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Post by Wood~Ant on Jan 14, 2014 10:20:47 GMT
I just wondered if any special technique or treatment was involved, but it seems that either the new queen took on the colony scent from the dead queen, or maybe the workers change their scent to match hers. Bees often do this when a new queen is accepted into the nest, but it is rare for ants to do so in many species. Good luck with the new lady and keep posting your nice pics of the queen and colony.
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Post by Joona on Jan 14, 2014 12:51:52 GMT
Gutted to hear about the queen mate, glad Andy got a spare : )
I gotta say I do like that set up, I wish I had some where for it to go in my house!
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Post by adamjames20 on Jan 14, 2014 14:11:44 GMT
Glad you got a new queen mate , and sorry to hear the first one died, I suppose better now then when the colony was more established and riskier to add a new one.
Good luck with the new queen : )
Adam
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Post by deansie on Jan 14, 2014 15:22:25 GMT
I just wondered if any special technique or treatment was involved, but it seems that either the new queen took on the colony scent from the dead queen, or maybe the workers change their scent to match hers. Bees often do this when a new queen is accepted into the nest, but it is rare for ants to do so in many species. Good luck with the new lady and keep posting your nice pics of the queen and colony. It is interesting that they accepted the queen, I only done so as was told this would be ok-no special technique as such from myself lol. Had it been an established colony I am sure it wouldn't be as simple or even advisable. I'll keep up the pics, I can see so many large pupa in my Acromyrmex that I am anticipating a good jump in numbers soon so already thinking of how to expand them.
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Post by deansie on Jan 14, 2014 15:27:42 GMT
Gutted to hear about the queen mate, glad Andy got a spare : ) I gotta say I do like that set up, I wish I had some where for it to go in my house! Hi Mark, yeh was a real shame about that queen, after all the travelling she had survived as well. The set up isn't that big and is easy to maintain but its really just a grow on tank till the colony's are stable-well that's how I am looking at it. Might keep one Acro queen in there. I've a 55G discus tank in my living room that I'd like to convert but not sure the wife would like that too much lol
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Post by deansie on Jan 14, 2014 15:30:38 GMT
Glad you got a new queen mate , and sorry to hear the first one died, I suppose better now then when the colony was more established and riskier to add a new one. Good luck with the new queen : ) Adam Cheers Adam, would definitely feel worse had it been an established queen that died, not sure if replacing a queen in an established one can be done? Jamie
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Post by adamjames20 on Jan 14, 2014 18:23:26 GMT
Apparently yes from what I have read and when talking to Andrew you can replace a old colony with a new queen should the old one die. Its tricky and you have to make sure to only let in the small workers for a time. I'm assuming like bees this gives the queen a chance to spread her scent onto the colony.
Adam
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Post by deansie on Jan 16, 2014 15:50:27 GMT
Amazing difference in 3 days
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Post by Joona on Jan 16, 2014 18:58:49 GMT
They certainly do work fast! Hope you took some pics of the queen lol.
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Post by deansie on Jan 24, 2014 19:36:38 GMT
loving the grapes lol I've found there are more ants of various sizes out with these compared to my acromyrmex, though I guess this could just be because there not yet established. do not recall seeing minim's of acromyrmex out.
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Post by deansie on Mar 25, 2014 9:47:32 GMT
Hey Everyone, Thought I'd post a quick update on the Atta. Over the last 5 days there have been no foragers to the feeding table at any time of day or night, there has been little to no activity at the entrance to their burrow. The activity there has been has been what I looks like a few ants having fits? almost like they have lost their coordination to walk? they then die. Before they stopped feeding I had gave them a rose that was in a bunch my wife received. I had washed it thoroughly but I'm wondering if they have been poisoned? I gave the across the same and they seem ok and are still feeding.
I've dug at there burrow twice now with a spoon and there was certainly a good bit of activity and even 2 soilders which is the first I've seen, they then mended the hole in there burrow. the first time the fungus looked healthy with fresh leaf substrate added to the top. The second time was this morning and I managed to see the queen-plenty of activity but the fungus was completely white so no new substrate has been added.
If the foragers had been to the feeding table but not took anything that would be ok, but the fact there not out at all is a concern. Where out everyday since I got them now been 5 days.
Jamie
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Post by Wood~Ant on Mar 25, 2014 10:07:44 GMT
I am thinking perhaps the shop bought rose may have been treated with fungicide and pesticide, as if you didn't pick a flower from your garden that you know hasn't been sprayed with any chemicals, flowers from shops grown in a greenhouse or even outside may well have been treated by spraying. Roses are often treated with a systemic fungicide and/or pesticide when grown for sale.
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Post by deansie on Mar 25, 2014 15:26:08 GMT
I am thinking perhaps the shop bought rose may have been treated with fungicide and pesticide, as if you didn't pick a flower from your garden that you know hasn't been sprayed with any chemicals, flowers from shops grown in a greenhouse or even outside may well have been treated by spraying. Roses are often treated with a systemic fungicide and/or pesticide when grown for sale. There's a good chance this has been the case wood-ant, I've been talking to Adam about it and may need to do something if things don't pick up. Perhaps source some healthy fungus and relocate colony. They have just cut a few leaves today which is the first in 5 days so fingers crossed.
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Post by adamjames20 on Mar 25, 2014 15:45:09 GMT
If there cutting that's a good sign all is ok, sometimes small colonies do go a few days without cutting and perhaps the odd one or two can go up to a week. Good luck mate , hope they pull through. I never give cut flowers and wouldn't advise it. I try to grow my plants on a few months first if I do buy from a garden centre to allow any chemicals to fade.
Adam
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Post by deansie on Mar 25, 2014 20:46:46 GMT
If there cutting that's a good sign all is ok, sometimes small colonies do go a few days without cutting and perhaps the odd one or two can go up to a week. Good luck mate , hope they pull through. I never give cut flowers and wouldn't advise it. I try to grow my plants on a few months first if I do buy from a garden centre to allow any chemicals to fade. Adam Cheers Adam, I've only done it when I've been struggling with what to give them as there a little fussy sometimes as you know, I've got away with it up till now-lesson learned. Shouldn't have same problem next year as I'll have a good stash saved for winter.
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