Leaf Cutting Ant Forum

Hello,
in this report I will show you my Acromyrmex crassispinus Queen and the course of the colony later.
Since 1,5 Years,I search this species!
Since 15.12.15 I have one founding queen.
As the queen arrived,she was in a XL testtube.
The shop pushed the queen with extra Fungus as help: I put it on a 20x10 Tank to feed: I keep the Temperature between 25-26°
At the first days I can not see any brood...No Eggs,No Larvaes,No Cocoon(Sorry,I don't know the right word in english )
But one day later I can see something This was the first report of my Acromyrmex crassispinus.
If you have suggestions,please tell me!

Best regards,
Pierre

Update 18.12.15

After 3 days,my Queen cut some leaves the first time in the new home
I offer Blackberry and rose (on the contrary to my Atta cephalotes,she cuts Blackberry very well.I think,I will not have any problems in winter )
Here you can see the first pieces in the fungus: I'll get back if something special will happend

Best regards,
Pierre

Update 28.12.15

during the 10 days much has happened!
The fungus has been completely remodeled.
Now the fungus has perfect size for the founding queen ))
You also can see that the fungus has a good color: Also something other happend ))
She has the first cocoon !!!! YEAH ^^ Here you can see a big white Larvae,too.
In few days,she becomes a cocoon

Best regards,
Pierre

Update 29.12.15

Today I build the startersetup for later.
I will move the colony with the first 10-20 worker..I think,in this time they would be stronger and I is no problem.
I went to a discounter and I've bought 3 very clearly containers (Price was 2,99€ per box).
The little cylinder are 10cm long,16cm high and the diameter is 11cm.
Little but good for beginning I must say,that crassispinus colonys are small! Round about 20.000 Workers..This species has little fungus,too
First I drill 2 holes per cylinder (32mm) I take 2 covers and drill a big hole (63mm) So i can mount talcum-powder or Oil on it ;P
I drill on the cover for the funguscontainer some 5mm holes for ventilation.
To make the cover sure,i stick a grid with hot glue on both sites. Now i can't add another pictures so I must stop for this report

Now I continue

I hope the Acromyrmex don't bite the grid too much like my Atta colony xD
It was important for me to stake out the cylinders,so I not want to stick all cylinders with hotglue together..
So i must create some Interconnects for the cylinders.
I had some sleeve which I grind on a grindstone
Et voila: perfect Interconnects ^^
So i stick them in the holes In the basement I have over 14Metres small tubes...
From fungus to Trash the way is 20cm long. From Food to fungus 25cm.
Later when the colony grows well ,I would expand the way clearly! Not so bad,what do you mean?

Soooooo,thats it!
I will report when the first worker hatchs! Now the Queen has 2 cocoons,2 larvaes and a few eggs ^^
The oldest cocoon has now black eggs,So I think,it will discolor the next days brown

Best regards,
Pierre

Great work! when you say "As the queen arrived, she was in a XL test tube.
The shop pushed the queen with extra Fungus as help:"
Does your seller not include fungus with the Queens? Can you tell me how may euros you paid and who you got it from?
I'm very nosey!
Looking forward to updates on how it works out for you! sean x

Fantastic journal entries Pierre, I really enjoyed reading them and look forward to updates. You definitely have a some good DIY skills

Hey

Great work! when you say "As the queen arrived, she was in a XL test tube.
The shop pushed the queen with extra Fungus as help:"
Does your seller not include fungus with the Queens? Can you tell me how may euros you paid and who you got it from?

As the queen arrived,she had very much fungus.
Look at the german store:http://www.myants.de
He offers this species
He has collected them himself ^^

I really enjoyed reading them and look forward to updates. You definitely have a some good DIY skills

Thank you! I would give my best

Best regards,
Pierre

Hey guys!
Today I can report something special )))))

Today,after exactly 14 Days ,the first worker hatched
I'm very happy!!!

here you can see the cocoon: And here the worker: And at the last I made a little Video:
Here you can see the Worker very good


The queen have now 2-3 Cocoons,A few eggs and larvaes

Best regards,
Pierre

Hey everybody,

I would like to hear your opinion!
How long should I wait until I transpose the colony? 20 Worker?

Thank you

Best regards,
Pierre