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ZThijs: Tapinoma nigerrimum colony (2. Jun 2013 18:22)

Hi there,

Since two weeks now i have a colony of +/-100 Tapinoma nigerrimum ants. Amazing species, i like them very much. But there is not much known about this species. When i was looking at different species of ants this specie was categorized as ' harvester ant'. But now they have changed that information already.

The colony is doing it very well. I have some brood and i already saw new little working crawling around (see pics). I noticed that not many people have this specie. I have a bit of a question: does anyone have experience with the nesting behaviour of this specie? My colony 'stick' there brood to the glass (also see pics). Is this normal? They like the heating lamp a lot, maybe that's why they have there brood there...?

Well, i'll keep you updated how my colony develops.

Later!

ZThijs

Gast - ehem. User: Re: Tapinoma nigerrimum colony (3. Jun 2013 10:51)

Hi,

nice pictures thank you for sharing them.

I also keep these ants for a few weeks. They like heat a lot as you already said. Thats also the reason for carrying brood to the glass, since there it is warmer than in the middle of the farm.

I think the reason why so few are keeping this species is there very similar look to Lasius niger. However Tapionoma nigerrimum is a lot faster and more active even at smaller colony size.

ZThijs: Re: Tapinoma nigerrimum colony (3. Jun 2013 11:32)

Hi,

I will keep sharing pictures in the future. What do you feed them? My colony do like the honey a lot.

Well the colony is very active as you already said. If you have any pictures please share.

ZThijs

ZThijs: Re: Tapinoma nigerrimum colony (10. Jun 2013 19:50)

Hi there,

The colony is on the move again and find a new spot to place their brood and dig around. Down here I put some pics again. They really like the heating lamp (around 28 celsius). They also put all sand on the glass again. I did some reading and it makes pretty sense now. They try to focus the heating 'sunlight' by building earthen structure ("solarium") for the brood incubation. They say it is very common with these ants. Well enjoy the pics.

Cheers,
ZThijs

ZThijs: Re: Tapinoma nigerrimum colony (12. Jun 2013 13:06)

After just two days the new nest side is taking shape real quick.

ZThijs: Re: Tapinoma nigerrimum colony (14. Jun 2013 16:09)

Nest is getting larger and larger. When the temperature is above 25 degrees they take the brood outside.