Hello,
here is my blog of A cromyrmex spec.
It's in duch, but I hope you enjoy the photos.
click here
They are realy nice buddy.
Everyone check out those pictures of these nice ants. ;)
Nice photos, Jimmy.
I have been colecting acros queens, but the colony never works, I end up releasing them. How long takes for the queen start the fungi colony? Here never happened.
Hugs
Well im not 100% on this but im almost sure you need a little fungus first. Also are the queens you are collecting fertile?
Queens take a small amount of fungus from the nest they come from which they use to start a new garden.
You might have more luck finding a new colony (under a year old), and digging it up. These young colonies should be marked by a small turret of earth and tiny foraging trail, and the small garden will be a foot or so below I think, not sure on the depth. But at least with these ants you should be able to capture most of the colony along with the queen if you find the fungus garden.
About the fungus, they think the queen take a little bit from the old nest with her, but there are not sure. Still a lot of infestigation going on.
I don't really know how they start a fungus garden on there own. If you find that out i'm sure you have world news in your hands. :)
according to the books they carry it in a pouch in their mouth... each queen carries a bit.
Acro nests dont have turrets usually just Atta.
The best way to start new queens is to have a large pet colony and take some fungus from that to give it to the new queen. You need to take off al but the smallest of minims and the fungus is just a small spoonful to get her started quicker. Humidity is key.
cheers
Acro nests dont have turrets usually just Atta.
Sorry, I thought they both did :oops: ; I have seen a couple of pics of acro turrets.