New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica

Temporary placeholder

Moderators: ooper01, Trusted User

Locked
Aussieantkeeper
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun May 23, 2021 1:29 am
Location: Western Australia

New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica

Post: # 77895Post Aussieantkeeper
Sun May 23, 2021 1:49 am

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
New to ant keeping

1x duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica 0 workers, some eggs

danielw
Posts: 51
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 7:58 am

Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica

Post: # 77898Post danielw
Sun May 23, 2021 5:29 am

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.
2x iridomyrmex purpureus
1x rhytydoponera metallica
1x camponotus consibrinis
1x myrmecia pyriformis
1x iridomyrmex bickneli
2x pheidole sp

Aussieantkeeper
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun May 23, 2021 1:29 am
Location: Western Australia

Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica

Post: # 77900Post Aussieantkeeper
Sun May 23, 2021 6:36 am

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

danielw
Posts: 51
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 7:58 am

Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica

Post: # 77904Post danielw
Sun May 23, 2021 7:06 am

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

Aussieantkeeper
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun May 23, 2021 1:29 am
Location: Western Australia

Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica

Post: # 77906Post Aussieantkeeper
Sun May 23, 2021 7:38 am

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

Aussieantkeeper
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun May 23, 2021 1:29 am
Location: Western Australia

Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica

Post: # 78122Post Aussieantkeeper
Mon May 31, 2021 1:31 am

My two queens have just laid eggs!!!, what now?
New to ant keeping

1x duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica 0 workers, some eggs

danielw
Posts: 51
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 7:58 am

Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica

Post: # 78147Post danielw
Mon May 31, 2021 8:58 pm

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

Aussieantkeeper
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun May 23, 2021 1:29 am
Location: Western Australia

Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica

Post: # 79134Post Aussieantkeeper
Tue Jun 29, 2021 8:57 pm

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
New to ant keeping

1x duel queen Rhytidoponera metallica 0 workers, some eggs

User avatar
AM1C39
Posts: 1012
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2020 12:17 pm
Location: Canada, ON
Contact:

Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica

Post: # 79180Post AM1C39
Fri Jul 02, 2021 11:54 am

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]

Rhytidmetallica
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:16 pm
Location: Australia

Re: New to ant keeping - Rhytidoponera metallica

Post: # 84371Post Rhytidmetallica
Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:27 pm

danielw wrote:
Sun May 23, 2021 7:06 am
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.
Well i caught mine with eggs in its mouth!

Locked

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest