Bitterlime's Acromyrmex octospinosis colony

Let everyone see the story of your colony(ies) over time. Pictures, developments, success and failures, what works / what doesn't, and your plans for expansion as time goes by!
Post Reply
User avatar
Acromyrmexbob
Site Admin
Posts: 2199
Joined: Tue Nov 24, 2015 10:32 pm

Re: Bitterlime's Acromyrmex octospinosis colony

Post by Acromyrmexbob » Thu Aug 11, 2016 6:09 pm

Its interesting to see how different colonies react to different forage. In my ant room where all the colonies are in identical environmental conditions, all of the nests (around 100 just now) all take exactly the same leaves.Its only when they leave and go to other setups that they develop other preferences so I would say that anecdotal evidence supports the view that their leaf preference is based on the conditions present in the fungus chamber and the availability of suitable sized workers to cut or carry different material.

User avatar
Bitterlime
Minim
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2015 4:59 pm

Re: Bitterlime's Acromyrmex octospinosis colony

Post by Bitterlime » Thu Sep 01, 2016 7:42 pm

sorry I haven't updated in a while but my colony is cutting lots of leaves and they seem to be doing well!

User avatar
Andyj
Site Admin
Posts: 505
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 7:26 pm
Location: Sunny Devon
Contact:

Re: Bitterlime's Acromyrmex octospinosis colony

Post by Andyj » Thu Sep 01, 2016 8:33 pm

Good news :) What foods are their favourites, and are you using anything from supermarkets ?

User avatar
Bitterlime
Minim
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2015 4:59 pm

Re: Bitterlime's Acromyrmex octospinosis colony

Post by Bitterlime » Thu Sep 01, 2016 11:48 pm

Their favourite foods are:
Rose leaves
Rose petals
Buddleia leaves
Raspberry leaves
Grapes
Almonds
Apples


I get all the leaves from my garden but the apples, almonds and grapes are from the supermarket.

User avatar
Andyj
Site Admin
Posts: 505
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 7:26 pm
Location: Sunny Devon
Contact:

Re: Bitterlime's Acromyrmex octospinosis colony

Post by Andyj » Fri Sep 02, 2016 6:44 pm

I tried Buddleia today for the first time and they showed some interest, mainly with the flowers but not enough for them to really bother with sadly.

Sprouts are flavour of the month for mine followed by
Bramble
Apple
Almonds

and just now iv'e seen them cut a piece of Ivy, this would be ideal. :)

User avatar
Bitterlime
Minim
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2015 4:59 pm

Re: Bitterlime's Acromyrmex octospinosis colony

Post by Bitterlime » Sat Sep 03, 2016 1:45 pm

Yeah it would be great for the winter! I hadn't thought of trying Ivy, I will put some in but mine are fussy eaters!

User avatar
Leafcutter
Minim
Posts: 256
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2015 4:12 pm

Re: Bitterlime's Acromyrmex octospinosis colony

Post by Leafcutter » Sat Sep 03, 2016 2:20 pm

Bitterlime wrote:Yeah it would be great for the winter! I hadn't thought of trying Ivy, I will put some in but mine are fussy eaters!
I found ivy to dry up very quickly so my Atta colony didn't cut it that much. Be interesting to hear how your Acromyrmex colony gets on.

Atta cephalotes (2019)
Camponotus detritus (2018)
Camponotus maculatus (2018)

User avatar
Andyj
Site Admin
Posts: 505
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 7:26 pm
Location: Sunny Devon
Contact:

Re: Bitterlime's Acromyrmex octospinosis colony

Post by Andyj » Sat Sep 03, 2016 5:52 pm

After a day mine only cut two pieces from the Ivy, so it's not a winner. :(

User avatar
Bitterlime
Minim
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2015 4:59 pm

Re: Bitterlime's Acromyrmex octospinosis colony

Post by Bitterlime » Sun Sep 04, 2016 3:31 pm

I put some Ivy leaves in last night but unfortunately they haven't touched it! I will keep it in for a bit longer but I doubt they will take it! :(

User avatar
Acromyrmexbob
Site Admin
Posts: 2199
Joined: Tue Nov 24, 2015 10:32 pm

Re: Bitterlime's Acromyrmex octospinosis colony

Post by Acromyrmexbob » Thu Sep 15, 2016 10:28 am

There are many types of ivy, some is good, some is bad. Ivy are a bit like people, you get nice ones and bad asses!

Post Reply