buzz
Nurse Ant 
Posts: 111
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Post by buzz on Jul 15, 2010 11:08:38 GMT
OK, my colonly of Acromyrmex cf. crassispinus have been in their basin for 4 days now.
I have not seen many of the ants after they all settled, but I did see the queen actively looking for a burrow.
In the time they have been in their new home they have not cut any leaves and now it appears they have dismantled the original fungus ball and moved it to the midden where it is unkept and un-shaped!!
Anyone with prior knowledge of these ants know if I should be looking at getting replacement fungus garden or what?
In the original hole where the garden was initially put there are a few scraps left but nothing much
Cheers
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Post by Kyle on Jul 15, 2010 12:31:45 GMT
As long as there are a few workers tending to the fungus then it should be ok, but as for the queen looking for a new nest site, I'm not sure, but I'm sorry to say but that's not normally a good thing, was she alone or with workers?
Have you tried giving them rose leaf or petal, as they can be a bit picky in the beginning.
If there is such little fungus left, then it wouldn't be a bad idea, cause even if they do recover before it arrives they can still use it.
hope this helps
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Post by Jenny on Jul 15, 2010 13:47:08 GMT
Have you got the warmth and humidity right, as I have read they need perfect conditions for the fungus to survive well  |
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buzz
Nurse Ant
Posts: 111
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Post by buzz on Jul 15, 2010 23:43:26 GMT
I have moved the basin to have a closer look and there is some fungus left with workers tending it, but its a about 25% of the original stuff!
Sorry, the queen was looking around after I tipped them all into the new basin, not seen her since day 1!
Will go collecting a variety of greens and see what they take, although none of them have ventured beyond the main basin since they settled there.
Will get some rose, bramble and tree leaves for a variety when I walk my incredibly stupid springer LOL
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buzz
Nurse Ant
Posts: 111
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Post by buzz on Jul 16, 2010 11:19:34 GMT
Tank is at 25°C and a humidity of about 80% I put some rose leaves in today - WOW - they came from all over to grab them, so I guess they are just fussy LOL They are cutting them up and taking them inside, so hopefully thats a good sign! Thanks for the replies  |
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Post by Wood~Ant on Jul 16, 2010 14:12:37 GMT
From what I have seen and read, most leaf cutter species like flower petals as well as leaves for growing their fungus on, so maybe you should try a few larger flowers |
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buzz
Nurse Ant
Posts: 111
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Post by buzz on Jul 16, 2010 21:54:17 GMT
OK, thanks  Anyone have any ideas if there should be a diurnal temp change in the basin/tank to simulate cooling of temp at night? Looked around for this but not found any information  |
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Post by Wood~Ant on Jul 17, 2010 9:12:16 GMT
Most tropical countries have fairly warm and humid nights, but can get cool at times (monsoon season or whatever) so it doesn't hurt to let the temperature drop a bit; but I wouldn't let it get lower than say 18 Celsius (67 Fahrenheit) and never lower than this during our winter of course. Kyle is our resident expert on keeping Acromyrmex here in Britain, so he will have a better idea as he's had his colony for ages now |
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buzz
Nurse Ant
Posts: 111
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Post by buzz on Jul 17, 2010 16:14:38 GMT
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buzz
Nurse Ant
Posts: 111
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Post by buzz on Jul 21, 2010 17:23:53 GMT
Can someone lock this topic please - it was just pure panic LOL  |
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Post by Wood~Ant on Jul 21, 2010 20:55:43 GMT
Can someone lock this topic please - it was just pure panic LOL Done and duly filed away in the dusty old locked cabinet  |
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