Camponotus Pennsylvanicus - Seasonal Diet? Growth Patterns?

[UserJB007]

Hello!

I'll start with a little background to frame my questions

I live in Albany, NY and earlier this summer a Camponotus Penn. colony moved into a houseplant of mine. I was able to remove safely the queen, brood, and most of the workers and decided to keep them. This is a DREAM of mine so I want to keep them happy!

When I captured the colony, I'd estimate we had about 50/60 workers and a massive amount of brood and pupa (no # estimate) from that time. When I captured them, I noticed there was a pretty even mix of small/young larva to mature larva and pupa. Today, things are EXTREMELY different.

Currently, I'm estimating about 200/225 workers (tons eclosing every day) with at least another 150 pupa. The interesting thing is there are barely ANY larva. The queen however in the last few weeks has pumped out hundreds of eggs in small clusters all over the nest. If I was guessing I'd say around 300-400 in the last 2 weeks. I've noticed they have stopped taking much protein, which I imagine they don't need at the moment with fewer young. I'm curious if this is a normal seasonal cycle for these ants or some residual shock from having captured them from the "wild."

I did see an article that seemed to indicate this could be seasonal:
https://academic.oup.com/ee/article/31/6/977/452582

Once all of these young start demanding food, I imagine they will be needing tons of protein. If so and all is well, do I expect to have 400/500 more workers before hibernating them? Or do you think they will wait to eclose for next year? I know I packed a bit in here, but I'm hoping with how common this species is you can put my concerns to rest.

Thanks AC crew!

JB

[Hawkeye]

Hello!

I'll start with a little background to frame my questions

I live in Albany, NY and earlier this summer a Camponotus Penn. colony moved into a houseplant of mine. I was able to remove safely the queen, brood, and most of the workers and decided to keep them. This is a DREAM of mine so I want to keep them happy!

When I captured the colony, I'd estimate we had about 50/60 workers and a massive amount of brood and pupa (no # estimate) from that time. When I captured them, I noticed there was a pretty even mix of small/young larva to mature larva and pupa. Today, things are EXTREMELY different.

Currently, I'm estimating about 200/225 workers (tons eclosing every day) with at least another 150 pupa. The interesting thing is there are barely ANY larva. The queen however in the last few weeks has pumped out hundreds of eggs in small clusters all over the nest. If I was guessing I'd say around 300-400 in the last 2 weeks. I've noticed they have stopped taking much protein, which I imagine they don't need at the moment with fewer young. I'm curious if this is a normal seasonal cycle for these ants or some residual shock from having captured them from the "wild."

I did see an article that seemed to indicate this could be seasonal:
https://academic.oup.com/ee/article/31/6/977/452582

Once all of these young start demanding food, I imagine they will be needing tons of protein. If so and all is well, do I expect to have 400/500 more workers before hibernating them? Or do you think they will wait to eclose for next year? I know I packed a bit in here, but I'm hoping with how common this species is you can put my concerns to rest.

Thanks AC crew!

JB

Hi there!

Your species is a 'hibernating' one, so they will slow down to a halt over the winter months. The queen lays eggs in batches rather than continously, so it actually makes sense that there aren't any larva at the moment. That way there will be a new wave of ants ready to forage for the next batch of larva.

[UserJB007]

I really appreciate the input. As a follow up question:

I expect I'll need to hibernate them in about 2mo. living in Upstate NY (which I'll tackle the how in the coming weeks).

Will this mega clutch of larva cocoon before hibernation? Or would they wait to until they become active again in the spring? The later seems to be more likely, but with the timing of this clutch it seems to be right on the edge.

I'm likely over thinking, but appreciate the feedback!

[Hawkeye]

I really appreciate the input. As a follow up question:

I expect I'll need to hibernate them in about 2mo. living in Upstate NY (which I'll tackle the how in the coming weeks).

Will this mega clutch of larva cocoon before hibernation? Or would they wait to until they become active again in the spring? The later seems to be more likely, but with the timing of this clutch it seems to be right on the edge.

I'm likely over thinking, but appreciate the feedback!

I guess you'll just have to wait and see. Keep an eye on their dietary requirements, it's likely to go up.

[Firespitter]

So I also caught a wild colony and so far they haven’t accepted anything I’ve attempted to feed them, what have you been using?

[Hawkeye]

So I also caught a wild colony and so far they haven’t accepted anything I’ve attempted to feed them, what have you been using?

Spiders, flies, mosquitoes, bugs all sorts really. It depends on the size of the colony how much food they need and how big a prey they feel comfortable with