28.7.06
My new Messor Capitatus queen arrived with a 2 workers and a few pupae, no deaths
. They arrived earlier than I thought so had to set up a formicarium quite fast. I placed the test tube in a small aquarium with sand covering it and let the queen settle for a while as she was very stressed. This is only a temporary nest until the colony gets bigger so I can observe them better. I took out the bung and the queen decided to come out, luckily she was only seeing the new surrounding and went rushing back in the tube, a couple of workers also decided to scout around but only a couple of inches from the entrance and every now and then the queen would take a peek outside to make sure everything was okay. Later on a worker started barricading the entrance of the tube with sand. I also added some grass seed and a fly which where both used as building material. Unluckily I didn’t have a thermometer so I just had to guess the temperature and hope they where okay.
29.7.06
Today the worker is still collecting sand and barricading the entrance, I put in there some grass which is also being used as building material. I finally got a thermometer and the temperature is around 22-26 degrees, usually around 24+. A light goes on during the day and turns off at night using time switch. I took a peek inside with a red light and seen that some new workers would be here in a little while hopefully. Not much else happened so far.
31.7.06
Today I was experimenting with diet, I gave them some Dandelion seeds and a bit of apple as I couldn’t find much else. The worker started using the dandelion seeds as building material but as I swept the sand away I noticed the seeds in there cut away from the bushy bit. As for the apple the worker seemed to like it very much and kept eating it. The queen seems fine and doesn’t move that much and the workers are now just staying in there with her at the time being. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to take many picks yet as I didn’t have a camera but I should have some soon. Hopefully the new workers should come soon.
01.8.06
I managed to get a photo, nothing amazing but it gives an idea. I have ordered some red pvc so hopefully i'll be able to see them better.
I'll update as the colony progresses
I've managed to count 3 pupae, 4 larve and around 7 new eggs which is good.
