Post by TenebrousNova on Aug 19, 2021 2:24:18 GMT
When I ordered my Camponotus singularis, I also decided to get a colony of this elusive, but fascinating species. Carebara castanea is known as the subterranean ant in Thailand and their enormous queens are considered a delicacy. Like most Carebara, they are difficult to get to found a colony in captivity and little information is available on their care. Consequently, I am aware that I'm taking a risk in attempting to keep this species. But if I can keep Carebara diversa alive, I think I'm up for this challenge.
The most striking thing about Carebara castanea other than their bright, fiery orange colour, is the incredible size difference between the tiny workers and their queen, who measures 2cm long. They are monomorphic and thus have no major caste. These ants are shy and prefer to do much of their foraging underground, although they will sometimes venture to the surface in search of food.
I was fortunate enough to be able to order a queen with her first nanitics- there are at least 150 of them since these queens produce such a big brood! Hopefully this will increase my chance of success. They were packaged in a large test tube with some damp moss at the back. The queen was placed in the tube and a wedge of cardboard used to make a rudimentary "chamber" for her. This is because C. castanea queens are so big and heavy that apparently they can actually crush their workers to death if they're jostled around during transit! This way she is safely secured and the workers are tiny enough to be able to squeeze through the cardboard and reach her.
I decided to keep these ants in a naturalistic set up since I hear that they do poorly in artificial nests. I decided to use a Rotho container, which I've found to be a great brand for keeping critters in. Small air holes were drilled in the lid and fine mesh was taped over them, since the workers would otherwise be able to get out very easily. The substrate is a mixture of coconut fibre, loam and sand, with a thin layer of leaf litter on top and some live moss.
Here's the rather surprised queen with a few eggs stuck to her back after being placed in her new home. Look closely and you'll see a few of her miniscule daughters on the moss!
They have a sizeable brood pile containing all stages. Like Carebara diversa, the workers will ride on the back of the queen while they clean and protect her.
Following advice I read, I used my finger to make a deep hole in the substrate in one of the corners, then gently picked up the queen and placed her inside. I covered the hole with a piece of bark and eventually the workers moved the brood into the new "royal chamber" and sealed the entrance properly.
Earlier today I offered them a very small dead cricket and they responded by burying it under a thin layer of substrate. Carebara tends to bury their food in order to eat it in safety, so I think they are actually interested.
I hope they do well! As usual, feel free to comment.
The most striking thing about Carebara castanea other than their bright, fiery orange colour, is the incredible size difference between the tiny workers and their queen, who measures 2cm long. They are monomorphic and thus have no major caste. These ants are shy and prefer to do much of their foraging underground, although they will sometimes venture to the surface in search of food.
I was fortunate enough to be able to order a queen with her first nanitics- there are at least 150 of them since these queens produce such a big brood! Hopefully this will increase my chance of success. They were packaged in a large test tube with some damp moss at the back. The queen was placed in the tube and a wedge of cardboard used to make a rudimentary "chamber" for her. This is because C. castanea queens are so big and heavy that apparently they can actually crush their workers to death if they're jostled around during transit! This way she is safely secured and the workers are tiny enough to be able to squeeze through the cardboard and reach her.
I decided to keep these ants in a naturalistic set up since I hear that they do poorly in artificial nests. I decided to use a Rotho container, which I've found to be a great brand for keeping critters in. Small air holes were drilled in the lid and fine mesh was taped over them, since the workers would otherwise be able to get out very easily. The substrate is a mixture of coconut fibre, loam and sand, with a thin layer of leaf litter on top and some live moss.
Here's the rather surprised queen with a few eggs stuck to her back after being placed in her new home. Look closely and you'll see a few of her miniscule daughters on the moss!
They have a sizeable brood pile containing all stages. Like Carebara diversa, the workers will ride on the back of the queen while they clean and protect her.
Following advice I read, I used my finger to make a deep hole in the substrate in one of the corners, then gently picked up the queen and placed her inside. I covered the hole with a piece of bark and eventually the workers moved the brood into the new "royal chamber" and sealed the entrance properly.
Earlier today I offered them a very small dead cricket and they responded by burying it under a thin layer of substrate. Carebara tends to bury their food in order to eat it in safety, so I think they are actually interested.
I hope they do well! As usual, feel free to comment.
