Post by Joona on Dec 8, 2013 11:03:30 GMT
Hey all, after the loss of my scabs I thought I'd give you a happy update on the Atta's, I'm pleased to say all is well. The ants continued to build the fungus to the extent it fell over now its growing out wards and upwards very fast!
The number of larvae and pupae has increased so much that its now visible on the sides of the fungus, lots of it! I still don't have a soldier yet though (my first one will be called Adam the soldier in honour of Adam James who has helped me so much since I have been keeping them) I'm sure it will not be long before they arrive though.
Its quite amazing watching the fungus grow and the way it takes shape to the sphere. When it reached the top it started to round off, now its completely round apart from the bottom which is just now dead.
They seem to enjoy Oak leaves quite a lot but haven't really been interested in anything else, every time I put apple in there they bury it in dirt or just leave it and the same goes for orange peel and sugar puffs. I am working through a rotation of oak, willow, rose, privet, bramble and sprouts. They will take oats and rabbit pellets but only a few before they decide there too much trouble. I also have some sunflower seeds to try.
The biggest shock came today when I took yesterday's sprouts out, I had been noticing they were blocking the tubes coming from the leaf container with dirt and removing it from the sphere next to the fungus garden, I did my usual weekly inspection and saw a few ants carrying fungus. This is nothing unusual as they dump the dead stuff constantly, but there were around 10 medias pulling it apart and placing it in the second sphere then the dead stuff would get dumped and a bit more would be brought out. Maybe the second garden is in its way?
Fingers crossed it is a second garden, I'll keep you updated.
Mark
The number of larvae and pupae has increased so much that its now visible on the sides of the fungus, lots of it! I still don't have a soldier yet though (my first one will be called Adam the soldier in honour of Adam James who has helped me so much since I have been keeping them) I'm sure it will not be long before they arrive though.
Its quite amazing watching the fungus grow and the way it takes shape to the sphere. When it reached the top it started to round off, now its completely round apart from the bottom which is just now dead.
They seem to enjoy Oak leaves quite a lot but haven't really been interested in anything else, every time I put apple in there they bury it in dirt or just leave it and the same goes for orange peel and sugar puffs. I am working through a rotation of oak, willow, rose, privet, bramble and sprouts. They will take oats and rabbit pellets but only a few before they decide there too much trouble. I also have some sunflower seeds to try.
The biggest shock came today when I took yesterday's sprouts out, I had been noticing they were blocking the tubes coming from the leaf container with dirt and removing it from the sphere next to the fungus garden, I did my usual weekly inspection and saw a few ants carrying fungus. This is nothing unusual as they dump the dead stuff constantly, but there were around 10 medias pulling it apart and placing it in the second sphere then the dead stuff would get dumped and a bit more would be brought out. Maybe the second garden is in its way?
Fingers crossed it is a second garden, I'll keep you updated.
Mark