Journaling my first queens (camponotus pennsylvanicus)
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Re: Journaling my first queens (camponotus pennsylvanicus)
Gratz on the worker! That little nanitic is so tiny compared to the queen!
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Re: Journaling my first queens (camponotus pennsylvanicus)
I managed to get 2 of these queens myself. Their eggs were the around the same age and one already had a pupae. The other is just now getting larvae...weird how it works differently though things may be the same. Can't wait for the first worker to arrive. And gratz btw! Brood is looking great too
Keeping:
Camponotus subbarbatus
Formica pallidefulva x2
Formica subsericea x4
Lasius sp
Tetramorium immigrans x2
Dorymyrmex bureni
Founding:
Formica pallidefulva
Unknown sp x2
Camponotus subbarbatus
Formica pallidefulva x2
Formica subsericea x4
Lasius sp
Tetramorium immigrans x2
Dorymyrmex bureni
Founding:
Formica pallidefulva
Unknown sp x2
Re: Journaling my first queens (camponotus pennsylvanicus)
Queen 1 has another worker!
Takes her current count to 2.
Also, you can tell in the pic queen 2 isn't far behind.
Takes her current count to 2.
Also, you can tell in the pic queen 2 isn't far behind.
Re: Journaling my first queens (camponotus pennsylvanicus)
Also, I think queen 1 seems to be the first camponotus pennsylvanicus with nanitics for the year. Looks like I lucked up and got myself an overachiever... lol
But seriously, I attribute their speed to ***** heat provided by a hacked heating pad. It has a thermostat and the cut off feature has been disabled. Probably far easier to just buy one used for this specific purpose, but I already had this one modified for growing fungi, so it was the most convenient option for me.
But seriously, I attribute their speed to ***** heat provided by a hacked heating pad. It has a thermostat and the cut off feature has been disabled. Probably far easier to just buy one used for this specific purpose, but I already had this one modified for growing fungi, so it was the most convenient option for me.
Re: Journaling my first queens (camponotus pennsylvanicus)
Nice. Queen 1 sounds well on her way! Probably helped that you got her so early in the year too. If you got her in early April, this sounds about right for her first nanitics to be showing up.
You hacked a heating pad, lol. But hey, if it works, why not? Mine thankfully doesn't have automatic cut-off by default, but I do wonder if one of these days I shouldn't get a thermostat. Right now I just keep it on low, and only part of the formicarium and/or tube for my two on the very edge of the pad and watch it like a hawk. Of course, if I invest in a thermostat, I may as well invest in a heating cable too (which is what I'd really like) and be done with it.
Have you started feeding them yet?
You hacked a heating pad, lol. But hey, if it works, why not? Mine thankfully doesn't have automatic cut-off by default, but I do wonder if one of these days I shouldn't get a thermostat. Right now I just keep it on low, and only part of the formicarium and/or tube for my two on the very edge of the pad and watch it like a hawk. Of course, if I invest in a thermostat, I may as well invest in a heating cable too (which is what I'd really like) and be done with it.
Have you started feeding them yet?
Re: Journaling my first queens (camponotus pennsylvanicus)
I've started attempting to feed them. The workers are still very skiddish and don't seem to want to venture to the side of the tube I have been leaving the honey on. I have however been leaving daily offerings even if they barely touch them.
And as for the heating pad, like I said before, not the simplest or best way to go about it. However, I already had it done for another project where I was growing fungus, so I just used what I had on hand considering it was suitable.
And as for the heating pad, like I said before, not the simplest or best way to go about it. However, I already had it done for another project where I was growing fungus, so I just used what I had on hand considering it was suitable.
Re: Journaling my first queens (camponotus pennsylvanicus)
Awww...poor things. I'm sure they'll work up their courage once they get hungry enough.
Also, I apologize if you thought I was dissing your heating pad. I thought it was a rather brilliant idea. I was just amused cause I'd never heard of anyone doing something like that before. BTW, I'm curious, what kind of thermostat do you use with it?
Also, I apologize if you thought I was dissing your heating pad. I thought it was a rather brilliant idea. I was just amused cause I'd never heard of anyone doing something like that before. BTW, I'm curious, what kind of thermostat do you use with it?
Re: Journaling my first queens (camponotus pennsylvanicus)
Oh no! I didn't think that at all. I don't really remember what thermostat I used honestly. That project took place several years ago and the ol' memory bank isn't quite what it use to be.
Re: Journaling my first queens (camponotus pennsylvanicus)
Oh, gotcha. I was thinking maybe it was one you connected separately, like the one I use for my snake tank. Been trying to find cheaper alternatives, lol.
Re: Journaling my first queens (camponotus pennsylvanicus)
I remember it came off of something else but I can't remember for the life of me what it came off of. I do however remember it was much harder to get it to work the way I wanted than I had previously expected. But, such is the nature of workshop tinkering.
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