|
Post by formica on Nov 13, 2009 16:30:54 GMT
I have ordered a colony of Lasius niger from edu-sci. A few months ago, I kept a colony of these. The colony was going strong with about 20 workers. It ended after my mum came round to do spring cleaning when she moved It and the tunnels collapsed. Also, I have said about Edu-sci's ants being faulty and I am doing this to find out whether there is something wrong with their ants are not. Anyway, I'm keeping a journal.
|
|
buzz
Nurse Ant
Posts: 111
|
Post by buzz on Nov 13, 2009 16:44:32 GMT
I have 2 colonies of L.niger from them and both arrived well and in good condition (well from what I could see and know about them LOL )
One is in an antworld and have burried down and a few workers are now exploring - been about 6 days in there
The other I have put in an aquarium set up (small plastic 6" one) filled with a soil/sand mix - wanted it a bit lighter so I could see them.
I started a few holes for them, they have chosen one and sealed themsleves into it - every last one of them!
All seem OK Cheers
|
|
|
Post by formica on Nov 13, 2009 20:31:25 GMT
I got home and my Lasius niger colony is there. queen, 9 workers and the most brood I have ever seen. There is seven larvae and at least 30 eggs. There is a pupae as well.
|
|
|
Post by formica on Nov 15, 2009 12:50:31 GMT
Small update here. My colony has moved itself into the middle of the tube. That means It will be very easy to move ;D
|
|
|
Post by Wood~Ant on Nov 15, 2009 13:09:52 GMT
As you want to make this a journal, I have moved it into the correct board
|
|
|
Post by formica on Nov 21, 2009 18:41:23 GMT
All of the eggs have turned into larva and there is about 4 or five larva that will turn into pupae soon.
|
|
|
Post by formica on Dec 21, 2009 18:03:08 GMT
Some really big larva now, so I am expecting pupae now. I am going to hibernate this colony next year as from experience anytime I get a new colony I never hibernate them until the next year, unless the colony is really big.
|
|
|
Post by formica on Feb 10, 2010 20:58:16 GMT
The colony has grown to twelve workers now and they have moved themselves and their brood into their nest. They have dug a chamber the size of about 4 twenty p pieces. They are eating a great deal now as well. I cannot see the nest at all but the last time I saw the colony's brood there was four pupae, three larvae and about 13 eggs. On Sunday, I watched the colony move all the brood out of the tube and into the tunnel. For the rest of the night, they just dug. I think a new worker has also joined the colony as there is one that is slightly paler than the rest but I see it emerge at the tunnel entrance and drop some soil out during nest excavation. The most workers I have seen out foraging is ten but I reckon there is more underground. There is definitely at least twelve workers in the colony as thats how many there were when I moved it into the habitat. This colony is doing brilliantly.
|
|
|
Post by formica on Feb 23, 2010 16:33:06 GMT
For an unknown reason, flies keep entering the habitat. Last week a flie went down the entrance tunnel and then 11 workers were up at the surface tearing it to peices. Two small workers emerged and went around the larger workers and gave them a hand. This tells me there is at least thirteen ants in the colony. Although I am sure there is a few more as I don't think the colony would leave the queen all by herself underground at a time of danger. Can't wait to see what becomes of this colony!
|
|
|
Post by formica on Mar 1, 2010 16:55:01 GMT
Finally it has happened. I can now see about half of the nest and a small fraction of the brood chamber. Due to the colony being moved, two of the tunnels that lead to the surface have collapsed and now only the smaller workers can fit through. Fortunately, the main entrance is fine. There are less workers foraging now because the two of the entrances have collapsed but no ants have died because a small rove beetle entered the main nest and within five seconds it was being pursued by 12 workers! In past entries I have stated about the flie that entered the nest and that was killed. I can actually see the dead body of the flie in the newly constructed rubbish chamber. Regularly workers come into this chamber which is about the size of 3 or 4 flies with bits of food and peices of cocoons. There are many other tunnels that lead to this chamber but the two that lead to the surface have collapsed. It dosent really bother the ants and they have made no attempts at repairing them. I am able to see a tiny part of the brood chamber and I can see 3 callow ants, eggs and larvae.The brood chamber sits flat at the bottom and I can only see the part of it which is in the stand of the playpen. The colony is doing great! ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
Post by ryan349 on Mar 1, 2010 21:15:07 GMT
Sounds like they're doing perfectly! Have you got any pictures? I have a L. niger colony consisting of 1 queen 7 workers 5-6 cocoons a brood pile (20-30eggs) and a dent in the cotton hiding what I think to be larvae, any advice?
|
|
|
Post by formica on Mar 2, 2010 16:16:29 GMT
I got a new camera for christmas, so yes hopefully I will be getting some pictures soon. The problem is is that the ants are in the airing cupboard right now as its too cold here in Ireland right now for me to take them out. I don't really have any advice on the cotton wool thing but I think you should get a magnifying glass and have a closer look to see if it is larvae. Last night they dragged another flie into the nest. I should expect to see it in the rubbish chamber soon once they have finished repairing the tunnels. There isnt much movement in the brood chamber and the callow ant that is there only tends to the larvae.
|
|
|
Post by formica on Mar 9, 2010 17:15:29 GMT
I'm a little worried. The other day I saw one worker out of the nest and then she went back in again. For the past few days they have not been foraging. I was worried so I scraped a little bit of the main entrance up and discovered it was blocked. There are still 3 other entrance holes but I have not seen any workers for a few days now so I am starting to worry. Does anyone have any ideas of whats going on? I just better pray.
|
|
|
Post by formica on Mar 29, 2010 12:49:11 GMT
|
|