New To Ant Keeping and Caught Unknown Species Queen

Questions from those who are just starting or considering getting into the ant keeping hobby. If you’re intimidated or confused by the in-depth posts of the other sections of this forum, feel free to post here, and we'll start from square one!

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seadawg84
Posts: 54
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2022 12:32 pm
Location: Winona Lake, Indiana, U.S.A.

Re: New To Ant Keeping and Caught Unknown Species Queen

Post: # 95222Post seadawg84
Fri Jul 29, 2022 4:33 pm

So I should just keep the setup as is for a year or two? Just keep replacing the wet cotton ball and put in a cut up insect or other protein source every once in a while? What should I do for sugar water for them? Maybe put some in a small bottle cap and place it in there? Again, I know this part is still at least a few weeks from now.

SolenopsisKeeper
Posts: 2402
Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2021 11:41 am
Location: United States, Florida

Re: New To Ant Keeping and Caught Unknown Species Queen

Post: # 95228Post SolenopsisKeeper
Fri Jul 29, 2022 7:41 pm

seadawg84 wrote:
Fri Jul 29, 2022 4:33 pm
So I should just keep the setup as is for a year or two? Just keep replacing the wet cotton ball and put in a cut up insect or other protein source every once in a while? What should I do for sugar water for them? Maybe put some in a small bottle cap and place it in there? Again, I know this part is still at least a few weeks from now.
What you can do is make a little cup of sugar water, and dip the exist cotton in it. Works great, but you need to replace it when they are done.

If you have P. Bincarinata, be prepared for massive worker jumps. From 3-20, to 20-100, for 100-500, and so on. They grow very quick. If needed, you could keep them in tubes for a long while.
When you accidentally reply to yourself…

seadawg84
Posts: 54
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2022 12:32 pm
Location: Winona Lake, Indiana, U.S.A.

Re: New To Ant Keeping and Caught Unknown Species Queen

Post: # 95468Post seadawg84
Fri Aug 05, 2022 10:13 am

Update on my Pheidole sp. queen. She has laid (lain?) more eggs. And seems to be quite healthy. Can't tell if any of the eggs have hatched yet. I've got some pics. You can just barely make out the queen in the background.

https://imgur.com/Jr5dw2r

https://imgur.com/nAJ40eD

seadawg84
Posts: 54
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2022 12:32 pm
Location: Winona Lake, Indiana, U.S.A.

Re: New To Ant Keeping and Caught Unknown Species Queen

Post: # 95737Post seadawg84
Fri Aug 12, 2022 1:06 pm

More pictures of the Pheidole sp. eggs and larva. They seem to really be coming along.

https://imgur.com/WLOmUxN

https://imgur.com/bdQS9sp

https://imgur.com/QeesbV3

seadawg84
Posts: 54
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2022 12:32 pm
Location: Winona Lake, Indiana, U.S.A.

Re: New To Ant Keeping and Caught Unknown Species Queen

Post: # 95883Post seadawg84
Fri Aug 19, 2022 6:59 pm

My queen is going to have its first nanitic soon! When can I move them from the dark drawer they are in and to a spot in the open? Also, when should I start feeding them? Should I wait until after the first nanitic is out and about or wait until there are a few? Here are a few pictures:

https://imgur.com/ErJpuFe

https://imgur.com/Ptdulyw

https://imgur.com/YIud8tL

https://imgur.com/bLW4QSD

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