27 replies to this topic

[JackPearl]

How long dd it take for your queens eggs to become workers? A month? Or two?
Also, did you heat them and feed them a lot?

[swagman]

My understanding is that this species primarily reproduces via gamergates in the wild, so they don't even need to have a queen. With enough gamergate workers, a satellite nest can just keep expanding as though they were the main colony.

All I can say is that my colony of Rhytidoponera metallica and the colony of a friend of mine are both 8 years old by now. It is my oldest colony.

And the queen is still doing well and laying lots of eggs.

My colony is smaller just about 400 to 500 workers but the colony of my friend is at least twice that size.

 

I also had once a small colony without a queen but adding a few males to it to see what will happen.

First nothing happened, than there where eggs and larvae and finely a few workers emerged. But after that small batch of brood nothing more happened and the colony slowly died. But at least it seems possible that workers can mate and reproduce.  

[rdurham02]

Super jelly of this species! You Aussies get some cool stuff.

[Del]

How long dd it take for your queens eggs to become workers? A month? Or two?
Also, did you heat them and feed them a lot?

Honestly, development speed really depends on temperature, feeding and the size of the larva/adult ant. I fed them every couple of days and they 2-3 months to emerge- pupation alone takes at least a couple of weeks. 

[Del]

All new queens from this season bar one have been given away or sold. The original colony is doing great, and must be at around 200+ workers. I moved them into one of my resin nests but I think they are going to need something larger almost immediately

 

 

 

[T.C.]

Looking good. Decent growth

[nurbs]

All new queens from this season bar one have been given away or sold. The original colony is doing great, and must be at around 200+ workers. I moved them into one of my resin nests but I think they are going to need something larger almost immediately

 

 

 

 

 

Very nice Del. Did you construct that resin nest, or is it a commercial product? How is it hydrated? From the bottom?

[Del]

Very nice Del. Did you construct that resin nest, or is it a commercial product? How is it hydrated? From the bottom?

 

Thanks! I made them - http://www.formicult...-formicaria-rd/

Bisque tiles wick up water from a reservoir below

Edited by Del, January 30 2018 - 3:29 PM.