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Post by TenebrousNova on Aug 8, 2017 20:53:18 GMT
I decided to try my hand at keeping an Asian ant species once again. I have seen Meranoplus occasionally on sale before and loved their appearance. These small ants are covered in a very thick layer of hair that gives them an almost furry appearance. They are supposed to be calm and slow but will employ a chemical defence if they feel threatened. Here's what the species I've ordered looks like. Notice their unusual scaly looking exoskeletons and the dense hair? Here's another good photo I found. You can see the spines on their thorax. I've ordered a colony containing a queen and 30-40 workers from Ant Dealer this evening. I very much look forward to their arrival! Update: the species I purchased would appear to be Meranoplus bicolor instead.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Aug 8, 2017 21:37:33 GMT
Here's a nice video of Meranoplus foraging for food.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Aug 8, 2017 22:04:24 GMT
This will be an interesting journal I will follow, as this species hasn't been kept by other members to my knowledge!
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Post by jeoff82 on Aug 9, 2017 6:44:33 GMT
What set up will you keep them in? Do they need extra heat?
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Post by TenebrousNova on Aug 9, 2017 13:41:47 GMT
Apparently they'll do just fine at room temperature. I'll keep them in a test tube at first as I do with all my ants, then more permanent accommodation. If I go with a soil nest, I'll probably use sphagnum moss to help keep the humidity up.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Aug 11, 2017 14:15:35 GMT
As you have got your Camponotus colony, are you still waiting for the Meranoplus to arrive? I assumed they would have arrived with the others if ordered from the same seller?
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Post by TenebrousNova on Aug 11, 2017 14:57:05 GMT
I ordered the Meranoplus about one day after the Camponotus. I'm hoping they'll arrive tomorrow. It was my mistake. I had a choice between the two species and figured I'd order the cheaper and more familiar one...it was only later that I went "sod it" and ordered the Meranoplus as well, or I would've ordered them at the same time.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Aug 12, 2017 7:13:48 GMT
I ordered the Meranoplus about one day after the Camponotus. I'm hoping they'll arrive tomorrow. It was my mistake. I had a choice between the two species and figured I'd order the cheaper and more familiar one...it was only later that I went "sod it" and ordered the Meranoplus as well, or I would've ordered them at the same time. It would have saved you a few quid on the postage, as they would have been sent in the same parcel. I hope they turn up today as I know how exciting it can be waiting for a new ant species that you've never kept before.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Aug 12, 2017 13:41:22 GMT
Looks like they're not coming today, but Monday. Ah well, I can wait.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Aug 15, 2017 9:33:14 GMT
The post has just been and the colony still isn't here. It's been six days now...I hope they survive the journey, assuming they turn up.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Aug 15, 2017 9:56:27 GMT
The post has just been and the colony still isn't here. It's been six days now...I hope they survive the journey, assuming they turn up. If they don't arrive tomorrow, email the seller and tell him, as they should not take longer than 7 days.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Aug 16, 2017 11:03:21 GMT
They're here at last!!! This is a nice sized colony. I'd say there's about 40 workers, plus the queen, a ball of eggs and several big larvae. Their test tube arrived open and taped to the inside of a plastic tub, which they were wandering around in (Including the queen, who looked lost). I decided to shoo them inside and it was very easy. This species now competes with Temnothorax nylanderi for the most docile ant I've ever kept...give them a gentle nudge and they won't even care. I'm afraid I could only get one decent photo of the queen, because although just as fearless as her workers she is usually hidden behind them. She is just as hairy as her daughters! They are so hairy that you can see it with the naked eye, it almost looks like a whitish glowing outline on the ants when seen from a distance. I wanted to get a photo of their eggs but my camera kept focusing on the hair instead of what's behind it! And here's a few workers taking a well deserved drink of honey after their long journey. First impressions of this colony: very interesting to look at, docile and adorable. I'll try feeding them a bit later.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Aug 16, 2017 13:45:47 GMT
They look red on the seller's site, but are they all red or bi-coloured?
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Post by TenebrousNova on Aug 16, 2017 14:29:01 GMT
As in, does the species have differing colour morphs like Messor barbarus and Pheidole pallidula? I'm not sure. Meranoplus bicolor seems to have similar colouration in this photo: Anyways, I have new photos of this colony! I was finally able to get one of the egg pile. I wonder if any of them were laid in transit? Her majesty, the queen of the fuzzballs allowed me to take a few photos of her. I tried the Meranoplus on a few fruit flies. These ants are very slow and deliberate. When a worker found a fly, she cautiously inspected it before wandering off to lay a scent trail. The other workers came over to investigate at a casual walk. Here's one of them dragging a fly away. One of the fruit flies wasn't quite dead and feebly kicked out at them. In response, a worker arched her gaster and pressed the tip against it. Formic acid? Watching these girls is very interesting so far.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Aug 16, 2017 18:50:07 GMT
I wonder if he has sold bicolor instead as the photos of your colony is not like this} This pic above is Meranoplus cf. laeviventris.
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