My journey keeping a Camponotus Pennsylvanicus Colony

[ArizonanAnts]

I'm just learning so please excuse this ignorant question but when will they be ready or when will you move them to a bigger setup?

Should they always start in a test tube setup?

Thank you for your help!

Hello. Don't worry, those are some very valid questions. When you catch a queen you should put her in a test tube to simulate her claustral chamber in the real world. Once she has about 20 to 50 workers, this is all depending on the size of the species, you should then be able to move them to a bigger setup. If you want to learn more go to the AntsCanada website and look for the FAQ's they could help.

-ArizonanAnts

[CANant]

Thanks ArazonanAnts for answering that question. They’re definitely great questions Shawnstevens2003!

[CANant]

Sorry correction on my typo *ArizonanAnts

[ArizonanAnts]

Sorry correction on my typo *ArizonanAnts

Don't worry. lol. Happens right?

[JustABitAntsy]

Sorry correction on my typo *ArizonanAnts

CAN is this your only colony?

[CANant]

Yes actually. Unfortunately I don’t have much time to spare so one for now is great.

[CANant]

Well it’s getting cold here in Ontario, Canada. I will be pulling the heat gradually over the next week to help lower their temperature and prep them for their diapause. They have a good sized pile of larvae at different instar stages but none seem to developing further. They are refusing most of the protein but dragged a fly into the nesting tube the other day, however, don’t seem to be consuming it. Gasters are bulging full of water/sugar water. I have a wine cooler fridge set to the warmest temperature I can. I have been actively monitoring the temperature all summer/fall and seems to be holding at 8-10 degrees C. It’s definitely not dropping under 5 degrees C. Hopefully they do well with that. This is the nerve-racking part for me since I have never made it further than this point in my past ant keeping attempts (mostly because of my ignorance and I’m feeling more confident because of what I have learned since). They have done so well to this point and it would be very unfortunate to loose them over the winter.

[CANant]

Well it’s getting cold here in Ontario, Canada.
I definitely see 13, maybe 14 workers.
There are quite a few larvae at different instar stages that don’t seem to be developing further. They are refusing most of the protein but dragged a fly into the nesting tube the other day, however, don’t seem to be consuming it.
They are already loading their gasters full of water and sugar water that will sustain them over the winter.

Time to start planning and preparing them for their diapause.

I will be pulling the heat gradually over the next week to help lower their temperature and prep them for their diapause.

I have a wine cooler fridge set to the warmest temperature I can. I have been actively monitoring the temperature all summer/fall and seems to be holding at 8-10 degrees C. It’s definitely not dropping under 5 degrees C. Hopefully they do well with that.

This is the nerve-racking part for me since I have never made it further than this point in my past ant keeping attempts (mostly because of my ignorance and I’m feeling more confident because of what I have learned since). They have done so well to this point and it would be very unfortunate to loose them over the winter.

https://imgur.com/a/2kTk38Y

[CANant]

Sorry for the almost identical post. I was having connection issues and didn’t think it posted so I rewrote it. Unfortunately I can’t delete the 1st one

[UnrealSparks]

Sorry for the almost identical post. I was having connection issues and didn’t think it posted so I rewrote it. Unfortunately I can’t delete the 1st one

Don't worry, it's not a big deal.

By the way, a temperature between 8-10 °C is perfect, there is nothing you should be afraid of. Just make sure they always have a clean water supply during the whole winter and you're good.

Last winter I hibernated my Camponotus Barbaricus colonies for the first time at around 12 °C and everything went smoothly.
Oh, and the best part is they started in spring with 8 workers and exploded ever since. I'm now probably at around 50-60 workers with plenty of eggs ready for the next spring!