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Post by Kyle on Dec 7, 2008 23:34:02 GMT
OK, I've had my queen for about 5 weeks (Antstore gave me a new one). Well, things have gone OK so far but, I can't see into the chamber and I'm not 100% sure if she is still alive. I've still been putting small leaves in, but no chunks missing. I am thinking about slightly digging up the chamber, just to see but at the same time, I do not want to in case she is still alive What does anyone suggest? Antstore say egg-worker at 28oC is approx 3-4 weeks. Thanks
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Post by Wood~Ant on Dec 8, 2008 9:22:03 GMT
Hi Kyle, When any young queen ant of whatever species makes her brood chamber to found her first nest/colony, they often vanish from sight. I have a Pogonomyrmex barbatus queen who has done this, but she is still alive so far, as she pops out for the odd time onto the surface. I would be inclined not to panic and disturb your Acro queen, as she is probably settled down somewhere warm and quiet laying eggs Just continue to provide a few leaves for her fungus to grow on, and the warmth and humidity needed. The fact that many of us do not see ant queens rushing about like busy workers can make us panic, and we believe the queen may be dead when in actual fact they are perfectly fine. If you don't see any new workers foraging after say 7 weeks, then I would worry about what has happened; but for now I'd leave well alone and trust to luck Many animals go deep in the ground and vanish, such as many British ones do during winter when they hibernate; but it doesn't mean that they're dead. Queen ants when first founding a new colony like peace and quiet, and by going down deep underground they avoid many predators. As we cannot watch our ants 24hrs a day, so we cannot be sure what is going on with them; and she may be out foraging when you are not watching or even when you're asleep. Keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best, as you may be pleasantly surprised later if you suddenly find lots of new worker ants chewing off bits of leaf, or may yet see your queen foraging at some point. Keep the faith and live in hope that all will be well with her
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Post by Kyle on Dec 8, 2008 16:28:47 GMT
yep ok I will wait till after newyear anyway which should give them more time. that is true and thanks for that. and I hope for her sake (and mine) that she is still alive. Thanks
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Post by Zarbi on Dec 13, 2008 19:53:51 GMT
Hope this new queen survives and does well for you Kyle
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2008 14:02:39 GMT
I would leave her till around Spring time to check, as her brood won't grow much threw the cold Winter- unless you have heating supplied of course!
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Post by Kyle on Dec 15, 2008 22:39:14 GMT
yes I am still keeping the tank at 26oC and keeping the humidity at about 70-80%. so if she is still alive I hope she does well thanks
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Post by Kyle on Dec 17, 2008 23:11:04 GMT
OK, this is annoying; but I've got good news and bad news. Good news is the queen has laid eggs and they are now workers. 3 of them in fact, still cutting leaves and so on. Bad news is the queen is in 2 bits she was dragged out by the workers whether she fell apart or the most likely the workers cut her up to get her out . but either way she is dead. but I'm going to clean every thing out, redo the soil and I will try once more, just this time buy a bigger nest with workers I hope it works?
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Post by Wood~Ant on Dec 18, 2008 9:06:34 GMT
Sorry to hear that Kyle, but Ade of Antsectopia says he will not sell his Acro queens until they have some workers. So perhaps you should wait for his to found a small colony before buying again? Ants can cost the buyer a lot of money, and it works out expensive if they die off too quickly. So it often pays not to buy a very large colony; but I do understand your reasons for wanting a more established colony rather than a single queen or one with just 2 or 3 workers Play safe and get your set up clean before putting another colony into it, and hopefully you may have better luck next time
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Post by Kyle on Dec 18, 2008 22:29:07 GMT
well I've found someone who is selling a nest of about 100+ workers and fungus the size of a golf ball, but yes it costs a bit; but at least that way I know it will survive (or higher chance) so it should all go well, and to make sure I'll pick it up lol Thanks
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Post by Wood~Ant on Dec 19, 2008 11:25:48 GMT
Ask the person you're buying them from for advice on how he or she keeps these Leaf Cutter Ants, as if this colony has 100+ workers, then the keeper will know what are the best optimum conditions for them. Evidently they are doing well with them, or the colony would not have grown to a reasonable size
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Post by Kyle on Dec 19, 2008 15:54:03 GMT
I've been talking to him for the last few days on advice and he has even given a good list of what they eat some things I would not of thought of lol I'll post it here if thats ok? Thanks
Raspberry Leaves*, Lentils, Coconut Black Cherries*, Barley, Oats Kibbled Maize*, Tea Bags (used), Raw Rice Orange Rind*, Fresh Peas, Cooked Rice Raisins, Split Peas, Raw Macaroni Sultanas*, Cooked Corn, Dog Meal White Grapes, Various Cereals, Rabbit Pellets Black Grapes, Rice Crispies, Carlans Rose Leaves, Sugar Puffs, Ivy Leaves Rose Petals*,Holly Leaves,Oak Mixed Flowers, Lemon peel Cooked Ham* Split, Yellow Peas Cooked Chicken*, Fruit cake Shelled Sunflower , Sponge Cake Cabbage, Glace Cherries Brussels Sprouts Rhododendron Leaves Privet Leaves
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Post by Wood~Ant on Dec 19, 2008 16:03:38 GMT
By all means, do post anything you wish to help other members with here Kyle. I have to put on my staff hat here mate. Could I ask you please to either use the spell checker or watch out for typing errors, as you're making quite a few mistakes which require editing
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Post by Nattybob on Dec 20, 2008 15:52:31 GMT
You want to be VERY careful with grapes, they're a natural insecticide and every time I've fed them to my ants, its killed the colony... although, if they're only eating the fungus that grows on them, I do not know if they'll be as detrimental... Nathan
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Post by Kyle on Dec 20, 2008 23:17:29 GMT
You want to be VERY careful with grapes, they're a natural insecticide and every time I've fed them to my ants, its killed the colony... are you sure they didn't have anything on them in the first place because I've given my M.rubra grapes before and they've been fine but I may not give them grapes if there is even the slightest chance of them being killed Thanks for that Wood: sorry I forgot about that I will remember next time.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Dec 21, 2008 11:11:17 GMT
I do know that Nimbus, a member here who kept Atta cephalotes (Leaf Cutter Ant species) used to feed grapes to his ant colony; and as far as I know they did no harm, as they used the pulp and skin of the grape for their fungus. See pictures here} www.anthillwood.co.uk/leafcutterants.htmBut, and this is a big BUT; I would not recommend grapes as being good food for ants in general. Many fruits are highly acidic, and some of these acids may contain certain toxins harmful to insects if used in large doses. I always say that any ant keeper should err on the side of caution and play safe, as it's better to be safe than sorry and find you've accidentally poisoned your ants with something unsuitable food wise Who knows exactly what Leaf Cutter ants use in the wild to grow their fungus on; but as their name suggests, give them leaves of many different plants and let them choose what they decide to be the best compost for their fungus Small amounts of fruit should be fine for most ants. Just don't overuse it, as it may grow harmful bacteria, mould or other fungi which may kill either your ants, or even destroy the existing fungus garden which the ants rely on for food.
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