3 replies to this topic

[CoolColJ]

I put down two pieces of raw macadamia outside a Pheidole nest, and the next thing I know, the Pheidole took over one piece.

While the Tetramorium bicarinatum the other, and fights erupted.

And then a single Pheidole major came out and smashed faces!

 

This Pheidole species is one of the largest ones around here. Major is around 6mm

 

 

 

 

[LC3]

Which colony prevailed over the macadamia nuts?

 

Now I'm curious how this species fairs whilst competing with other ant species and other Pheidole.

[CoolColJ]

Which colony prevailed over the macadamia nuts?

 

Now I'm curious how this species fairs whilst competing with other ant species and other Pheidole.

 

 I didn't stick around to the end to see what happened, but the size of the nut portions means it should be around till tomorrow, so I'll check again.

But it is raining now...

 

The Tetramorium bicarinatum appear to be also fighting some black ants on the left side as well, probably some Iridomyrmex ants.

Everyone wants a piece of that macadamia

 

I have another vid that I haven't uploaded yet, but the Tetramorium bicarinatum appears to have a sting, and a Pheidole minor worker

and Tetramorium bicarinatum were in a death embrace, with the Tetramorium bicarinatum worker embedding it's sting into the underside of the Pheidole's head.

They were together for over 20 secs, and yet the Pheidole survived...

 

I have seen some larger trap jaw ants here just grab some smaller species red Pheidole majors in their jaws and run back to their nest.

So I assume they would do the same for these, but the greater size of these majors could make a difference.

 

In the past these red headed Pheidole major colonies were more on the docile side though.

This is the first colony I have seen that has been this aggressive.

I poked this species before and some majors have played dead

 

And the smaller red Pheidole have seen to be more aggressive and besting these larger Pheidole by using their smaller size and greater agility to gang up on these large majors.

I remember putting some nuts like this in front of one such colony's nets entrance, and the smaller red Pheidole from 2 feet away came, and secured the nuts right in front of the nest.

There were some dead majors around the area as well.

But that was against a smaller colony.

 

So it does vary from colony to colony

Edited by CoolColJ, May 9 2018 - 9:07 PM.

[CoolColJ]

I went back today, after the rain, and the Phediole is nowhere to be seen....

 

The nuts are still there but covered in Tetramorium bicarinatum ants!

 

The Pheidole nest appears to be blocked and 1-2 Tetramorium bicarinatum ants at the entrance