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Post by TenebrousNova on Jan 30, 2011 10:17:43 GMT
Following Wood's advice, I have placed the queen and worker into a soil set up, and overnight they have dug themselves a large chamber. They are still doing something in there, though there are no eggs yet. I'll try them on a few crumbs of homemade cheese straws later.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Feb 3, 2011 19:58:15 GMT
The queen and worker have dug out a large chamber with about three sub-chambers surrounding it, with a tunnel to the entrance and several holes in the chamber ceiling. The queen has been carrying around some unidentified white and small things in her jaws, but apart from about two perfectly round and partially translucent objects, I'm not sure if there are eggs yet. The aforementioned specks could be Messor eggs, but as I have not seen either ant pay any attention to them I cannot be sure.
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Post by Zarbi on Feb 3, 2011 20:09:29 GMT
Messor eggs look like tiny golf balls or very small bits of tapioca/sago if it helps
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Post by TenebrousNova on Feb 3, 2011 20:50:21 GMT
It could be. I probably wouldn't be able to tell until it hatched, if it is a egg. Viewing them is difficult, as the slightest disturbances send the queen into a panic, which in turn panics the worker. So I can only check up on them once every few days.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Feb 6, 2011 9:59:12 GMT
Last night, I placed in there a crumb from my homemade cheese straws. The Messor worker seemed interested in it, nibbling along its edge, before pulling it into a corner. I'm not sure if I'm imagining it, but it does look like it has been chewed.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Feb 10, 2011 15:53:06 GMT
I have bought one of the remaining red headed queens from Wood; she was posted today and should arrive either tomorrow or on Saturday. I am told that she has a worker, several developed pupae, about four larvae and some eggs. Sounds good to me! I think that this time I won't name her, naming an ant seems to jinx it. My black queen still has no eggs, but has dug out some tunnels along with her adopted worker.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Feb 12, 2011 9:18:43 GMT
The new red Messor Barbarus queen has just arrived, with her worker. She has a large pile of pupae, with one close to eclosing and one beginning to change colour. There are some fat larvae, too. After their adjustment period, this evening I may put their bottle in a soil set up to see if they want to dig a nest out.
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Post by odesssus on Feb 12, 2011 12:04:21 GMT
my one come this morning nice looking queen lots of larvae . I've got a bit of mold / fungus growing in the soil set up I made up for her. I know she will clean the larvae but I don't want to put her in a stressfully place strait away I think I will add more sand to the mix that cuts it down by a lot.I don't want to make the place to clean I don't think thats a good thing
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Post by TenebrousNova on Feb 12, 2011 16:35:42 GMT
Ah, you just reminded me about adding a little sand, thanks. I now have the bottle open and on its side in a plastic container filled with dirt. Strategically placed near the open end of the bottle is a milk bottle's lid, which is filled with small seeds. This is a delicate process, and I have found that the slightest disturbances can alarm the queen: She has good eyesight as well, and fled at the sight of my finger from about 5cm away. Both queen and worker have investigated the open end, and sniffed at the soil. They have not left, but if they want to spend time in their familiar home then that is fine. I expect they will move during the night, but it could be longer.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Feb 12, 2011 16:56:44 GMT
Good luck with it. Beyond Lasius Niger and Lasius Flavus, I'm pretty new to ant keeping.
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Post by odesssus on Feb 12, 2011 17:24:36 GMT
isn't it always the way I get one of woodants messor queens because my 2 have not laid a thing and when I look in on one today she has got larvae
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Post by TenebrousNova on Feb 12, 2011 17:27:45 GMT
Hehe, yeah. Small update: Messor queen has begun coming in and out of the bottle! She is having the time of her life exploring the container. Looking good. She can't understand why she can see through the sides but not walk through it, but she has laid the chemical scent needed for navigation.
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Post by odesssus on Feb 12, 2011 17:34:02 GMT
my new one is staying in the bottle I don't think she is as confident as yours as she has no workers yet.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Feb 12, 2011 17:37:17 GMT
Then that will be why. She won't want to leave the safety of her home right now unless she has a worker. Don't give up, she might do it while everyone is asleep. Ants do things in their own time.
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Post by Black Ant on Feb 12, 2011 17:42:31 GMT
maybe you should not rush her Odessus as she wants to keep warm and safe for now, so she will leave the bottle when she is ready and her brood are pupae or workers. sorry for posting on your journal Timenova, hope you don't mind
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