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Post by James O'Neill on Aug 25, 2011 20:27:19 GMT
I recieved this small colony of L. niger from Blem12 about a week ago. It consists of a queen, about 17 workers and plenty of brood. They had a tumultuous time inside the tube while I was making a plaster formicarium, but now that it is finished I could attach the tube and hope that they move in. No such thing. The workers immediately swarmed into the plaster and promptly picked up pieces of sand a plaster crumbs and started to seal up the entrance to the tube. They have now almost sealed it up except for a small hole where they go in and out of to collect bits of food. I hope they move in soon, the tube is an awkward thing sticking out the side. I will code name this colony LN1.
I also recieved a queen with brood from Wood yesterday. She is happy enough in the tube for now and drinks some amount of honey water! This will be code named LN2.
These are the colonies I will be using to care for my silver-studded blue butterfly caterpillars next spring when the eggs hatch! It will be interesting and I will keep you posted.
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Post by James O'Neill on Aug 26, 2011 10:06:37 GMT
LN1 - I saw the first cocoon this morning in the tube. No sign of them wanting to move yet.
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Post by James O'Neill on Sept 3, 2011 16:38:31 GMT
They have now moved into the nest ;D They are very active scuttling about and exploring. Plenty of brood, including 5 cocoons.
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Post by James O'Neill on Oct 11, 2011 19:46:08 GMT
LN 1 now about 25 workers and a good bit of brood before the slowdown for winter. LN2 the queen is still tending her brood closely
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