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Post by Akaant on May 9, 2010 22:36:57 GMT
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Quah
Ant Photographer
Outstanding Ant Photographer
Posts: 226
Country: Malaysia
Likes: 10
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Post by Quah on May 10, 2010 1:52:45 GMT
Nice, very nice. Very, very nice.
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Post by Akaant on May 10, 2010 3:08:55 GMT
Thanks! Still trying to find the well hidden queen....
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Post by Wood~Ant on May 10, 2010 8:06:07 GMT
You certainly have 2 very nice ant colonies there, and the Aphaenogaster look like an interesting species. A bit like a Myrmica rubra with long legs I wish I could get Camponotus to grow to a good sized colony like yours, as just as I get to a reasonable number of workers, some either die off or disappear completely (probably escape) I think setting your ants up in a plaster nest is a good idea, as I found my Aphaenogaster senilis colony did well in slightly drier conditions; but didn't do as well in damp soil.
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Post by Akaant on May 10, 2010 16:07:09 GMT
They like to stay near the wet cotton ball in the center of the set up. I'm going to increase the temperature to see if I can spread them out and so more workers might go foraging. As for Camponotus its best to spend extra cash for a colony with workers. the queen!
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Post by Black Ant on May 10, 2010 18:22:32 GMT
Lovely photos and I really like the red ants, the queen is gorgeous
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Post by Soldier Ant Warrior on May 10, 2010 18:54:28 GMT
AMAZING
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Post by Akaant on May 14, 2010 20:07:15 GMT
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Post by Wood~Ant on May 16, 2010 9:02:24 GMT
Those larvae in the last picture look very plump, positively fat even, so they must be eating a lot ;D
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Post by Akaant on May 16, 2010 19:38:02 GMT
I think some of the Apheanogaster brood might become queens. I find feeding them is pain because you have to force the food to them. I'm happy to see one of the Camponotus larva has cocooned.
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Post by Akaant on May 18, 2010 0:14:29 GMT
I forgot to give my Camponotus colony some water for a few days and found about 30 of them running around the foraging area. I made a small video of them drinking water.
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Post by Wood~Ant on May 18, 2010 7:03:11 GMT
Nice Is that a lump of ice they're sucking on to get water? I thought it might be too cold if it is, but those workers don't seem bothered by it
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Post by Akaant on May 18, 2010 15:56:37 GMT
The top piece is toilet paper with sugar water on it and the lower one is toilet paper with just water. This colony has a great way of telling me if they need more food ect... 1-3 minor workers can slip out of the foraging area and run around my room forcing me to put them back in and to take a look as to whats going on inside.
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Post by Akaant on May 20, 2010 23:29:57 GMT
(1) Both colonies increased activity in the foraging areas. (2) Food demand for the Camponotus colony has increased substantially due to the large amount of larva. (3) Aphaengaster colony is stable now and the queen laid a batch of eggs. Statistics. Aphaenogaster colony. 150-200 worker - about 30 deaths since captured. 20-30 eggs 5-10 brood Camponotus chromaiodes colony. 90-110 workers - 5-8 deaths since captured. 30+ eggs 65-75 larva 10-15 pupa Aphaenogaster brood pile. Camponotus queen laying a egg. Camponotus colony.
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Quah
Ant Photographer
Outstanding Ant Photographer
Posts: 226
Country: Malaysia
Likes: 10
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Post by Quah on May 21, 2010 1:25:40 GMT
It is always very pleasing to see a colony that is thriving. Just beautiful.
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