another boring dentification request
Moderator: ooper01
another boring dentification request
Hello,
After 4 years of searching the desert, I finally found an ant swarm engaged in nuptial flights. It turned out to be in a grocery store parking lot. Since I was naturally unprepared, I ran inside a bought all the measuring spoons from the ****. You know, the ones with the test tube like measuring chamber attached to a funny shaped spoon. I also bought a bag of cotton balls. Then, with tools in hand, my son and I proceeded to crawl around the cars attempting to capture newly matted queen without harming them. After many a strange look from passers by we triumphantly returned home with six medicine dispensers worth of ants.
The following are my notes to date:
Ant keeping record
5/5/18 Queens Captured 6 test tube setups. One with four queens. Water only setup.
Queens are 5.7mm in length auburn with gold striped on gasters between the plates.
5/11/18 Eggs spotted (may have been there sooner. First check) only one surviving queen in multi-queen setup.
6/7/2018 water gone from all setups. Need supplies to rework setup.
6/15/2018 set up second test tube face to face with first taped together with cotton ball spacer. Water only again. (forgot the sugar water until I was done.)
6/16/2018 queens will not move eggs larva or pupa to fresh tube.
6/17/2018First workers workers are 1.1mm and black.
6/18/2018 added piece of chopped cricket and granulated sugar to each test tube, half also got some fish food. Most tubes have 3 of 4 workers now.
Any ideas as to what species these might be?
After 4 years of searching the desert, I finally found an ant swarm engaged in nuptial flights. It turned out to be in a grocery store parking lot. Since I was naturally unprepared, I ran inside a bought all the measuring spoons from the ****. You know, the ones with the test tube like measuring chamber attached to a funny shaped spoon. I also bought a bag of cotton balls. Then, with tools in hand, my son and I proceeded to crawl around the cars attempting to capture newly matted queen without harming them. After many a strange look from passers by we triumphantly returned home with six medicine dispensers worth of ants.
The following are my notes to date:
Ant keeping record
5/5/18 Queens Captured 6 test tube setups. One with four queens. Water only setup.
Queens are 5.7mm in length auburn with gold striped on gasters between the plates.
5/11/18 Eggs spotted (may have been there sooner. First check) only one surviving queen in multi-queen setup.
6/7/2018 water gone from all setups. Need supplies to rework setup.
6/15/2018 set up second test tube face to face with first taped together with cotton ball spacer. Water only again. (forgot the sugar water until I was done.)
6/16/2018 queens will not move eggs larva or pupa to fresh tube.
6/17/2018First workers workers are 1.1mm and black.
6/18/2018 added piece of chopped cricket and granulated sugar to each test tube, half also got some fish food. Most tubes have 3 of 4 workers now.
Any ideas as to what species these might be?
Re: another boring dentification request
P.S. I tried to post a pic but the forum says it has reached its limit of allowed attachments.
- Batspiderfish
- Posts: 3315
- Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:47 pm
- Location: Maine
Re: another boring dentification request
Gotta upload to an image hosting site and link it here.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.
Re: another boring dentification request
This happens to be the one virgin queen. She was more cooperative then the others that were to busy taking care of brood but they are all the same.
Thanks for your help.
Re: another boring dentification request
OK, so either my picture was too blurry to be helpful or I've stumped you guys.
I had to go ahead and place orders for Nests as the test tube are filling up fast with workers.
I got a Solenopsis Hybrid Nest and a Tetramorium Hybrid Nest. I'll also try a soil nest and making my own nest with cinder block, silicone and glass maybe? With five new colonies I need to get creative fast! just hope these tiny workers can't escape the nests.
I'm still not sure what they are.
On a different note, I'm finding it surprisingly difficult to find talcum powder. All I can find is corn starch. Is it a valid substitute as an ant barrier? Seems doubtful...
I had to go ahead and place orders for Nests as the test tube are filling up fast with workers.
I got a Solenopsis Hybrid Nest and a Tetramorium Hybrid Nest. I'll also try a soil nest and making my own nest with cinder block, silicone and glass maybe? With five new colonies I need to get creative fast! just hope these tiny workers can't escape the nests.
I'm still not sure what they are.
On a different note, I'm finding it surprisingly difficult to find talcum powder. All I can find is corn starch. Is it a valid substitute as an ant barrier? Seems doubtful...
-
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2018 12:56 am
- Location: Oklahoma
Re: another boring dentification request
I use Vaseline on the underside of AC out worlds to keep them in. It works great. baby powder and rubbing alcohol mixed together to form a paste also works.
Keeper of:
solenopsis invicta x3
camponotus sp.
dorymyrmex sp.
solenopsis invicta x3
camponotus sp.
dorymyrmex sp.
Re: another boring dentification request
The workers don't get stuck in the Vaseline and die? How often do you need to reapply it?
Re: another boring dentification request
I'm going with Lacious neoniger
-
- Posts: 620
- Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2017 5:59 pm
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
Re: another boring dentification request
Doubt it’s L. Neoniger, their flights are later in August and early September.
An ants' strength can be rivaled by few animals compared to relative body size.
Re: another boring dentification request
Less blurry pictures would be helpfull
First year of antkeeping, already enjoying it!
Currently founding:
Lasius niger
Lasius umbratus
Lasius flavus
Still hoping to find a Formica queen.
Currently founding:
Lasius niger
Lasius umbratus
Lasius flavus
Still hoping to find a Formica queen.
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