply to all species.

[100lols]

What can I say man! I’m one of your biggest fans haha

Thank you so much for the care tips. Your journal has been such a valuable resource for me. It’s incredible how awesome this forum is & it’s because of people like you [mention]UtahAnts [/mention] !!!

I’m working on a dome nest like yours btw. Finally found an acrylic dome Christmas decoration that will work at the dollar store.

[UtahAnts]

Glad to hear it! I'd love to see some pictures of the process or final product when that formicarium is finished.