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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 2, 2011 9:49:56 GMT
Please note that this colony has not yet arrived, so I'm preparing this journal in advance. (Introduction)I was originally planning to get a Temnothorax nylanderi colony of a hundred workers, quite cheap too- but it got taken by the time I decided to get it. Other T.nylanderi colonies seemed quite expensive, so I had a look at the other species at Ants-Kalytta, and decided on a Camponotus herculeanus queen with her first workers. I haven't kept Camponotus before, so I think it might be a new learning experience for me. C.herculeanus is considered to be one of Europe's largest ants, with the queens exceeding those of Messor barbarus in size. The species is polymorphic, and possesses a major caste. I have read that this species lives in forests in the wild, so I may design a nice set up for them if they grow out of their test tube- but it won't be for a while, since due to their size, C.herculeanus takes time to reach the adult stage. They will arrive either today or tomorrow, since I ordered them on Wednesday. I've even taped a plastic carrier bag under the letter box, so that they won't have a bad landing if they get unceremoniously shoved through it. If they arrive tomorrow or on Monday though, I'll be at home to keep an eye out for the postman. I hope this colony does well, and I look forward to their arrival. Feel free to post on this journal if you wish.
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Post by Black Ant on Dec 2, 2011 10:11:10 GMT
These look big Carpenter ants, so you may need a lot of space and some old bits of bark or twigs The last video is HD ;D
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 2, 2011 17:22:03 GMT
Thank you for those, Blackant. I felt torn really- I wanted Temnothorax because they're tiny and therefore 'cute', but I also like big species since you can see them quite well, and its easier to see the little details. They have not arrived today, but will probably arrive tomorrow. It's just as well really, the plastic carrier bag I positioned to catch the ants as they enter the letterbox... failed to catch the mail apparently. I still have this evening to further my research. I shall be up early tomorrow, with the hope that the Camponotus arrives.
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Post by batspiderfish on Dec 2, 2011 19:02:22 GMT
Camponotus are really common where I live. In the spring, multiple queens of different species will wander into my room, and it's not uncommon for me to find alates on my clothing as I come inside. They certainly are attractive ants. I believe they (the Camponotus that DO live in wood) are used to nesting, in part, underneath the bark of trees, which ends up being much warmer in the summer than nests that exist in soil. Therefore, colonies might develop slowly at room temperature. My queen C. pennsylvanicus was caught in late July, and still has only 10 small larvae to show today (the area where I lived that summer was rather cool.) Wood is only a potential nesting medium for Camponotus, and so they do not need any when a nest is provided in captivity. Their size can make them somewhat demanding for space and food much later in life (likely making their slow development speed desirable, no?). Next summer, I'll be on the lookout for one of the "mini" Myrmentoma varieties of Camponotus that exist in my area. The queens of C. nearcticus and C. discolor are only about 1cm long.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 2, 2011 19:09:46 GMT
Living up to your usergroup, I see. You must feel fortunate to live in a country with so many interesting species. I would love to visit America for the wildlife. Thank you for the information. I do agree that they look like an excellent ant. Eventually I would give them a set up that has pieces of tree bark and pine needles with loamy soil with a bit of sand as well. Perhaps a heat mat wouldn't go amiss either.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Dec 3, 2011 8:14:35 GMT
Having kept a few different Camponotus, and currently keeping the tropical C. nicobarensis, I find that they like a mixture of 1/3rd fine sand, 1/3rd moss peat and 1/3rd loam or light soil containing compost. As all of this genera have very strong jaws, it is easy for them to dig into any soft medium such as tree bark or cork, or any kind of soft wood; but hard wood I think would need to be very damp and starting to rot to make it soft enough I imagine. These very large ants can certainly take down large prey, and anything too big to drag back into the nest is cut up and dismembered. I do find they can be wary of humans and will run away if disturbed, though this is good as it means you don't get bitten by those very powerful jaws. ;D Like many other Formicines, they are fast and agile and can climb up a smooth glass surface in seconds, so watch out for escaping workers.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 3, 2011 9:59:21 GMT
(Log 1)They have just arrived now. There is a magnificent looking queen, and three very large workers. I can't see the brood, I imagine its hidden near the cotton wool. They have been quite calm, although they don't appear interested in honey. I suppose I could try them on a small insect later. The queen even ventured to the very front, investigating her surroundings suspiciously before turning back. You're right Wood, I certainly don't want to get bitten by this vast lady and her daughters- those jaws look like they can draw blood. Pictures!
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Post by Black Ant on Dec 3, 2011 12:02:03 GMT
Good to see you got them safe and sound, and I hope they do well for you and the colony grows bigger next year
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 3, 2011 21:01:54 GMT
(Log 2)One of the workers appears to be dying- and I haven't actually done anything since checking them this morning. I don't know how that could have happened.The worker seems to be fine now.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 11, 2011 17:22:49 GMT
(Log 3)
Still no sign of eggs or anything, so I'm assuming that these queens cease egg laying during the Winter. One of the workers seems to be dead, but I'm keeping an eye on her just in case.
I have finally managed to get a worker to sip at a tiny drop of honey, which is a good sign. These ants are very inactive at the moment though.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 14, 2011 10:23:06 GMT
(Log 4)The second worker looked dead and was on her back, but suddenly started moving again when I picked her up. If this species doesn't work out for me, I'll stick to my original plan and get a Temnothorax nylanderi colony instead. But in the meantime, I'll hope for the best for Queen Sigma here.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 28, 2011 10:23:05 GMT
(Log 5)I was pleased and surprised today to find three new eggs. As a Lasius and Pheidole keeper, I'm not used to seeing such big eggs- they are long and oval in shape. I'm not sure how long C.herculeanus eggs take to hatch however, although the brood is meant to take quite a long time to reach the adult stage? I'm not sure what has prompted Queen Sigma to suddenly begin egg laying though.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Jan 1, 2012 11:08:30 GMT
(Log 6)I have finally convinced Queen Sigma to take some protein, in the form of a young cricket. I had fed her on some honey (She can't seem to get enough of it and will drain a small drop within minutes), and then put the cricket in. The queen was the first to find it and seemed to be curious, then suddenly snapped at it before backing away. The worker then found it and I was astonished by how fast and fierce this species is- she lunged and nipped at incredible speeds until they decided the cricket wasn't a threat. The queen is currently holding the cricket and chewing away. There are now five eggs.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Jan 2, 2012 10:23:04 GMT
(Log 7)There's now six eggs. At this rate she seems to be laying about one a day. I'm trying to keep the queen as well fed as I can, and she seems to have eaten that baby cricket from yesterday already.
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streule
Callow Ant
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
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Post by streule on Jan 4, 2012 19:20:03 GMT
Its good to see your queen is doing well Why don't you try putting a cricket leg smothered with honey in so her and her workers get protein and sugar at the same time. Apart from that I hope your 'colony' continues to increase in eggs. Best of luck Streule
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