Something Amazing.

[Honeydewman]

I have kept the Lasius Niger for many years and yesterday something truly amazing happened that has never happened to me before in all my years of keeping Ants.
Whilst tending my colony I had a flight of new Queens and Males leave my colony yesterday afternoon. The numbers were staggering and the flight lasted for over an hour as one after the other new Queens left for their flight.
I was that mesmerized that I forgot to get my video camera.
I even found out something that I had never seen before, the new Queens fed on the honey I had left before they flew. I had thought that they would just fly off but it seemed like they all were topping up before lift off. Probably because I fed them so well the new Queens looked huge and strong in comparison to other Alates from other nearby nests.
So yesterday I put back what I had collected over the many years. I can only explain the feeling as if a beloved pet you have does something unexpected and truly amazing, I was totally becalmed.
I will keep an eye out for any other flights and will capture on video if I am lucky enough.
My new Queens are out there somewhere beginning their own colonies and maybe a member of the forum was lucky enough to capture one....who knows?

[Asiletto]

You are a good animal keeper if your animals reproduce. Congratulations!

[Jenny]

Wonderful! Yours must be the best "Pub" in town, and they know it  But don't forget the video next time Lee

[Wood~Ant]

You must have the golden touch at ant keeping Lee. Try out some other ants, as with luck like yours you could maybe even get good results with many other species.

[TenebrousNova]

Feeding those queens could be the difference between life and death for them during their very hazardous flight. The extra energy could be just what they need! I think I'll do this when the colony in my garden sends the alates out.

[Deleted]

Nice work! That's my main goal in ant keeping, it's just hard because of the amount of space needed! What set up do you currently have them in Honeydewman?

[Wood~Ant]

Jul 13, 2014 13:19:46 GMT @mako said:

Nice work! That's my main goal in ant keeping, it's just hard because of the amount of space needed! What set up do you currently have them in Honeydewman?

I was going to post a link to a video of the set up, but Honeydewman has deleted all his previous photos and videos.

[shane]

If he used imageshack, It will delete photos after a few years. I'll never post pictures on there again to upload too.

[Jenny]

Lee uses photobucket

[Honeydewman]

@ Mako: Sorry for not getting back to answer your question. My set up is shown on YouTube.



I have a four foot fish tank set on a purpose built structure that allows me to have a water barrier between my colony and those in surrounding areas.

I do have more Alates as I saw some under the wood. I only hope that when they fly I am around to video, my camcorder is in my shed next to the colony.

@ Wood: I had similar success with the Myrmica Rubra before the bad weather flooded my colonies after a canopy failure.
The Niger success has been 35 years in the making....lol.