10 replies to this topic

[Michaelofvancouver]

Hey, so I'm back in the ant keeping hobby, since I just found a Camponotus queen (probably Camponotus modoc). Now I have heard that these queens don't do very well in test tube setups, and the last time I raised them I put the queen directly into a formicarium.

 

All I have available are test tubes, and I don't have the time or money to buy a new formicarium right now. So do you guys think she'll be OK in a test tube setup?

[Mads]

I have had reasonable luck with Camponotus in test tubes. Last year I did put a bunch of Lasius neonigers in pill vials half filled with damp playsand. This was mainly due to the fact that I had run out of test tubes. The results were quite remarkable, all the queens that survived to lay eggs (26 out of 30 I believe) had probably twice the amount of eggs than the ones I had kept in traditional test tubes the previous years. I have a few queens with 20+ nanitic workers already and lots of eggs and brood development. On average I would say they are growing at twice the rate of queens I have had in test tube setups in the past.

 

I plan on trying this with a few other species this year as well, to see if there is any difference with them as well.

 

Mads

[Michaelofvancouver]

I have had reasonable luck with Camponotus in test tubes. Last year I did put a bunch of Lasius neonigers in pill vials half filled with damp playsand. This was mainly due to the fact that I had run out of test tubes. The results were quite remarkable, all the queens that survived to lay eggs (26 out of 30 I believe) had probably twice the amount of eggs than the ones I had kept in traditional test tubes the previous years. I have a few queens with 20+ nanitic workers already and lots of eggs and brood development. On average I would say they are growing at twice the rate of queens I have had in test tube setups in the past.

 

I plan on trying this with a few other species this year as well, to see if there is any difference with them as well.

 

Mads

Glad to hear that! I have her in a test tube now, she's starting to settle in. Two years ago, I kept most of my Lasius ants in plastic test tubes and one colony in a bottle filled with dirt. The colony kept in dirt grew far faster as well. Maybe the familiar environment makes the ants feel more at ease?

[LC3]

What test tube size are you using? 

 

You can add some substrate but putting it in test tubes like around 15mm isn't very optimal.

[AndersT]

What I've done is I've added a small square piece of paper towel, that wrap around the inside of the tube. They really seem comfortable with this. This does, of course, remove a lot of visibility, but I'd say it's worth it.

[Miles]

I've kept this species more than any other, and I've almost never been successful with them in test tubes. Last year's test group that weren't in test tubes fared much better. I strongly encourage you to choose a different style of founding formicarium for this species.

[Michaelofvancouver]

I've kept this species more than any other, and I've almost never been successful with them in test tubes. Last year's test group that weren't in test tubes fared much better. I strongly encourage you to choose a different style of founding formicarium for this species.

How long does it usually take tarheelants to ship?

 

Also, what are the problems with the setup for Camponotus species? Like do the queens just randomly die? Do they not lay eggs at all?

Edited by Michaelofvancouver, April 9 2016 - 6:31 PM.

[Mdrogun]

I have had a completely different experience with test tubes and Camponotus. All of the Camponotus colonies I have raised were raised in test tubes and they did great. The Camponotus in my area seem to be extremely resilient .I stopped supplying water to my colony for 3 months and only lost a handful of workers. I also don't feed them a regular diet and I supply heat to them randomly. I love that they are this way because when my time gets consumed by something else I don't have to worry about losing them. The only problem I have ever had was when I found a queen with 3 legs and 1 antenna. She lived in a test tube and all I had to do was give her 1 pupa and she did great.

Edited by Mdrogun, April 9 2016 - 6:42 PM.

[Miles]

I have had a completely different experience with test tubes and Camponotus. All of the Camponotus colonies I have raised were raised in test tubes and they did great. The Camponotus in my area seem to be extremely resilient .I stopped supplying water to my colony for 3 months and only lost a handful of workers. I also don't feed them a regular diet and I supply heat to them randomly. I love that they are this way because when my time gets consumed by something else I don't have to worry about losing them. The only problem I have ever had was when I found a queen with 3 legs and 1 antenna. She lived in a test tube and all I had to do was give her 1 pupa and she did great.

What species are you keeping?

[Miles]

 

I've kept this species more than any other, and I've almost never been successful with them in test tubes. Last year's test group that weren't in test tubes fared much better. I strongly encourage you to choose a different style of founding formicarium for this species.

How long does it usually take tarheelants to ship?

 

Also, what are the problems with the setup for Camponotus species? Like do the queens just randomly die? Do they not lay eggs at all?

 

Just for the record, Tar Heel Ants formicaria were not exclusively what I was referring to. As for the shipping time, it depends on what you order. They normally have a stock of their founding formicaria ready for shipping - delivery time will depend on the option chosen and the carrier.

 

The problems are numerous, and documented by more people than just myself. The real problems start when the workers eclose, and the colonies begin to collapse, regardless of food/water availability. The cotton goes bad quickly, and the colonies appear to be sick. There are many things that could be going on, and I haven't gotten to the bottom of it yet but am getting closer. 

Edited by Miles, April 9 2016 - 7:09 PM.

[Mdrogun]

 

I have had a completely different experience with test tubes and Camponotus. All of the Camponotus colonies I have raised were raised in test tubes and they did great. The Camponotus in my area seem to be extremely resilient .I stopped supplying water to my colony for 3 months and only lost a handful of workers. I also don't feed them a regular diet and I supply heat to them randomly. I love that they are this way because when my time gets consumed by something else I don't have to worry about losing them. The only problem I have ever had was when I found a queen with 3 legs and 1 antenna. She lived in a test tube and all I had to do was give her 1 pupa and she did great.

What species are you keeping?

 

Camponotus pennsylvanicus