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Feeding + Boost + Mold


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5 replies to this topic

#1 Offline AntsBrazil - Posted November 18 2016 - 2:45 AM

AntsBrazil

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Hello, my Solenopsis saevissima got her first worker, with at least 3 more coming in the next weeks. But this ones are boosted workers, I probably have to feed them so the queen can keep producing brood, right? Also, in the photo there's a black/brown spot that seems to be mold, should I be worried?

 

This is my first ant to have a worker, that's so cool =D

 

15032789_1596812263677631_40785162696693


Owner of:

 

Atta sexdens

Camponotus rufipes

Camponotus cf. puntulactus

Pachycondyla striata

Solenopsis saevissima

 

 

 


#2 Offline drtrmiller - Posted November 18 2016 - 5:01 AM

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Your cotton appears too wet, overly saturated.

The mold shouldn't be a problem, but I'd learn to compress the cotton properly before inserting it into the test tube so it's not so wet.


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#3 Offline AntsBrazil - Posted November 18 2016 - 2:19 PM

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Thanks, but the main question still not answered. I need to feed them now? I thought that the cotton should be that way so they can drink the water. 


Owner of:

 

Atta sexdens

Camponotus rufipes

Camponotus cf. puntulactus

Pachycondyla striata

Solenopsis saevissima

 

 

 


#4 Offline CallMeCraven - Posted November 18 2016 - 3:00 PM

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I need to feed them now?

You can give them bits of freshly killed bugs such as meal worm sections or cricket legs. The extra protein will help the developing ants grow and also allow for the queen to possible lay more eggs. Honey water can also be good but won't benefit the brood as much as protein. I suggest making small "serving" dishes out of foil or paper to serve the food to the ants. It really helps with cleaning up after they eat :D.


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Current Colony:

 

4x Camponotus (hyatti?)

 

 

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Harmony with land is like harmony with a friend; you cannot cherish his right hand and chop off his left.

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#5 Offline Mdrogun - Posted November 18 2016 - 6:40 PM

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I feed my small colonies like this Drosophila hydei flies. Pretty much any soft bodied insect will do but make sure they're not too large. When the colony gets larger (50+ workers) you can start to feed them pretty much any insect but for now you should stick to something easy for them to eat and carry. I would also make sure you give them some carbohydrates (sugary substances like honey, sugar water, etc.) just make sure the drop is extremely tiny so they can eat all of it otherwise it'll mold. Ants are actually extremely resistant to mold and a tiny dot of mold like that shouldn't affect them at all.


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Currently Keeping:
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Pheidole pilifera

Forelius sp. (Monogynous, bicolored) "Midwestern Forelius"
Crematogaster cerasi

Pheidole bicarinata

Aphaenogaster rudis

Camponotus chromaiodes

Formica sp. (microgena species)

Nylanderia cf. arenivega


#6 Offline AntsBrazil - Posted November 20 2016 - 10:14 AM

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Thanks for the answers. I placed a drop of honey and a spider leg but they don't seem interested.


Owner of:

 

Atta sexdens

Camponotus rufipes

Camponotus cf. puntulactus

Pachycondyla striata

Solenopsis saevissima

 

 

 





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