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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 11, 2011 17:28:44 GMT
Hm, didn't realize how much time had passed since last I updated this journal. December is going by quickly. The workers rarely forage at the moment, but all is still well within the brood chamber, where the brood pile looks the same as in the photo posted before- with possibly a few more eggs. The pupae have still not begun to change colour, but they will hopefully eclose before Christmas judging by their age. The larvae are well-developed and a few of them may become media workers. Who knows, any of them could be a major, although these are more likely to arrive between Spring and Summer. There is a small chewed piece of ant bread within the brood chamber and a few rye grass seeds- they still don't seem interested in the other types of seed, although they might become less fussy as the colony grows. I am certainly looking forward to Spring- I have seen it mentioned several times on this forum that queens become the most productive during this period, and it will be interesting to see what this large lady can do. ;D
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Post by Wood~Ant on Dec 12, 2011 9:07:22 GMT
You will find that both larval and pupal development slow down dramatically from late November until late February, but yet does not stop entirely. However, from next mid March brood development will speed up again; and by April the queen will gorge herself on food and lay eggs. During the Spring and Summer months colony growth is always high, as if the ants have an internal clock which tells them to "make hay while the sun shines", or in the queen's case to increase egg production.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 13, 2011 19:45:57 GMT
Two of the pupae are finally showing signs of changing colour. Before Christmas may be too optimistic an estimate, but they will definitely be here before January. The colony still tries to remove insects that I give them though. Maybe they just don't need them yet.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 17, 2011 22:09:33 GMT
Two of the pupae are quite dark now. Most of the eggs are hatched as well. Still no surface activity from this colony however.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Dec 18, 2011 8:43:03 GMT
Two of the pupae are quite dark now. Most of the eggs are hatched as well. Still no surface activity from this colony however. That's because it is a small colony. Oddly enough my 2 remaining 7 sisters (Q2 & Q7) colonies haven't sent any workers out foraging on the surface for over 7 weeks now. By contrast my 2 largest Messor barb colonies are out in great numbers every day, and even into the night. Yet the latter only have heating when the gas cooker is on and our kitchen/diner gets very warm, while the Q2 and Q7 do have some heating on at night. You will find that brood development slows to about a quarter of normal from now until late February, then it will speed up rapidly again. However, pupae that gradually darken during the winter months will still eclose into adult ants; it's just that you'll get less of them than you will when it gets a lot warmer, even with heating. Your ants know it is winter, as some kind of internal biorythmic clock is telling them. Once the colony reaches a 100 or more adults, you will find they will probably forage all year round like my 2 colonies do, as each has about 1,000 or more ants and are really active.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 18, 2011 18:58:08 GMT
Indeed. Even so, a fourth pupa has developed today. I held the container up earlier and looked into the entrance from above, and was able to see slightly into part of the chamber from above- and there's definitely a batch of eggs, about fifteen.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 19, 2011 9:47:49 GMT
The queen decided to take an unescorted walk outside the nest this morning. Possibly to get away from the light when I looked into the brood chamber. She was escorted back down by about eight workers shortly afterwards. Don't Messor queens sometimes become confident enough to leave the actual nest? I remember Shane mentioning his queen to sometimes go exploring her territory, although that colony is considerably larger.
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Post by Zarbi on Dec 19, 2011 10:01:34 GMT
Didn't this queen walkabout happen yesterday? At least that is what you posted on another ant forum, and it read the same as this post does. Queens of many ant species will sometimes leave the nest if they feel confident, but workers don't like them doing it as they could be snatched by any passing predator.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 19, 2011 10:25:42 GMT
To be honest with you, the photo was taken a few months ago and I was looking for an excuse to use it, although the event described did actually happen at the time. Sorry for the confusion. Well-spotted Zarbi. But I see what you mean, Myrmica queens sometimes explore the outskirts of their nests, although these ones tend to be older and more experienced than others in the nest. This queen has only ventured out once, but she does sometimes poke her head out when I open the container. Actually I recall Wood mentioning one of his Messor queens (Possibly the one in the orange-tank colony) walking around outside with a pair of super-major bodyguards, and there was a nice photo included.
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Post by Wood~Ant on Dec 19, 2011 10:39:17 GMT
Actually I recall Wood mentioning one of his Messor queens (Possibly the one in the orange-tank colony) walking around outside with a pair of super-major bodyguards, and there was a nice photo included. I believe this is the thread you refer to Timenova New board URL posted further down.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 19, 2011 11:02:27 GMT
Apparently that thread doesn't exist?
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Post by Wood~Ant on Dec 19, 2011 11:08:10 GMT
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 19, 2011 11:28:42 GMT
Yep, this one works- and that is also the picture I was talking about. Thank you Wood.
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Post by Zarbi on Dec 20, 2011 10:35:12 GMT
To be honest with you, the photo was taken a few months ago and I was looking for an excuse to use it, although the event described did actually happen at the time. Sorry for the confusion. Well-spotted Zarbi. Look on the funny side and remember the old adage, "beware your sins will find you out" as I often go on other ant forums, but won't join a certain one as it's too childish and stupid at times.
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Post by TenebrousNova on Dec 21, 2011 10:37:45 GMT
Two pupae are very dark and may eclose today, but definitely by tomorrow. They have suddenly gone on a big foraging mission and bought about ten seeds into the nest. Queen: Workers:
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