Camponotus genus problem

[antdoctor]

Hi everyone,

I want to share with you some problems that I have found with this genus. I don't know why but every time any colony that belongs to this genus seems doing very well, for some strange reason the workers start dying weekly and the colony declines.

It seems at the beginning, some workers show problem when they drink, they can't really drink neither from a drop of honey water or from mates. Therefore, the gastrum becomes very tiny and then the worker dies. You can tell even because the worker is unsure, wobbling and not taking care of the brood.

I know that this genus is missing some of the metacarpal glands that seem to have antibacterial function but I am wondering if I do something wrong that affects them.

Diet is honeywater and insects mainly. Mealworms, crickets, locuts but the result is always the same.

really frustrated with this genus. It seems that I am cursed with them. Other species seem doing very well.

Thank you

[Wood~Ant]

I can't say I've had this with mine, although I do better with the Asian species than the European ones. Could it be the nest set up do you think might be the problem? You are feeding a good varied diet, but something like lack of water will dehydrate ants or a low humidity.

[antdoctor]

As I said for the diet, I use honey water, mealworms, locusts, fruitflies and crickets. Is there anything that you use different for the diet?

I have tried different set up, same results.

[Wood~Ant]

I do give mine freshly swatted flies from our garden, green or bluebottles; and in all my set ups I put a small plastic bottle cap in which a wad of wet cotton wool is placed so the ants can suck fresh water. Once it gets dirty I replace the wad for a clean one and keep it wet at all times, as it does dry out after about 3 days.
Other than that I cannot see why your ants become emaciated and die off.

[occultus]

Could it be caused by the nests or out worlds that your using? Something hidden that is toxic to them. Any air freshener or body sprays etc used near the colonies? Use boiled insects and try them with diluted sugar water.

Only offer them a small out world to start of with to help them feel secure.. Ironically the constant checking on the colonies could be adding stress to them...European Camponotus can be a pain. My vagus develop brilliantly but my cruentatus fail to raise workers.

[antdoctor]

My set up is very simple when the colony is at the beginning. A test tube place in a small foraging area which is a plastic box usually. In this case, it is C. vagus which should be very fast and in fact it was until 5 died in the last 2 weeks.

[antdoctor]

I think I am going to give some wild insects and run risks of parasites. I have tried with moths and all of them seem very interested.