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Post by maxbaker on Nov 20, 2014 14:15:22 GMT
Hi people, So I have decided to keep a journal of my new Messor Barbarus colony, mainly for myself as a future reference, but if it provides a small amount of pleasure to anyone else then that's an added bonus. My nest is a hybrid of a Ytong Nest from Antkit.uk and a foraging area From Antstore.net. The Ytong nest has been recently purchased, it was one of the only nests that my partner actually liked the look of, this makes my life much easier The Queen with a small amount of brood, around 20 or so, was ordered from queenantshop.co.uk. The queen looked very healthy, and all the workers were buzzing around The queen and her brood.
Here is my set up.
Stand I knocked up at work, Wanted the nest to be semi-vertical.
Another Pic of the set-up
The first moments upon release . They all rushed outside the tube, even the queen !
They were very interested in this corner !
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Post by maxbaker on Nov 20, 2014 14:17:54 GMT
So I popped home on lunch to check on things, they're still living in the test tube. Dropped a few seeds in as I saw that they had cleared out the rubbish from the test tube and the remaining seeds were few in numbers ! The ytong is moist, not drenched and in darkness, in time I am sure they will find it and make the move
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Post by TenebrousNova on Nov 20, 2014 14:29:41 GMT
Looking good, Max. I see that they've been carrying larvae outside the test tube, in my experience this means they are looking for a better nest site. It won't be long until they find the ytong.
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Post by maxbaker on Nov 20, 2014 15:14:49 GMT
That's a good sign then They've slowed down a bit I am assuming they need a bit of a rest from all the wild running around Will they need any protein jelly or honey water ? I am going to order some frozen fly's for the odd treat.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Nov 20, 2014 15:17:23 GMT
I've never actually seen Messors taking honey or honey water before. They will do fine on plain water, small seeds and dead insects, frozen flies should be ideal.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Nov 20, 2014 16:16:55 GMT
Both of my 2 colonies love frozen crickets just partially defrosted, but flies are a better option for a small colony to begin with. Nice journal Max.
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Deleted
Hibernating
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2014 17:12:01 GMT
Very nice Max. I hope the colony flourishes
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Post by maxbaker on Nov 21, 2014 7:52:52 GMT
Thanks folks I shall be ordering some frozen crickets today. Bloke at work who keeps frogs mentioned that pin head crickets are very small and may be suitable ? Anyone know of these species ? *UPDATE* The queen is now in the nest along with 99% of the brood, some of the workers are still in the test tube aimlessly pondering around haha All seems well, conditions are spot on.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Nov 21, 2014 8:00:31 GMT
Pinhead crickets are very tiny, a bit too small for ant food. I give mine either frozen small to medium sized brown or silent crickets, as both are swarmed upon and eaten, often with the workers attacking before the crickets have had a chance to thaw out fully. Buy them live and kill them fast in the freezer, as the crickets just fall asleep and die which is about the only humane way to kill them.
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Post by maxbaker on Nov 21, 2014 8:42:01 GMT
That's what I was thinking. I did see some for sale already frozen but I would rather do it myself. Full ceremonial rights will be given I will go for the small ones then, once they're all used up the colony should be larger and I will get the medium Do you just place one in a cup of luke warm water ?
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Post by Wood~Ant on Nov 21, 2014 9:14:06 GMT
I will go for the small ones then, once they're all used up the colony should be larger and I will get the medium Do you just place one in a cup of luke warm water ? I just allow them to defrost at room temperature, but you can pop them into a bowl of warm water to speed up the process. Don't worry if the crickets are wet when you feed them, as my ants love to lick the droplets of water off the dead body as they drag it into the nest.
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Post by maxbaker on Nov 21, 2014 11:06:14 GMT
Thanks for the info mate. I shall do as you do, easier to pass the blame then I'm thinking of getting red film to cover the Ytong nest or maybe some red acrylic sheet. So I can see them without having to disturb them
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Post by Phasenp on Nov 21, 2014 14:14:12 GMT
Hi! Good luck with your colony! I was just about to ask about red sheet of plexi for the nest until I saw your last post. This could surely make them consider the ytong to be a bit safer when leaving the test tube uncovered! I always use this and remove whenever I want to take pictures etc as for viewing it's ok, but not so much for pictures..
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Post by maxbaker on Nov 25, 2014 9:09:48 GMT
*UPDATE* The colony have moved into the Ytong nest now , its covered with some nice thick red film I had from some previous farms. They're out foraging and have taken all the seeds I have given so far. Waiting on my crickets to arrive so I can give them a bit of a treat
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northernilliniants
Ant Egg
Posts: 1
Country: U.S.
Favourite Ant: Camponotus Pennsylvanicus
Likes: 1
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Post by northernilliniants on Nov 25, 2014 16:03:56 GMT
Love this species of ant! I wish we could have them in the US!
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