My Solenopsis molesta colony
Moderator: ooper01
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My Solenopsis molesta colony
Today I stumbled upon a colony of Solenopsis molesta colony in my yard. Before this, I had no other colonies, so I decided to capture the queen and some workers. Otherwise I would have waited until the Formica argentea nuptial flights in June. The queen is full of eggs, there are 8 workers, and about 10 larvae. They are being housed in a test tube setup. So, what should I name this colony? Any suggestions?
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
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Re: My Solenopsis molesta colony
Update
I decided to break into the colony again and this time boosted the colony to about 50 workers or so.
I decided to break into the colony again and this time boosted the colony to about 50 workers or so.
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
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Re: My Solenopsis molesta colony
The queen and workers escaped!
But don't worry. I caught another colony. This time it has four queens, and around 100 workers. The queens are laying eggs, and the brood piles are growing by the hundreds every day. (Typical Solenopsis molesta egg laying rate)
But don't worry. I caught another colony. This time it has four queens, and around 100 workers. The queens are laying eggs, and the brood piles are growing by the hundreds every day. (Typical Solenopsis molesta egg laying rate)
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
Re: My Solenopsis molesta colony
i have heard solenopsis molesta are very good escape artists
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Re: My Solenopsis molesta colony
I forgot to water them, and put the top on my container, so most of the workers escaped, (escape artists) and the whole thing dried out and there is only one queen left, but I put more workers inside, so it isn't dead yet!
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
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Re: My Solenopsis molesta colony
I caught another colony, but this one had 70 or so queens! I only caught 60 or so, but that's still better than nothing. I named them the Royal Legion, referring to the army of queens.
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
Re: My Solenopsis molesta colony
I have solenopsis fugax colonies which are present in europe but is solenopsis molesta here too ?
Keeping : 2 Formica colonies: 5-10 workers
Tetramorium : 1 colony 3-5 workers
Lasius Niger : colony 30+ workers
Lasius Emarginatus:colony 10 workers
Solenopsis Fugax: 5 colonies 5+workers
C.V:2 queens founding
Tetramorium : 1 colony 3-5 workers
Lasius Niger : colony 30+ workers
Lasius Emarginatus:colony 10 workers
Solenopsis Fugax: 5 colonies 5+workers
C.V:2 queens founding
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Re: My Solenopsis molesta colony
No, they are a North American species.
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
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Re: My Solenopsis molesta colony
The Royal Legion has grown so much since the last time I did an update! There has to be at least 1,000 workers and huge balls of brood. I feed them fruit flies and butter. I find that the Royal Legion is ok with accepting new queens, so I will introduce freshly mated queens every year to keep the colony up and running long after it's supposed to die.
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
- idahoantgirl
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Re: My Solenopsis molesta colony
Butter? That's a new one. What are you giving them for sugar? I don't think butter has much nutritional value for ants.
Proverbs 6:6-8
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Keeping Tetramorium immigrans, Tapinoma Sessile
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Keeping Tetramorium immigrans, Tapinoma Sessile
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