ANTSTORE World of Ants

[Eman]

Well maybe they died due hibernation.
I gotta hibernate mine as well but they got so many eggs and pupas that I don't what to kill them, gonna reduce the temps slowly till December and then I gonna cut off the warming cable.

How many workers do you have at the moment ? I am at 5 now ^^

[AntsNational]

Well maybe they died due hibernation.
I gotta hibernate mine as well but they got so many eggs and pupas that I don't what to kill them, gonna reduce the temps slowly till December and then I gonna cut off the warming cable.

How many workers do you have at the moment ? I am at 5 now ^^

Hello Eman, I'm very happy to hear that you have 5 workers! You won't kill off the remaining brood as the ants will either use them for winter protein or they may even survive until the spring. I currently have 6 fat larvae and 2 workers. You should create a log in this forum for others to read as well! These ants will hibernate at around 5-10 degrees but I think can go colder. All of my native ants are hibernating! From what I had previously observed last winter the heat will most likely not change the ants' lethargic hibernation behaviour, the queen will not lay eggs, and its just more natural for the ant's 'body clock' to expect the cold weather at this time of year. I wish you the best of luck!!
Cheers

[AntsNational]

One of the workers has died. This leaves the colony with one worker and 6 larvae. I am not worried about it though. Come spring this colony will perk up.

[Morphium]

Hi,

your hibernating your Camponotus cruentatus at 5-10 degrees? I think its to cold. They are from southern parts of Europe and a tempreture between 12-15C° is the normal way.
Also only for 3months from November till end of January.

Good luck and greetings

[AntsNational]

Hi,

your hibernating your Camponotus Cruentatus at 5-10 degrees? I think its to cold. They are from southern parts of Europe and a tempreture between 12-15C° is the normal way.
Also only for 3months from November till end of January.

Good luck and greetings

I will take that into consideration, thankyou!

Cheers

[AntsNational]

Question to all readers:

I've got a friend who also keeps Camponotus cruenatus. There is a slight problem with his queen starting a colony. She will lay a batch of eggs, but will eat them up within a week of laying them, one by one. He doesn't take her out often, and yet she still seems to be showing signs of stress. How can I help him with that?

[Morphium]

HI,

Hmm its hard to say, what the problem is.
Often they eat their eggs because of stress. Maybe the Nest is near by a Computerbox or Tv? Near by a door, wich gets closed to hard?
My queen reacts very hard to Vibration. Just a little fingertip on the Nest causes a big amount of stress. He should reduce that.
Other point could be, that she doesnt like the Nest. If it does not fit, she will eat her eggs. But if she is still in a Glastube with a Watertank, it should be ok.

For now he should hibernate her and see what happens after the break.

Good luck and sorry for my bad english.

Greetings

[AntsNational]

HI,

Hmm its hard to say, what the problem is.
Often they eat their eggs because of stress. Maybe the Nest is near by a Computerbox or Tv? Near by a door, wich gets closed to hard?
My queen reacts very hard to Vibration. Just a little fingertip on the Nest causes a big amount of stress. He should reduce that.
Other point could be, that she doesnt like the Nest. If it does not fit, she will eat her eggs. But if she is still in a Glastube with a Watertank, it should be ok.

For now he should hibernate her and see what happens after the break.

Good luck and sorry for my bad english.

Greetings

Hey Morphium,

I sent him the link to your answer and he will read it when he has time. I'm certain he will consider all possibilities as he's told me that he will switch them into a small nesting media. Those are some good things to consider and your english is completely understandable. You speak it well and your answer is much appreciated.

Cheers,
Vas

[Morphium]

Im glad if im able to help. Just started with this species too, im not a Professor but i try my very best.

Greetings

[AntsNational]

Although only 1 out of the 2 workers still survives, I noticed that the larvae have begun to grow. Their hibernation period seems to have ended and they're now beginning to feed voraciously once again. Here's a portion of a high-res picture I took with my new Nikon D5100 with a standard 18-55mm lens.

Cheers

[Eman]

Quite weird mate, but I'm experiencing the same. Before the hibernation time my colony had a small pile of eggs, but it disappeared (don't know if they eat them), just left the 1 pupa (the only one the colony had). But today at temps between 10/15 degrees (in my room) I just spotted my queen laying a egg. And they look like they are starting to being a little more active.
It's quite coincidence but just started raining yesterday, and the temps outside just jumped, I think they felt that ^^
Is your colony hibernation over ?
I'm thinking if I should turn on the heaters or not.

[AntsNational]

Hey Eman,

Good to hear from you! I believe my colony hibernation is over because they're active and the larvae have doubled in size. I'm excited to see some pupae on the way soon! I'd keep them at room temperature until you notice development. But as this is my first time with a south-european species, I'd consult perhaps with someone who's hibernated these ants previously.

Cheers,
Vasi

[DigiSERBIA]

Damn C.cruentatus goes out of hibernation so fast??? i think i should get one queen then

[AntsNational]

I believe 3 months of hibernation is sufficient until next winter, but that is yet to be properly tested. Last year around this time I had C. pennsylvanicus virgin queens flying in my terrarium.
Cheers,
Vasi

[ProXi]

I have a queen and 4 workers of this specie.
I also have to problem that they eat their brood.
They don't seem to accept different types off food too.

I give them a lot of rest but that also doens't help.
Looks like the same problem you guys have.