7 replies to this topic

[ClaytonBaby]

June.29.2023 - Outside of my apartment I noticed a small cluster of ants wondering about, as I got closer, I realized they where all queens! Not only where they queens they where a Pogonomyrmex Sp. I had personally not yet seen. I rushed inside and collected up all 10 queens into giant tube set up I had ready for the Pogonomyrmex Californicus Bi - Color flight that was soon to come and set them off to the side.




Aug.13.2023 - By this time I was very excited to see the first minim of the young colony emerge into the bottom half of the THA XXL Mini Hearth to explore. At this point I’m not sure how many queens have survived founding, if any a at all.



Sep.15.2023 - In regards to identification, as of today, with the help of some very knowledgeable group members we have settled on Pogonomyrmex Subnitidus. A beautiful sight in the THA XXL Mini Hearth today, all 10 P. Subnitidus queens in all their glory along with their young colony. With the move finished I disconnected the founding tube and am now enjoying the show! It’s crazy to see how active these queens are compared to my Rugosus. They often can be seen running back and forth inside the THA Mini Hearth with their gastor raised high examining things and taking bits of food back to the brood much like workers would.








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[ClaytonBaby]

Sep.20.23 - Yesterday was moving day for my 5Q Messor Pergandei colony, and in a small tube that was connected to their THA nest, there was a bunch of offspring getting ready to finish off their metamorphosis. I took a couple as snacks for the different Pogonomyrmex colonies, threw them in the target tubes/nests, and left them alone. The queens and workers of each colony, so far, have all reacted by taking them into their brood piles. I personally think they are waiting for them to cook alittle longer before spreading the meal out! LOL. If you look to the left of the pile you can see one of the new guests/snacks.



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Edited by ClaytonBaby, September 21 2023 - 8:11 AM.

[ClaytonBaby]

Sep.26.23 - These girls LOVE protein… When compared to my other harvesters who will stuff the nest up with seeds until they almost have no space to breathe, they actually seem to hate seeds. LOL It’s a real treat being able to look over and see the queens doing all the work. Love how aggressive these girls are!




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[100lols]

I have a subnitidus colony and they love protein as well! I even give them fish food as an extra protein source.

[ClaytonBaby]

I’ll have to try that out one of these days! Would be nice if I could use that as a emergency protein source if anything ever happens to my feeder insects.


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[100lols]

You could even try buying some frozen blood worms and see if your colonies will accept that as an addition food source as well.

[Full_Frontal_Yeti]

My Pogonomyrmex Occidentalis will go nuts for these things that are no work on my end and keep for ages.

 

the dried chicken hearts also does dried chicken livers which are just as popular.

 

And on fish flakes, be sure to read the ingredients. Like people food it's listed in order of amounts, and a lot of fish flakes are far more flour and fillers than they are dried and pressed shrimps/actual food.
I got the brand i did as the actual food stuffs vs. fillers/preservatives was the best i could find (with as much effort as i was willing to put in).

My ants go nuts for these things.

 

I do still give them a real insect once in while, like a waxworm or something. But they mostly get these dried forms of protiens here with me and seem to be doing well on them.

The other big bennie is, no trash waste from any of it, it's 100% food to them.

Edited by Full_Frontal_Yeti, September 27 2023 - 8:53 AM.

[ClaytonBaby]

My Pogonomyrmex Occidentalis will go nuts for these things that are no work on my end and keep for ages.



the dried chicken hearts also does dried chicken livers which are just as popular.

And on fish flakes, be sure to read the ingredients. Like people food it's listed in order of amounts, and a lot of fish flakes are far more flour and fillers than they are dried and pressed shrimps/actual food.
I got the brand i did as the actual food stuffs vs. fillers/preservatives was the best i could find (with as much effort as i was willing to put in).
My ants go nuts for these things.

I do still give them a real insect once in while, like a waxworm or something. But they mostly get these dried forms of protiens here with me and seem to be doing well on them.
The other big bennie is, no trash waste from any of it, it's 100% food to them.

Ouuu I’m gonna be throwing a lovely food mix together for these girls!


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