4 replies to this topic

[Bracchymyrmex]

MILTA, Voidelecent, and I caught about 4-6 queens wandering about last Sunday during the annual NJ Ant Together. I figured I'd make a journal for the two queens I kept as Trachymyrmex septentrionalis is quite possibly my favorite species.

 

June 24th 2018

 

Here are a couple shots of one of the queens, I will be "fungus boosting" both queens with some fungus I collected from a nearby colony.

 

 

 

June 28th 2018

 

I made two plaster formicaria for these queens and included a weigh boat for them to hang their fungus from and a tube for easy hydration. I taped the lid to ensure the humidity levels would remain constant and I plan on inserting food by removing the cork. These nests were relatively easy to make and seem to be holding 100% hydration, which really surprised me, given that the nests we pour of this type in my lab are not always reliable when it comes to humidity.

 

 

 

Edited by Bracchymyrmex, June 29 2018 - 10:55 AM.

[CatsnAnts]

Wow! I’m sooooooo jealous! I’ve always wanted a fungus grower! Can’t wait for the next update!

[MegaMyrmex]

AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!!!! What type of environment did you find it in? Looking for this species for years now, all to no avail....Good luck!

[Bracchymyrmex]

AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!!!! What type of environment did you find it in? Looking for this species for years now, all to no avail....Good luck!

 

Thanks! It was quite dry and sandy. There were also a ton of Pheidole around. 

[MegaMyrmex]

Dry, sandy. Gotcha. I'll check all the creek and river beds in the woods, never seen one done here, and pheidole are also quite difficult to find here too, but hopefully I'll find one! Definitely following this topic!