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Post by occultus on Oct 18, 2015 23:31:42 GMT
Queen Iris has moved into the cork bark chamber, carrying two eggs with her. Queen Hera is still happy sitting inside her small container, she also has two eggs. For some strange reason I was shocked tonight to see how large they looked with their legs stretched out. Stunning ants I must say.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2015 17:50:27 GMT
Stunning ants. + at an excellent price! Having seen this species in the wild it is one I would love to keep myself. I have read many journals from people trying to keep this species and they all seemed to fizzle out in the end. Lets hope you manage to cultivate them successfully.
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Post by occultus on Oct 19, 2015 21:18:37 GMT
Thanks Peter! I will do everything in my power to allow them to thrive. It's a struggle to find any helpful information online. I want to know how long brood development takes from egg to ant. Many scientific documents discuss the ritualistic battles but not a lot else to be honest. It must have been amazing watching this species foraging in the wild. P.S Just realised that you are Peter from www.antsfromasia.com. I'm looking forward to placing an order with you for the graceful Diacamma scalpratum.
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Post by occultus on Oct 22, 2015 9:53:10 GMT
Checked on the Queens progress this morning. Queen Iris has laid around ten eggs in three separate piles. Wish I could take a photo, but can't because the queen is in an awkward angle and condensation is blocking the view. Queen Hera is still standing on the plastic tub and she only has 1 egg.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2015 16:29:06 GMT
Here is a journal from another keeper who succeeded in establishing a young colony from queens - gives you an idea of how long the brood takes to develop! eusozial.de/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=2706
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Post by occultus on Oct 23, 2015 16:52:42 GMT
Here is a journal from another keeper who succeeded in establishing a young colony from queens - gives you an idea of how long the brood takes to develop! eusozial.de/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=2706 Very much appreciated!!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2015 8:35:51 GMT
How are they doing?
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Post by occultus on Nov 8, 2015 23:39:06 GMT
The Queens look to be doing fine. For a sensitive species they don't seem to be very sensitive. The light from my headlamp or the the flash on my camera doesn't bother these girls. The condensation that is blocking up the nesting chamber is slowly starting to clear up. It's worth noting that these queens haven't eaten anything. They only stand in the Founding Chamber. Luckily they are big claustral queens so it shouldn't be a problem.
Here's a small video of Queen Hera. Sorry for the poor quality. You can just about see her head with a small clutch of eggs.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2015 18:39:06 GMT
Good to see they are doing okay. A lot of other hobbyists who have tried to keep them say they are very sensitive and often eat their eggs - but yours seem to be doing well. Lets hope they can establish colonies - if they do and the colonies thrive - you never know in a few years you may be able to get some captive bred alates!!!
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Post by occultus on Nov 9, 2015 18:52:01 GMT
Thanks for the support, I'd be a very happy man if I could breed these beauties! Touch wood everything will continue to develop smoothly. They've been far less challenging than say keeping a stubborn Camponotus ligniperdus Queen
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Post by occultus on Nov 12, 2015 15:23:16 GMT
Queen Iris and her clutch of eggs.
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Post by occultus on Dec 9, 2015 1:15:05 GMT
Day 53I couldn't be any happier with the current rate of development. Queen Hera has 3 large cocoons and a some large larvae. It's seems incredibly fast for such a large ant. I'll try to take some photos or a video when I have time. I'd almost go so far as to say that this was a beginner friendly species..if they weren't so rare and hard to get hold of. Might get the first nanitics just in time for Christmas Turkey
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2015 13:52:26 GMT
Any larvae yet?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2015 13:53:56 GMT
Sorry didn't read your last post - looking good!
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indoant
Honey Pot Ant
Posts: 46
Country: Indonesia
Favourite Ant: Odontoponera transversa
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Post by indoant on Dec 14, 2015 14:02:55 GMT
Those are brilliant! Would be nice to introduce me to your friend I'll be in Malaysia on Sunday.
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