Shane's Camponotus sericeus, Comments

[shane]

Any comments can be posted here.

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[Wood~Ant]

Approximately how big is the queen and workers of this species?

[shane]

Queens almost same size as a Messor barbarous queen she is bigger then what people say on sites around 14 or 16mm    

Workers about same size as a minor messor worker ant. 

Another note is that they like it warm as in warm around 28 to 30c its only then they become active workers as I keep them on top of my lizards

tank where it hot and there is a cool zone in tank and a warm zone so if its to warm they can move to a cooler spot, But they seem to like the hot zone

better where its around 28c.

[occultus]

Finally I can say congratulations on getting a colony of these beauties!
I hope they do well for you. Hopefully we can help each other out in regards to their care.

I had no idea that they liked it around 28-30 Celsius. My colony is rather shy and sensitive to vibration.

I'm looking forward to reading more.

[shane]

Yeah they like it warm and damp but not to damp.

they seem to like foraging in day too and as for vibrations, Mine are not to bad as my dog runs in and out of room like a tank when shes on

her happy hour all over house playing. 

they like maple syrup too

[Wood~Ant]

Those latest photos of this colony are truly beautiful Shane. You've caught the colour of the ants perfectly.

[shane]

Mar 2, 2016 7:49:38 GMT Wood~Ant said:

Those latest photos of this colony are truly beautiful Shane. You've caught the colour of the ants perfectly.

Thanks wood.

Works heads almost remind me of a Formica lemani heads.

they seem to have the same sneaky ness as Lemani apart from been active in day then night.

I have a feeling this colony could be trouble with escapees once it has numbers and your trying to clean them out as they fast to take cover

if something upsets them 

[Wood~Ant]

These are such a nice looking species I am glad to see they are doing well, and hope you get a big colony.

[Zarbi]

It must be exciting keeping a larger and more exotic species than your Messor Shane? I love the way these ants shine like polished brass. 

[shane]

They remind me of gold leaf on there gasters then brass in bright light. And thanks Woody

PS: I also think this colony will "not" get even close to colony size like my Messor's are as there "Camponotus".

I think there max size of colony may just get over 500 once they get going but no where close to 1000+ like Messor's get too.

[Welsh Ant]

I see you are still taking some great photos Shane, so please keep posting them on this ant forum as I don't visit any others mate. 

[shane]

Mar 25, 2016 14:26:53 GMT Welsh Ant said:

I see you are still taking some great photos Shane, so please keep posting them on this ant forum as I don't visit any others mate. 

Thanks, I will keep posting photo's. Just right now I may have gave them a damp nest they refuse to move in unlike other ant's as they seem to like it dry.

 So I may have to remove nest and give them a dry one but I don't know if I should go for the upright nest or a flat one .

In wild they nest under stones with digging in to soft dirt to get under like Lasius niger. So looks like I may try a flat nest.

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As for photo's I'll always try  and take photo's as long as dogs not trying to jump on me.

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[Wood~Ant]

Looking at the new video and photos of the brood, I get a feeling this colony could get big very quickly?

[shane]

Apr 16, 2016 21:40:51 GMT Wood~Ant said:

Looking at the new video and photos of the brood, I get a feeling this colony could get big very quickly?

I'm thinking that  the egg to pupae takes about same as my messors, The workers don't live that long as well just over a month and they die as that's

another indication colony is going to be big. 

[occultus]

Shane, could I possibly have a look at the nest that you use to house them. It looks very unusual and open but I like it. I almost thought that the colony was sitting on top of a plastic sheet. 
Very nice brood pile, my girls better get a move on!