Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2011 18:56:03 GMT 1
Picture of Camponotus modoc copyright Alex Wild
Taxonomy: Formicinae (Camponotus)
Colony type: Monogynous (Single queen)
Queen: Fully Claustral
Color: Shiny, black, sometimes red-legged
Size: Queen 15-17 mm (1.5-1.7 cm) / Workers - Varies, smallest 6-7 mm (0.6-0.7 cm), largest 14-15 mm (1.4-1.5 cm)
Distribution: North America
Nutrition: Honey water, fruits, insects
Temperature: Room temperature is fine, growth will increase if temperature is a few degrees higher than room temp.
Hibernation: Yes
Air humidity: Moderate climate
Nest building: Natural; Soil, Rotting or decaying wood. Artificial; Pumice, Y-Tong, Plaster, Glass, ect.
Planting: Not Necessary - Camponotus will keep aphid herds if given the opportunity.
Class: Easy
Camponotus modoc and Camponotus pennsylvanicus are virtually identical, and the only way to identify the difference is by location or genetic analysis. Camponotus pennsylvanicus is located east of the rocky mountains, and Camponotus modoc is located west. In most circumstances, C. penn. has all black legs, while C. modoc shows red-tinted legs. These are most identifiable in majors. Camponotus modoc/penn. make their nests in rotting or decaying wood. This is why they are nicknamed "Carpenter Ants". Camponotus modoc/penn, while they have the ability to shoot formic acid, they almost always use brute force when dealing with an opponent/prey. Most of the time, mature colonies will have from 800-10,000 individuals. Camponotus also are known to make satellite nests. Camponotus have quite the sweet tooth, and will take loads of honey-water. They also enjoy insects quite allot.
While Camponotus modoc/penn. are a very easy species to keep, you must be careful (if you are keeping them) since they are known to cause extensive damage to buildings.
Camponotus modoc/penn. always found their colonies with one queen. After mating, the queen detaches her wings and then searches for a suitable home. Normally, she will find some rotting/decaying wood and she will then construct a chamber in it, seals the chamber, and begins egg production.
Queens usually produce from 3 to 8 nantics.
Mating flights range from early spring to the very beginning of summer. Most commonly, the flights take place between April and June.
Queens usually pop up around 11 o'clock, and are found very quickly. Queens can easily be found throughout the day of the Nuptial Flights. They are quite shiny in the sunlight and do look somewhat like the majors, but with a larger thorax and gaster.
Camponotus modoc/penn. are one of my favorite ant species because of their size, and their reliability to start a colony, whether they produce one worker or seven at the beginning.
C. modoc/penn. are easily kept in a test tube until the colony reaches about 10-15 workers. Since these ants are wood-dwellers, most pumice, plaster, hydrostone, and Y-Tong nests are ideal. Slim and Basin nests are not. I do not advise trying to keep them in that kind of habitat.
Tip: Honey-water is very readily accepted in this species. Make sure it is available to them as much as possible.d
It should be noted that Camponotus in general are very sensitive to some plastics and over-exposure can cause death. The washing of all plastic components is advised.
C. modoc/penn. eat insects, nectar, honey, sugar water, and fruits. They also need access to fresh water at all times.
While Camponotus can use formic acid, they rarely do so. They are very easy to keep, and are suitable for kids 11 and up (In my opinion), depending on maturity level. Camponotus modoc/penn are very curious ants who I often observe exploring their world. Petroleum Jelly/Vaseline is often used as an escape deterrant.
C. modoc/penn hibernate during the winter months. While not completely necessary, I advise that you hibernate a colony for at least a month or so, to give them a nice break.
Like in most temperate ants, hibernation is thought to lead to longer life-spans.