82 replies to this topic

[Jonathan21700]

Nice photos!

[Diffeomorphismus]

Hello,

 

today just a few pictures of my Diacamma rugosum. This very nice Ponerinae are very active. Because I won't be able to explain it better on my own English words, I will quote Wikipedia:

 

 

 

A queen caste does not exist in Diacamma. Unique to this genus, all workers emerge from cocoons with a pair of tiny innervated thoracic appendages ("gemmae") that are homologous with wings. Mutilation leads to a permanent change in lifetime trajectory, because workers lacking gemmae never mate. This is unlike other queenless ants where workers establish a dominance hierarchy to regulate reproduction. In Diacamma only one worker retains her gemmae in each colony, she is the gamergate (mated egglaying worker), and she bites off the gemmae of newly emerged workers. Mutilation causes the degeneration of the neuronal connections between the sensory hairs on the gemma's surface and the central nervous system, and this may explain the irreversibility of modifications in individual behaviour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

Diffeomorphismus

Edited by Diffeomorphismus, February 12 2015 - 11:13 AM.

[dspdrew]

Awesome pictures as always!

[dean_k]

I've been interested in Diacamma species for their big size and relatively small mature colony size (200ish). They also have very good eye sight and hunt alone for insects.

 

Their cocoon is also black as far as I know and a worker will always carry it around her all the time. Overall, Diacamma is very interesting species. Too bad that I can't get my hands on them.

[Michaelofvancouver]

Wow, your photos are amazing! What camera do you use? 

[Diffeomorphismus]

I use a Sony DSC-HX400V with a Raynox DCR-250 Macro Attachment.

Edited by Diffeomorphismus, February 13 2015 - 12:08 AM.

[Diffeomorphismus]

Hello my dear ant-keepers all around the world!

 

After a long time here are some new pictures of some of my ants. I will start with an amazing Australian lady, a queen of Myrmecia pavida:

 

She ist so big, nearly 3 cm:

 

And here are some pictures of a small colony of Camponotus fallax. These ants live on trees. So I choosed a nest made of cork:

 

 

 

With best regards,

Diffeomorphismus

 

 

 

 

[dspdrew]

Very nice pictures.

[Jonathan21700]

Great!

[dermy]

Cool Pictures!

[Diffeomorphismus]

Hello, here are some more pictures of my Diacamma colony.

 

Because it seems to be a warmer place than their nest in the ground the Diacamma sometimes store their larvae and puppae on a bromeliad. It's always a very good chance for me to make some nice pictures of these absolutely fascinating ants:

 

 

 

 

 

With best regards,

Diffeomorphismus

[dspdrew]

Nice pictures as always.

[Jonathan21700]

Did you find a single Camponotus fallax queen?

[Diffeomorphismus]

No. I got a colony with 12 workers. 

[AntTeen804]

I have a couple of Camponotus fallax queens.

[Jonathan21700]

"I have a couple of Camponotus fallax queens."          

I thought they aren't present in the USA.

 

Thanks! Great pictures BTW!

Edited by Jonathan21700, May 24 2015 - 9:30 AM.

[Miles]

"I have a couple of Camponotus fallax queens."          

I thought they aren't present in the USA.

 

Thanks! Great pictures BTW!

This person is in Germany.

[Jonathan21700]

I have a couple of Camponotus fallax queens.

I mean him.

Edited by Jonathan21700, May 24 2015 - 9:46 AM.

[Miles]

Oh, sorry, I missed that post! 

[AntTeen804]

"I have a couple of Camponotus fallax queens."          
I thought they aren't present in the USA.
 
Thanks! Great pictures BTW!

They are the same as Camponotus Nearticus