|
|
Post by adamjames20 on Dec 2, 2012 12:34:07 GMT
Hi Guys , after the sad disappointment of losing my termite colony I decided to purchase another colony of fungus growers , this time a ant species. My new young colony of Atta Cephalotes arrived on Friday , the colony contains one large queen, several hundred workers, two soldiers and a nice healthy fungus garden  The colony have settled in well and have already started cutting leaves and adding them to the garden. I kept this species many years ago and it grew rather large. Here's a few pics and a video of my set up.  My set up , plaster lined acrylic spheres, The plaster absorbs any moisture avoiding puddles.  Queen excluder , stops the queen from wondering into other gardens. A advantage when carrying out population control.   Arrival of my colony, I was rather excited by this point , Atta have been one of my favorite ant species.  The colony settled in well and started leaf cutting after a few hours   The large queens are always impressive , at 3cm long there are stocky little things. ;D will update again soon guys regards Adam |
|
|
|
Post by fleck on Dec 2, 2012 13:08:07 GMT
brilliant! The queen is amazing! Will be closely following the progress of the journal/colony.
Growing a colony of leaf-cutter from a single queen is one of my long-term ant keeper goals. Long-term because I don't exactly encourage buying ants online, and there aren't any sort of leaf-cutter in Malaysia.
|
|
|
|
Post by adamjames20 on Dec 2, 2012 15:11:48 GMT
Hello Fleck cheers mate , I look forward to seeing them turn into a great colony Regards Adam |
|
|
|
Post by Zarbi on Dec 2, 2012 16:29:47 GMT
Love the video Adam. Does the queen move around much or is she always so passive?  |
|
|
|
Post by Wood~Ant on Dec 2, 2012 16:56:11 GMT
Lovely colony and the video shows they are healthy and active. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get this colony from Adam?
|
|
|
|
Post by adamjames20 on Dec 2, 2012 20:41:08 GMT
Hello Zarbi and Wood ant, The queen is usually quite docile but during the first day of settling in she stayed rather still. The queen now slowly moves around the fungus garden interacting with the workers and I have noticed her laying eggs  Hello Wood ant yes of course I'm sure my Friend will not mind me giving his web address out it has his contact details on. Here's the website, he is based in the UK and collects leaf cutting ants regularly as well as a few other species www.leafcuttingant.com/Regards Adam |
|
Phasmid
Nurse Ant 
Posts: 92
Likes: 2
|
Post by Phasmid on Dec 2, 2012 22:47:47 GMT
I hope you have good luck with these. Seeing them makes me want to try again with them , but I think I would have get rid of my Acros first though. |
|
|
|
Post by adamjames20 on Dec 3, 2012 7:03:11 GMT
Hey Phasmid , Atta area great species to keep, Your Acros look great mr , hope my Attas get as large as your colony has Regards Adam |
|
|
|
Post by Wood~Ant on Dec 3, 2012 9:04:37 GMT
Thanks for the link Adam. You were lucky to get a colony sent out at this time of the year, as many ant sellers won't post tropical ant species at all during winter owing to low temperatures, and also that the ants may be held up in transit due to the extra amount of Xmas stuff in post office depots. |
|
|
|
Post by adamjames20 on Dec 3, 2012 18:11:19 GMT
Hello Wood Ant , yes I was a little worried because of the temperture drop last week , but the ants were supplied with heatpacks and sent by recorded guaranted next day delivery so no worries on being held up. Adam |
|
|
|
Post by adamjames20 on Dec 10, 2012 14:27:08 GMT
Well guys the colony have settled down well, The queen is moving about allot more now and I have seen many eggs being taken away from her into the fungus garden. I also spotted several small clumps of small larva at the weekend so that was great to see. The fungus garden has increased slightly in size and the colony is taking leaves well. So far they seem pretty stuck on privet but have took willow and rose. They have also enjoyed a sliced apple I placed in for them and a steady stream of workers was seen traveling to and from it. Here's few pictures and another video.   Due to mold on the plaster, I had to remove it from the acrylic spheres, the condensation hasn't been a issue and in fact many of the workers have been seen licking it up of the inner walls of the chamber. Regards Adam |
|
|
|
Post by Jenny on Dec 10, 2012 15:45:56 GMT
A brilliant video Adam  I enjoyed every minute. Those iphones are great at videoing |
|
|
|
Post by adamjames20 on Dec 10, 2012 17:41:17 GMT
Hello Jen , thank you ever so much for the feedback. The iphones do indeed have a great camera. I have a macro lens which magnets onto the camera which adds a closure view . ;D
Regards
Adam
|
|
|
|
Post by Wood~Ant on Dec 10, 2012 17:44:58 GMT
The photos are good, but the HD video is like watching a BBC nature film. I like this journal so much I am placing you in one of our special groups Adam. |
|
|
|
Post by adamjames20 on Dec 10, 2012 17:55:54 GMT
Hello Woodant , o wow thank you so much , I'm glad you all liked the videos, I shall of course add more as the colony grows and they should get allot more interesting and I hopefully I will be able to get better close ups as the fungus garden and queen near the edge of the acrylic spheres. Regards Adam |
|
