Lol bugbard ! That sounds epic! You gotta take some pics and show that to the world!
Nice ants and nice pics!
Keep going =)
I go through 3 forums US/UK and this one. Many Camponotus species seem slow and difficult to start up so I like to start with small colonies. I will post on the colony soon.
I took them out of hibernation at the same time as my other Camponotus colony. They seem healthy and their gaster stayed bloated throughout the full duration of the hibernation period. I could have pulled them out a week or two sooner but I didn't have any food ready.
The brood are mostly in the mid larvae stages unlike the other colony but number less than 50.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTvzBUbXSNs
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/akaant/8.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/akaant/9.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/akaant/10.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/akaant/11.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/akaant/12.jpg
The larvae are growing exponentially. The workers seem to behave oddly towards some of the larvae by cleaning them excessively or nipping them. The queen started laying eggs some time between (4/28-5/3) with 12-16 eggs so far. One death accrued so far probably due to natural causes.
unusual behavior.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etDB-huuKyg&list=UUimi8yYfHbsk2xiarcfGTmw&index=2&feature=plcp
majors feeding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvKZyrM2Z7k&list=UUimi8yYfHbsk2xiarcfGTmw&index=1&feature=plcp
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/akaant/ca7.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/akaant/ca6.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/akaant/ca5.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/akaant/ca4.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/akaant/ca3.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/akaant/ca2.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d165/akaant/ca1.jpg