[Timenova] Pheidole Pallidula

[TenebrousNova]

(Log 16)

The oldest larvae are almost at the right size for pupating.
This colony has still been eating what is given to them. A few more of the eggs have begun to hatch.

[TenebrousNova]

The colony has about 30-40 workers, and it had one major when I first got them. A few workers have died of natural means and I'm assuming the major was getting on as well, because she seemed pretty healthy before she died.
I'm positive that at least one major will be produced from the biggest larvae, because they are growing very quickly.

I'm pretty pleased with the brood's progress so far.

[TenebrousNova]

Almost had a few escapes earlier- I opened their container and placed a freshly killed fly in there for them, and a small group of workers immediately began a charge up the sides towards the exit.
One of them ended up getting out, and I had to carefully brush her back in while avoiding her snapping jaws.
They are tiny, but formidable predators.

[lotsofants]

Imagine when the colony is mature, it will be more then a couple worker trying to escape ;D

[TenebrousNova]

(Log 16)

It's so hot today, that every one of my pets that doesn't live in water has needed a top-up of it.
The Pheidole are fine, and are probably enjoying the stifling heat of the morning. I had to change the tissue they were hiding under with a fresh cool and damp piece as well as their cotton. Lifting up the tissue was the problem, and I immediately saw a chubby queen scrambling for cover (The new tissue), and the workers, who scooped up the brood and followed her.
No pupae yet, but it shouldn't be long.

[TenebrousNova]

(Log 17)

Sorry for the lack of updates. One of the larvae seems to have turned solid white, despite being smaller than the larger larvae. In my experience, a solid white larva is about to pupate, but I thought it would be bigger than that to become a worker.
They have been eating a few small spiders that I found this morning, and still eat well. I still however, can't find any kind of liquid that they like to drink. They still turn their antennae up at honey. Would anyone recommend sugar water, or anything else?

[TenebrousNova]

(Log 18)

Not much has happened, but the first pupa has finally developed- she's a worker.

[TenebrousNova]

(Log 19)

As I type this, I'm introducing the Pheidole to a proper soil set up. To do this, I removed their damp tissue and cotton (I'm going to place a small 'shelter' a little way from their current box to encourage them to move), and placed their box on it's side so they can move.
A few workers are already scouting around, and they seem intrigued by the new environment they have found themselves in.
As you might expect, the queen is not impressed, but she'll probably move once the area is reported as 'safe'.
The set up is my old plastic lunch box, filled with soil up to halfway.

Okay, I have now 'opened the floodgates' as they say. ;D
Most of the workers are out of the box and exploring. I have seen no evidence of digging just yet, and the queen is still in the box with her larvae. At one point, a worker attempted to make her leave by tugging on her back leg, but gave up.

However! I just saw a worker drinking at a bit of honey. This is a triumph.

[TenebrousNova]

Digging seems to have commenced- a large number of workers is staying at one particular point, and just now a worker holding some eggs ran down a small hole.
The site seems to be chosen, and some more brood is being transported to this area.

Queen is moving around a bit more now, seemingly more alert. I wonder when she'll make her move.
I'll keep the journal posted as the Pheidole carry out their plans.

Edit: Pheidole workers are now lifting out bits of soil. The queen is only accompanied by a few workers now, and she's getting restless.

[TenebrousNova]

Queen is making her move!
She first stood there, looking lost, then finally she ran after a pair of workers. I thought she'd never leave the box. After the desperate dash, she went under some damp cotton I'd put in the set up earlier. The rest of the brood is now being moved now that their mum is out.

Once the Pheidole have finished up in their old box, I'll remove it. We don't want the queen getting second thoughts.

[TenebrousNova]

All brood has now been moved from the old box.
Three workers stood in the box after it had been checked about a dozen times, and they finally exchanged a look as though to say: "Right girls, we're finished 'ere.".
After they had left, I removed the old box. ;D

The queen is still hiding under that cotton with some of the brood, but they'll probably complete the move sooner or later. The brood that she's with are the larger larvae.

[TenebrousNova]

(Log 20)

For the most part, they are now settled although the occasional larva is moved around. The colony appears to have split into two 'camps' right now- half are working on the original site they chose. The other half is there because the queen was sitting in a small crater with the other half of the brood and workers, which has now become a deep hole.
Most workers on the surface are foraging, about three are drinking from some honey (I'm not sure why they've suddenly decided they like it ), and another few are munching on a big fly I gave them earlier. I have to say that the sight of a single worker dragging along this huge fly by herself whilst her sisters are riding on top is a great thing to see.

They seem to be settling in well. I have to say that's the fastest move that any of my ants have had from one nest to another.

There have been absolutely no escape attempts.
This colony now lives on top of my wardrobe, as the lunch box that they live in won't fit in the ant cupboard like my smaller colonies do. ;D

[TenebrousNova]

(Log 21)

The Pheidole only sent out one foraging worker this morning, meaning that they're probably satisfied with the fly I gave them yesterday (Which, incidentally, only has a few wings scattered around the surface now that they've finished with it).
There's a few small entrance holes to their nest, and I thought I saw a chamber. It's hard to tell though, even though they seem to have built around the sides.

[TenebrousNova]

(Log 22)

About 5 workers are foraging right now, and seem to have discovered a new food that they like: Marshmallows. ;D

There is also a worker who acts as a replete, drinking from honey until she is swollen before feeding the other workers. After that, she 'refills' herself again.

In addition, I have found one of the brood chambers- Within the corner, I saw one of two ajoining chambers with the second one further into the soil. Some larvae were in the closer one and the pale forms of more larvae were glimpsed further in.

I have seen nothing of her majesty, but she's in the nest somewhere.

[Wood~Ant]

It's amazing what sweet food ants will eat, as I never thought of trying marshmallows ;D