New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica
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New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica
Hey guys,
I am very new to ant keeping, i have 1 duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica in a founding test tube with no brood or workers. I am just wondering, what they like i.e heat humidity, and food wise. I am also wondering about ideal egg production conditions for them.
Cheers
I am very new to ant keeping, i have 1 duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica in a founding test tube with no brood or workers. I am just wondering, what they like i.e heat humidity, and food wise. I am also wondering about ideal egg production conditions for them.
Cheers
New to ant keeping
1x duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica 0 workers, some eggs
1x duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica 0 workers, some eggs
Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica
Rhytydoponera Metallica are semi claustral. Which means they will forage for food during founding. I hade my quuen attached to a smalk out world un which I fed her during founding. As for food I feed mine crickets, roaches, and Byformica sunburst ant nectar, honey and fruits.
For humidity I would aim for 50-80% in the nest and 40-70% in the out world.
For humidity I would aim for 50-80% in the nest and 40-70% in the out world.
2x iridomyrmex purpureus
1x rhytydoponera metallica
1x camponotus consibrinis
1x myrmecia pyriformis
1x iridomyrmex bickneli
2x pheidole sp
1x rhytydoponera metallica
1x camponotus consibrinis
1x myrmecia pyriformis
1x iridomyrmex bickneli
2x pheidole sp
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sun May 23, 2021 1:29 am
- Location: Western Australia
Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica
And how long does it take for them to lay their first eggs?
New to ant keeping
1x duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica 0 workers, some eggs
1x duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica 0 workers, some eggs
Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica
This can vary. There are at alot of variables. I was lucky mine started laying 2 days after I found her. Having two queens may affect this. It may take them a little longer to get comfortable. Also are you sure you have queens? It is very difficult to tell apart queens and workers of Rhytydoponera Metallica.
2x iridomyrmex purpureus
1x rhytydoponera metallica
1x camponotus consibrinis
1x myrmecia pyriformis
1x iridomyrmex bickneli
2x pheidole sp
1x rhytydoponera metallica
1x camponotus consibrinis
1x myrmecia pyriformis
1x iridomyrmex bickneli
2x pheidole sp
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sun May 23, 2021 1:29 am
- Location: Western Australia
Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica
Im pretty sure they are queens, I bought them from a local GAN farmer. Besides from the obvious signs, how can you tell that they are queens?
New to ant keeping
1x duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica 0 workers, some eggs
1x duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica 0 workers, some eggs
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sun May 23, 2021 1:29 am
- Location: Western Australia
Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica
My two queens have just laid eggs!!!, what now?
New to ant keeping
1x duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica 0 workers, some eggs
1x duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica 0 workers, some eggs
Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica
Nice! Now you wait. Make sure they have a source of protein once the eggs reach the larvae stage. Larvae need protein for healthy growth. Having some substrate like sand will help the larvae spin cocoons once they reach the pupae stage. Other than that, just keep them warm make sure they have access to water and some honey or nectar.
2x iridomyrmex purpureus
1x rhytydoponera metallica
1x camponotus consibrinis
1x myrmecia pyriformis
1x iridomyrmex bickneli
2x pheidole sp
1x rhytydoponera metallica
1x camponotus consibrinis
1x myrmecia pyriformis
1x iridomyrmex bickneli
2x pheidole sp
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sun May 23, 2021 1:29 am
- Location: Western Australia
Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica
Hi guys,
My queens have been progressing nicely, but the cotton ball in their test tube setup is starting to mould. I have a few questions regarding this:
Will they take their eggs with them when they move?
Should i move them into a different setup, i.e a tubs and tubes setup?
They have no larvae, but many eggs
Cheers
My queens have been progressing nicely, but the cotton ball in their test tube setup is starting to mould. I have a few questions regarding this:
Will they take their eggs with them when they move?
Should i move them into a different setup, i.e a tubs and tubes setup?
They have no larvae, but many eggs
Cheers
New to ant keeping
1x duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica 0 workers, some eggs
1x duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica 0 workers, some eggs
Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica
if they do a full move they will take all their brood with them and you should just move them into another test tube set up.
My current colonies:
-Miniature Military(formica neogagates)
-Black Hearts(crematogaster cerasi)
In search of new camponotus colony
[Have a look at antmaps.org]
-Miniature Military(formica neogagates)
-Black Hearts(crematogaster cerasi)
In search of new camponotus colony
[Have a look at antmaps.org]
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- Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:16 pm
- Location: Australia
Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica
Well i caught mine with eggs in its mouth!danielw wrote: ↑Sun May 23, 2021 7:06 amThis can vary. There are at alot of variables. I was lucky mine started laying 2 days after I found her. Having two queens may affect this. It may take them a little longer to get comfortable. Also are you sure you have queens? It is very difficult to tell apart queens and workers of Rhytydoponera Metallica.
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