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Time to hibernate tetramorium? (Solved)

hibernate ant hibernation hibernation timing ants

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#1 Offline Stubyvast - Posted September 12 2024 - 2:55 PM

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Yesterday I noticed that my colony of tetramorium immigrans, which I received from a friend, where less active, and didn't seem very interested in the protein source I fed them. Normally, they would have swarmed it within minutes.

At first, I sort of attributed this to the colder weather (it had suddenly dropped a few degrees in my area), but then suspected something else: Are these guys ready to hibernate? Already?!

As my friend had forgone hibernating this colony last year, are the ants seeking early hibernation to adjust to this? I am also still a bit of an ant-rookie, with only 2-ish years of experience,  and know very little about hibernating. 

Any advice? Do I hibernate them now?


Edited by Stubyvast, September 13 2024 - 4:24 PM.

Currently raising: 

Myrmica rubra (1 queen +  ~5 workers)

Lasius niger (single queen + ~90+ workers)

Lasius neoniger (3 single queen + brood)

Formica spp. (Queen [likely parasitic, needs brood])

Formica pacifica (Queen)

Also keeping a friend's tetramorium immigrans for the foreseeable future. Thanks CoffeBlock!


#2 Offline ANTdrew - Posted September 12 2024 - 3:00 PM

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Tetramorium do not have an internal clock that signals them to hibernate like some ants do. It must be another factor like a drop in temperature slowing down their metabolism.
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#3 Offline IdioticMouse26 - Posted September 12 2024 - 3:03 PM

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I thought tetramorium don't hibernate?


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#4 Offline ANTdrew - Posted September 12 2024 - 3:39 PM

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They will, but it is not strictly necessary.
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"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#5 Offline AntsGodzilla - Posted September 12 2024 - 4:37 PM

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I thought tetramorium don't hibernate?

Same


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I keep:

Pogonomyrmex Rugosus journal
Myrmecocystus Deplisis journal
Monomorium ergatogyn Journal

And many Carnivorous plants such as:

Dionea (fly trap), Sarracenia x 'Fiona' ( American Pitcher plant), Nepenthese ventrata (Tropical Pitcher plant), and Pinguicula agnata x emarginata (Butterwort) 

 

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores it's provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6: 6-8

I will become the #1 top poster


#6 Offline GOCAMPONOTUS - Posted September 12 2024 - 4:43 PM

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Read the full thread the, explanation has been said.


Currently keeping: 2 C.vicinus colonies.2 C.sansabeanus. 1 C.leavissimus. 2 C.Ca02. 1 V.pergandei. 4 T.immigrans.1 F.pacifica. 1 C.hyatti

1 M.ergatognya

 

 

 

 

Trying to get my hands on :C.modoc,A.vercicolor, and Any Honeypots

  

 

 


#7 Offline AntsGodzilla - Posted September 12 2024 - 5:16 PM

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I know I was just agreeing with him.


  • GOCAMPONOTUS likes this

I keep:

Pogonomyrmex Rugosus journal
Myrmecocystus Deplisis journal
Monomorium ergatogyn Journal

And many Carnivorous plants such as:

Dionea (fly trap), Sarracenia x 'Fiona' ( American Pitcher plant), Nepenthese ventrata (Tropical Pitcher plant), and Pinguicula agnata x emarginata (Butterwort) 

 

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores it's provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6: 6-8

I will become the #1 top poster


#8 Offline GOCAMPONOTUS - Posted September 12 2024 - 5:18 PM

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I know I was just agreeing with him.

Oh ok, hope you didn't take any offense to it. :)


Currently keeping: 2 C.vicinus colonies.2 C.sansabeanus. 1 C.leavissimus. 2 C.Ca02. 1 V.pergandei. 4 T.immigrans.1 F.pacifica. 1 C.hyatti

1 M.ergatognya

 

 

 

 

Trying to get my hands on :C.modoc,A.vercicolor, and Any Honeypots

  

 

 


#9 Offline AntsGodzilla - Posted September 12 2024 - 5:19 PM

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All good (y)


  • GOCAMPONOTUS likes this

I keep:

Pogonomyrmex Rugosus journal
Myrmecocystus Deplisis journal
Monomorium ergatogyn Journal

And many Carnivorous plants such as:

Dionea (fly trap), Sarracenia x 'Fiona' ( American Pitcher plant), Nepenthese ventrata (Tropical Pitcher plant), and Pinguicula agnata x emarginata (Butterwort) 

 

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores it's provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6: 6-8

I will become the #1 top poster


#10 Offline Stubyvast - Posted September 13 2024 - 4:23 PM

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Tetramorium do not have an internal clock that signals them to hibernate like some ants do. It must be another factor like a drop in temperature slowing down their metabolism.

 

Ah okay. Even in Canada? Their natural clock doesn't require hibernation here? In that case it must be temperature levels then as originally expected. That makes sense, as my lasius niger, who I believe do hibernate, haven't even considered it. Thanks everyone! I will put my colony closer to the heater then.


Currently raising: 

Myrmica rubra (1 queen +  ~5 workers)

Lasius niger (single queen + ~90+ workers)

Lasius neoniger (3 single queen + brood)

Formica spp. (Queen [likely parasitic, needs brood])

Formica pacifica (Queen)

Also keeping a friend's tetramorium immigrans for the foreseeable future. Thanks CoffeBlock!


#11 Offline rptraut - Posted September 13 2024 - 6:09 PM

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Hello Stubyvast;

I put my Tetramorium colonies in winter storage (root cellar) with my other colonies, but they don’t really hibernate. They just slow down with the lower temperatures, but they still raise brood and keep a clean nest, very slowly As the temps drop, larvae slow down and grow slower, requiring less protein. Feed them a little less and they’ll be back for more each day.
RPT
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My father always said I had ants in my pants.





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