209 replies to this topic

[FeedTheAnts]

A worker eclosed in the Camponotus chromaiodes colony that is much larger than the others. I don't think it came from one of the cocoons that I suspect belong to a major, though. I think it could just be that this is a more full sized worker as opposed to the other nanitics. One thing I find interesting about this colony is the variety of colors among the workers. This new, large worker has a lot of red on her but some of the other workers are all black. 

 

I found a Dobsonfly on my front porch this morning that would have been fed to the Abdo-Lemons had it not been that they weren't foraging. Usually there are at least thirty ants foraging but it looks like they aren't in the mood today. I ended up feeding it to the Valentines instead, who obviously loved it. 

 

No more deaths with the Camponotus castaneus in the past few days. The queen has been laying a lot of eggs so maybe they'll start doing good.

[CoolColJ]

All black Camponotus workers are usually nanitics, they lack the colour of the regular workers.

noticed that with my Melophorus as well.

 

edit - orange eggs, that's unusual

Edited by CoolColJ, June 10 2018 - 3:42 PM.

[FeedTheAnts]

All black Camponotus workers are usually nanitics, they lack the colour of the regular workers.

noticed that with my Melophorus as well.

 

edit - orange eggs, that's unusual

Ya, it's something with Camponotus castaneus. I'm not sure if they are always orange, but they have always been that way for me. I guess C. castaneus just has to be be orange with everything.

 

Edit: Other species of Camponotus have orange eggs as well occasionally, not just C. castaneus. I've heard it might just be due to the food you feed the queen. 

Edited by TennesseeAnts, June 10 2018 - 4:41 PM.

[FeedTheAnts]

Yes! AntsCanada is going to be replacing my nest! Just thought I'd let you guys know.

 

Edit: Sweet! They are sending me one of the yellow 8 by 8 inch formicariums!!! What great costumer service.

Edited by TennesseeAnts, June 12 2018 - 11:39 AM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Are there any Solenopsis invicta in Tennessee?

[FeedTheAnts]

Are there any Solenopsis invicta in Tennessee?

Well, ya. I mostly see Solenopsis richteri though. Still not sure what the whole deal is with the difference between the two species.

[FeedTheAnts]

Just some pics of the Camponotus chromaiodes colony. I'm loving these new, larger more colorful workers.

Btw, I would be happy if anyone wanted to give me some name suggestions for the colony. I like my colonies having names but currently only two of them do.

Edited by TennesseeAnts, June 14 2018 - 4:02 PM.

[TennesseeAnts]

Are there any Solenopsis invicta in Tennessee?

Well, ya. I mostly see Solenopsis richteri though. Still not sure what the whole deal is with the difference between the two species.

Thanks! Any Pheidole?

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, June 14 2018 - 6:37 PM.

[FeedTheAnts]

I guess it is about time I post a picture of my Winter Ants. I haven't posted one since I caught my three queens. They have a worker now and a good pile of brood. It seems that the one queen is always filled with red honey, while the other two are less gluttonous.

 

[FeedTheAnts]

The Abdo-Lemons really wanted honey today

Edited by TennesseeAnts, June 17 2018 - 9:15 AM.

[CoolColJ]

Fat ants, those winter ants. Polygynous?

Reminds me of Lasius niger queens

Edited by CoolColJ, June 17 2018 - 4:13 PM.

[FeedTheAnts]

Fat ants, those winter ants. Polygynous?

Reminds me of Lasius niger queens

They have turned out to work very well for me in a polygynous setup. I think most people who catch these queens split them into some polygynous test tubes and some single queen test tubes. I only caught three and kinda had my heart set on a polygynous colony so I put them all together.  

[TennesseeAnts]

How many workers do the Abdo-lemons have?

[FeedTheAnts]

How many workers do the Abdo-lemons have?

I'd say anywhere between 650 and 800. It's just an estimate though, as they are in a terrarium.

[FeedTheAnts]

Sad news, this is what I found when I checked on the Winter Ants today.

Spoiler

It's the first time a tube has ever flooded for me.

[FeedTheAnts]

Just some pics of the Valentine's massive brood pile.

 

Edited by TennesseeAnts, June 19 2018 - 4:29 PM.

[CoolColJ]

My dual cotton chamber test tube setup could have saved your winter ants - RIP

[CoolColJ]

Do you sitll have your Winter ants?

 

Ants can live up to 24 hours under water, they just go dormant, so a simple test tube flood should not kill them.

Placing them on tissue paper in a container etc, and they may revive after 5 or more mins

[FeedTheAnts]

Do you sitll have your Winter ants?

 

Ants can live up to 24 hours under water, they just go dormant, so a simple test tube flood should not kill them.

Placing them on tissue paper in a container etc, and they may revive after 5 or more mins

They were definitely dead. Their gasters were even super distended looking and for whatever reason the tube smelt like death.

[TennesseeAnts]

How many workers do the Abdo-lemons have?

I'd say anywhere between 650 and 800. It's just an estimate though, as they are in a terrarium.

Wow! That is around how large my Pacific Empire is! (They have about 600 workers). Also, how common are F. pallidefulva in Tennessee?

Edited by Ant_Dude2908, June 20 2018 - 3:29 PM.