Camponotus Japonicus.

[krautman]

Hi everyone.
             I am having problems with my campo Japonicus, I have noticed the workers are dying. They become very lethargic and look disorientated when they move.  The queen is ok and is laying eggs and she as both larvae and cocoons. There are 4 workers with her all the time inside the nest which is Y-Tong, these seem normal. The problem is they don't venture outside the nest and the workers outside the nest in the arena don't venture into the nest and just sit around the out world and die. The temp in the arena is 25-35 c and the humidity is 50-60%.   
    Can you help.

[philip369]

Just of the bat 35 C is to high especially if they are in a y-tong set up. Drop it to between 27-29 c as soil would drop the temperature down. They may be able to survive that heat for a couple of hours but you will be cooking them at that temperature for long periods of time. It could be mites in which case I would look for any visual signs on the ants like little white or brown spots on the ants or around food that is put in the arena. Putting some lemon juice in the arena in a little bit of tin foil or even a lemon slice (make sure its organic don't want to add to the problem by adding insecticide to the mix ). Other than those to making sure the nest is properly watered with both water in the y-tong and a water test tube. Also I don't know how long you have had them but even in the south east Asia there is a cold season not anything drastic but it would help to have a cooler period once a year where you keep the ants at around 23-25 for a month or two to give the ants a little rest. Usually around December until January or February. And don't forget to turn down heating at night or even off. Hope this helps and that your ants are better soon.

[krautman]

The 35c temperature is in the arena, the nest is a lot cooler. The workers that are dying are in the arena, they act as if they are lost and helpless. If I put in sugar solution and fresh water they drink them but it doesn't seem to improve them. I will bring the temp down in the arena to about 20-25c and try that. Thanks for your reply.

[philip369]

Your welcome I hope they are better soon.

[Wood~Ant]

This species may come from Asia, but remember that China and Japan both experience cold, with snow and even frost. 35 Celsius is far too hot, so it is better to maintain the temperature around 21 to 27 Celsius to avoid cooking your ants.

I have found that ants can become lethargic at high temperatures as well as very low ones, and the heat evidently does not agree with your C. japonicus if they are dying from heat exhaustion.