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Ultra's Parasitic Lasius (L. cf Claviger/Umbratus) journal [6/25/17 -> 5/09/18, ENDED]

parasitic lasius parasitic lasius lasius claviger claviger

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#1 Offline ultraex2 - Posted June 26 2017 - 7:02 AM

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This is a journal to track my Lasius cf. Claviger/Umbratus (for sure some type of parasitic Lasius, at least) from some queens that were caught back in August of last year.  I managed to get several small containers of Lasius Neoniger brood + workers and introduced them to these parasitic queens back toward the end of April.
 
It's been a couple months since I had originally introduced them (put queen into small container with them for a few days in the fridge and took them back out).  I noticed that some of the ants were carrying around small larvae when I disturbed them so apparently it worked!
 
I couldn't get a good picture of the queen, but here are some pictures of the colony:
 
[Images lost when Photobucket stopped hosting]


Edited by ultraex2, May 9 2018 - 9:36 AM.

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#2 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted June 26 2017 - 7:30 AM

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People used to think that raising these queens were impossible. :D


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If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

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Black lives still matter.


#3 Offline ultraex2 - Posted June 26 2017 - 7:40 AM

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Yeah - it just takes patience and a bit of luck.  I'm thinking that it took about 4-6 weeks after being successfully introduced before it started laying eggs and it's been 2-3 weeks for the first small larvae too hatch.  



#4 Offline sgheaton - Posted June 26 2017 - 7:50 AM

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....I read this wrong and saw "ULTRA PARASITIC LASIUS" and I was all, "Woah now, hold up. Claustral, semi-claustral, and parasitic. Now an ultra parasitic?!?! What the heck are these going to be all about?!?" Then I realized I just read your name as part of the ant species and was bummed... 


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#5 Offline Serafine - Posted June 26 2017 - 9:36 AM

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There's actually hyperparastic Lasius, like Lasius fuliginosus. It parasites on Lasius umbratus which is a parasite of Lasius niger.


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We should respect all forms of consciousness. The body is just a vessel, a mere hull.

Welcome to Lazy Tube - My Camponotus Journal


#6 Offline Canadian anter - Posted June 26 2017 - 12:18 PM

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I would have lost the race if I didn't take them out in November :sigh:
Visit us at www.canada-ant-colony.com !

#7 Offline ultraex2 - Posted July 5 2017 - 6:45 AM

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Update 7/5/17:

 

Tons and tons of larvae, I estimate around 70 at this point.  They have been eating mealworms and crickets for protein and honey for sugar.

 

6lg4p84.jpg

 

w9bOu4k.jpg

 

WxUG8Lq.jpg


Edited by ultraex2, July 5 2017 - 6:46 AM.


#8 Offline ultraex2 - Posted July 18 2017 - 10:14 AM

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7/18/17:

Small update, nothing really happening... The brood is slowly developing, but no pupae yet. I did manage to get a decent picture of the queen, though!

y1pvhwp.jpg

Edited by ultraex2, July 18 2017 - 10:14 AM.

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#9 Offline VoidElecent - Posted July 18 2017 - 10:54 AM

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I think this is Lasius umbratus, which is known to be considerably more cooperative in captivity. Their workers, like these, are also generally darker in coloration.



#10 Offline ultraex2 - Posted July 18 2017 - 1:06 PM

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I could definitely see it being that - do Umbratus fly in August?

Edited by ultraex2, July 18 2017 - 1:07 PM.


#11 Offline VoidElecent - Posted July 18 2017 - 1:41 PM

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I could definitely see it being that - do Umbratus fly in August?

 

I believe so!



#12 Offline Nathant2131 - Posted July 18 2017 - 1:45 PM

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It does look like L. umbratus.



#13 Offline Batspiderfish - Posted July 18 2017 - 3:21 PM

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The clubbing on the antennae looks like Lasius claviger to me. Also, Lasius umbratus workers are yellow, easily distinguishable from the brown queen.


If you've enjoyed using my expertise and identifications, please do not create undue ecological risk by releasing your ants. The environment which we keep our pet insects is alien and oftentimes unsanitary, so ensure that wild populations stay safe by giving your ants the best care you can manage for the rest of their lives, as we must do with any other pet.

 

Exotic ants are for those who think that vibrant diversity is something you need to pay money to see. It is illegal to transport live ants across state lines.

 

----

Black lives still matter.


#14 Offline VoidElecent - Posted July 18 2017 - 5:14 PM

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The clubbing on the antennae looks like Lasius claviger to me. Also, Lasius umbratus workers are yellow, easily distinguishable from the brown queen.

 

L. claviger queens always seemed red to me; I also thought they had noticeable yellow workers similar to L. flavus. 


Edited by VoidElecent, July 18 2017 - 5:16 PM.


#15 Offline ultraex2 - Posted August 15 2017 - 1:19 PM

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Update 8/15/2017:

 

Still not too much going on... I added on another test tube as their old test tube was starting to run low, and there are now 2 separate brood piles.  Still larvae, no pupae yet... I'm starting to wonder if they need it a lot cooler than most ants, as my condo stays between 78 - 80 degrees most of the time.  Great for Camponotus and Tetramorium, but not so great for other species.

 

At this point I'm starting to just hope that the larvae will eclose before hibernation...

 

w6UxTDg.jpg


Edited by ultraex2, August 15 2017 - 1:23 PM.


#16 Offline Jonathan21700 - Posted August 15 2017 - 1:30 PM

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It looks like they will hibernate at this size but who knows.



#17 Offline ultraex2 - Posted August 15 2017 - 1:31 PM

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It looks like they will hibernate at this size but who knows.

Yeah that's kind of what I'm thinking - kinda sucks but at least they got started in the first place.  The queen did lay another batch of eggs a couple weeks ago and those have turned into larvae.



#18 Offline MegaMyrmex - Posted September 9 2017 - 6:18 AM

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Update?

Proverbs 6:6-8 New International Version (NIV)

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

 


#19 Offline ultraex2 - Posted September 11 2017 - 6:23 AM

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Update?

 

I can post one tonight - nothing has really changed though, unfortunately.

 

I've been thinking about adding a foraging area to see if that may help them develop.



#20 Offline ultraex2 - Posted September 12 2017 - 7:27 AM

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Update 9/12/17:

 

Nothing too much, the brood has been nicely piled and the larvae may have grown a tad?  I also connected their test tube pup to an outworld so hopefully that may help.  I will post the outworld/test tube set-up tonight or tomorrow.

 

med_gallery_1449_979_372732.jpg


Edited by ultraex2, September 12 2017 - 7:27 AM.

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