Black carpenter ant: A record of approximately 1.5 months from the emergence of a new queen to the birth of worker ants.
The black carpenter ant is often recommended as a good species for beginners in ant keeping. "Arisan Niki" on note has compiled a detailed account, with photos, of the journey from collecting a new queen to the birth of worker ants, making the process very easy to understand.
On May 16th, a new queen was collected from the ground and placed in a simple nest made from a pudding cup for observation. About a week later, egg-laying was confirmed, and by the end of May, there were 12 eggs. Around the beginning of June, the eggs hatched, and the period when the larvae grow noticeably each day is the most interesting part. By the end of June, the larvae pupated and formed cocoons, and on July 11th, two worker ants emerged. This marks the overcoming of the first major hurdle in colony formation, approximately 1.5 months after collection.
The article also offers practical advice on feeding the new queen. While some people provide honey, it's noted that in the wild, the queen can survive without eating anything until the first worker ants are born, so it's not necessary to force-feed her. After the workers emerge, the focus shifts to establishing a food source and finding the right balance between sugary and protein-rich food.
The conclusion of the article was particularly impactful. While black carpenter ants are relatively easy to raise and grow quickly, the lifespan of the queen varies by species, ranging from 10 to 30 years. Keeping an ant means taking responsibility for that individual until its death. What's good about this article, especially for beginners, is that it addresses the necessary mindset and commitment involved.
Source: Arisan Niki (note)
On May 16th, a new queen was collected from the ground and placed in a simple nest made from a pudding cup for observation. About a week later, egg-laying was confirmed, and by the end of May, there were 12 eggs. Around the beginning of June, the eggs hatched, and the period when the larvae grow noticeably each day is the most interesting part. By the end of June, the larvae pupated and formed cocoons, and on July 11th, two worker ants emerged. This marks the overcoming of the first major hurdle in colony formation, approximately 1.5 months after collection.
The article also offers practical advice on feeding the new queen. While some people provide honey, it's noted that in the wild, the queen can survive without eating anything until the first worker ants are born, so it's not necessary to force-feed her. After the workers emerge, the focus shifts to establishing a food source and finding the right balance between sugary and protein-rich food.
The conclusion of the article was particularly impactful. While black carpenter ants are relatively easy to raise and grow quickly, the lifespan of the queen varies by species, ranging from 10 to 30 years. Keeping an ant means taking responsibility for that individual until its death. What's good about this article, especially for beginners, is that it addresses the necessary mindset and commitment involved.
Source: Arisan Niki (note)
Comments 0
Leave the first comment, in any language.
Log in to comment