Kale^^: Camponotus dalmaticus (2. Sep 2008 14:30)

Getting a colony of C. dalmaticus (5+ workers and queen) and i'd like to get some information for these.

They come from south europe, so i guess 25-30 celsius temperature but i have no idea about moisture. I think i'm putting them in a ytong by the way. (They nest under stones, rarely in ground). I'll put them in a 20cm high 30cm wide 40 cm long basin with sand/mould and the ytong next to glass.

JimmyVe: Re: Camponotus Dalmaticus (2. Sep 2008 16:42)

You can always find some info at antweb. ;)
http://www.antweb.org/description.do?rank=species&genus=camponotus&name=dalmaticus

They will do fine in a y-tong. About the humidity, i can not say (no experience with these ants) but you can try it out. Make the y-tong moist for 1/4 and if they stay al the time in the moist part you can make the moist place bigger. If they stay in the dry part, make that one bigger. ;)

Kale^^: Re: Camponotus Dalmaticus (2. Sep 2008 18:57)

I looked it up, not much info on antweb on these kind of species. I'll go head first and hope they like my setup.

JimmyVe: Re: Camponotus Dalmaticus (3. Sep 2008 15:57)

I'm sure they will like the y-tong. ;) Post some pictures of the setup and the ants. ;)

Kale^^: Re: Camponotus Dalmaticus (3. Sep 2008 16:40)

I will, for sure. As soon as i get the ants & my camera back.

Kale^^: Re: Camponotus Dalmaticus (7. Sep 2008 11:53)

Kuva(060).jpg
I think i should carve the backside of the nest so it would look more natural..?

Kale^^: Re: Camponotus Dalmaticus (7. Sep 2008 12:31)

Done. I think this nest is big enough until there is about 70-80 workers.
Kuva(061).jpg
Uh i think i need to buy some aquarium sand to fill the floor of the tank.

JimmyVe: Re: Camponotus Dalmaticus (7. Sep 2008 16:18)

Don't use to much sand or they will dig and make there nest in there. ;) The setup looks nice.

SteveUK28: Re: Camponotus Dalmaticus (8. Sep 2008 12:21)

Would i be right in saying those holes are gonna be filled with water to make it damp?? Ive got one of my ytongs like that and it is not working very well i have to refill it like twice a day. I was thinking of letting it dry out then fill the bottom and some of the sides with selant.. so that it only escapes through the top like i want... What you think of that Jimmy ???

Kale^^: Re: Camponotus Dalmaticus (8. Sep 2008 17:01)

I'm going to put about 5 centimeters of sand in there, but i will keep it dry (then they should not make nest there?)
Also i'm going to glue tubes in the holes to they can store more water. Or maybe i'll make more holes side-to side?