6 replies to this topic

[Hiromilovesmealworms]

Hi guys, it is diapause season here in the states, and I would appreciate advice regarding my young (8 worker) colony of C. ocreatus. I caught the queen in July, in the White Mountains of

 

Arizona.  I know that December is a bit late, but I was waiting for the final pupae to eclose before starting diapause. The question is: based on the locale and species, should I just keep

 

them at room temp (around 70 F) without heat, or should they be even colder? If the latter, I am thinking about placing them in  a ventilated box and burying it in the soil in the yard, where it

 

is in the 56-70 F range, which is significantly colder. 

 

 

Happy Anting!

[An-Ant]

Before diapause, you should check if the colony is still accepting food and if they queen is still laying eggs. Some colonies Camponotus ocreatus do not need to or will not diapause. 

If you do plan to diapause them, I would recommend going slightly below room temp. However, I'm not sure if burying them underground is a good idea. 

 

Good luck!

[rptraut]

Hello Hiromilovesmealworms;

 

I envy the warm temperatures you have in winter, but I also know it's probably colder in the mountains where you found your ants.   The best advice I can offer you is to try and duplicate the weather conditions (temperature) of that area.   I keep my ants in a root cellar for winter, which is basically like burying them because it's seven feet deep in the ground.    If burying them is the coolest place you can find, I'd say go for it.   However, consider keeping them in a place where it's easier to keep track of them.    A cool basement floor, a refrigerator or wine cooler are winter storage options you might consider.    If your ants need a winter rest, they'll slow down and cluster together.     I know that the Camponotus ants in my area will do this and take a winter rest, even if kept at room temperature.

RPT

[jo16]

I am not hibernating my Camponotus Ocreatus colony this winter because they only have a few workers but I plan to hibernate them next winter, I don't know if this is a good idea but I guess I'll find out.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I couldn't rely get a clear answer on whether or not I should hibernate them because there is so much controversy and that you will probably have to just make your own decision.

I know that this is not that helpful but I'm just giving you my opinion. 

 

[Hiromilovesmealworms]

I have decided to keep them off heat, but at room temperature, and resume heating come spring. Thank you all for the tips! 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Anting!

[rptraut]

Hello Hiromilovesmealworms;

 

I think that's a wise course of action.    Your colony will be able to continue or slow down at their own pace.    Here, in Canada, Camponotus are hard wired for diapause and will take a winter rest, even in a hollow door at room temperature as I've written about in my Journal here    RPT's Journal - Ant Keeping Journals - Ants & Myrmecology Forum    titled the Camponotus Colony That Should Never Have Existed, I hope you enjoy reading it.   

RPT

[Hongxi]

Hello Hiromilovesmealworms;

 

I think that's a wise course of action.    Your colony will be able to continue or slow down at their own pace.    Here, in Canada, Camponotus are hard wired for diapause and will take a winter rest, even in a hollow door at room temperature as I've written about in my Journal here    RPT's Journal - Ant Keeping Journals - Ants & Myrmecology Forum    titled the Camponotus Colony That Should Never Have Existed, I hope you enjoy reading it.   

RPT

Has anyone kept Camponotus japonicus from Asia during winter? Does it also have the habit of hibernating during winter? I have a small ant colony with 8 worker ants and about 10 young larvae. Although it’s winter, the indoor temperature is maintained at 26°C due to heating, but their larvae remain pale yellow in color and show no growth in size. However, a friend of mine who keeps Camponotus japonicus seems to have them in pretty good condition recently, and they have produced many eggs. ——AI-assisted translation