ANTSTORE World of Ants

[bugsy]

I purchased this colony with 1 queen and 3 workers in January 2011, I thought I'd make a thread as nobody on the English site has on this species. This is a large Australian species that doesn't hibernate and will produce majors. I am aware that Camponotus species are slow to grow however these are developing very quick. I give them a constant supply of sugar and honey solution as they require a lot. They are also very aggressive and attack pretty much any insect I put in the tank. There must be around 100 workers and the same again in larvae with new eggs being laid all the time, no majors yet but it wont be long.

[mtrein]

Great!

What size are they, more or less?

You should see Camponotus rufipes, majors are 15mm big and their bite draws blood

I have a queen, she has layed lots of eggs (which should become larva next week, I believe).

[Andie]

Nice Bugsy, i love the customized bit and also, how nocturnal is this species ?

[Eman]

Those ants are so big !! And the queen color looks like a racing car! Lol
It's great your colony had a quick development!

At the formicarium, did you made those drills and fill it with cotton ? It's for moist propose ?

[bugsy]

Hi guys, mtrein the queen is 20 mm, workers vary from 10 mm to 13 mm and majors also hit 15 mm possibly a little bigger, yes I don't think I would like a bite from one either.
Andy this species is active from the evening time, they perk up about 16:00hrs and forge in groups, however there out during the day too. The tank was just was an idea I had and to be fair its worked well. I'm guessing it can hold 2000 + before its outgrown and is great for viewing.

The white bits on the front of the tank are actually velcro sticky pads, i wrap some crafted cardboard over the nest area to keep it dark for them. That way I can remove it for viewing whenever I want. The reservoir I built into the top of the y-tong, I fill it with water once a week then plug it up to prevent drowning etc, i wasn't sure if this would work when I first built it.

[Eman]

Oh yeah that looks, to keep them in the dark.
About the water tanks it may work, I have the same system for my Camponotus with 3cm distance between the tank and the gallery's and it works perfectly!

[bugsy]

Its official I now have twice as many larvae than ants, I've counted about 200 in various stages. They are also consuming 5 crickets a day.

[Ants-Fan]

Hello bugsy!
Very nice Ant-Species you have!
Theyre have twice many larvae then workers? Then i that a mark, that
you kep theyre good.

Good Luck
Ants-Fan

[adam james]

Wow really good looking species bugsy , i will look forward to following your progress with them mate

Regards

Adam

[bugsy]

Feeding time.

[DigiSERBIA]

I think i saw this species when i was in Egypt is that possible?

[bugsy]

Don't think so, wrong continent.

[Ants-Fan]

Hello DIGISERBIA!

Camponotus nigriceps life in Australia.
In Ägypt you was see Camponotus sanctus or Camponotus maculatus,
theyre a little big alike Camponotus nigriceps,

Ants-Fan

[DigiSERBIA]

Hello DIGISERBIA!

Camponotus nigriceps life in Australia.
In Ägypt you was see Camponotus sanctus or Camponotus maculatus,
theyre a little big alike Camponotus nigriceps,

Ants-Fan

Yea i know they are from australia thats why i asked becaouse i thought maybe they live in Egypt where its also hot allot ! but they look THE SAME !! everything

[bugsy]

Larvae