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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2012 4:38:43 GMT 1
I have a Pogonomyrmex barbatus queen that has several workers that develop to adults but then they die. I give them protein but I'm not sure why this keeps occurring. Any suggestions? Also should I invest in obtaining something to keep their chamber at a higher temperature?
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Post by Myrm on Oct 16, 2012 6:41:04 GMT 1
Where are these ants kept? What exactly are you feeding them? How old are the workers when they die? What temperature is the room you keep them in?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2012 8:11:15 GMT 1
Also are you feed them seeds?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2012 16:15:57 GMT 1
Yes but they seem disinterested in them.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2012 17:02:36 GMT 1
Hmm I'm not sure. Pogonomyrmex are not native to where I am so can't really help you. The only thing I know is that the queens are semi-claustrial and they are seed harvesters.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2012 18:38:18 GMT 1
Yeah knew that much. I've never raised a colony from a single queen.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2012 7:05:45 GMT 1
What Kind of seeds are you feeding? I read that for young colony's its better to go for a seed with a easy to peel shell, like grass seeds, or you could de-shell them yourself. I would Imagine that a diet of seed is important to harvester ants, I think it is supposed to be the main staple of their diet and an occasional bit of protein now and again. But im not sure also
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2012 7:14:47 GMT 1
I have just read this in a link I have found, hope it is of some help, ' Kentucky blue grass seeds provide an excellent diet for Pogonomyrmex queens, The seeds of most grass species should provide a good diet for seed-harvester ants because grass seeds typically lack toxic secondary chemicals. When buying grass seeds for your ants, be careful to ensure that the seeds have not been treated with toxic fungicides that typically give the seeds a pinkish tint. Colonies do exceptionally well if you also add small bugs, such as flies, crickets, etc. and/or a small piece of fruit. These additional food items speed colony growth and production of sexuals.'www.notesfromunderground.org/archive/vol101/methods/pogonomyrmex.html
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2012 3:19:42 GMT 1
Alright I'll try that I might be making them an outworld.
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