Acromyrmex Octospinosus (Arrowing)

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!
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Atta solider
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Re: Acromyrmex Octospinosus (Arrowing)

Post by Atta solider » Fri Nov 22, 2019 9:24 am

Is the temperature and humidity still the same in the nest?
Looking good.

Atta solider
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Re: Acromyrmex Octospinosus (Arrowing)

Post by Atta solider » Sat Nov 23, 2019 7:33 pm

Have you tried to feeding them Brussels? Make sure you wash them very well, and cut them in half.

Arrowing
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Re: Acromyrmex Octospinosus (Arrowing)

Post by Arrowing » Tue Nov 26, 2019 7:58 am

The temperature is the same, humidity is hard to say because we do not have a hygrometer. I sprinkled the surrounding dirt with water and will see if it helps. Update on the fungus below, the queen is visible again!
20191126_085433-584x542.jpg
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1 colony Lasius Niger +-100
1 starting colony Acromyrmex Octospinosus
https://photosynthesis.photoproofpro.com/gallery/100093

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Acromyrmexbob
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Re: Acromyrmex Octospinosus (Arrowing)

Post by Acromyrmexbob » Tue Nov 26, 2019 6:23 pm

Definitely need to get a humidity meter with a probe!! :roll:

Arrowing
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Re: Acromyrmex Octospinosus (Arrowing)

Post by Arrowing » Wed Dec 04, 2019 11:28 am

Hi all, its been a while so here is a bigger update:

We reported some pupea earlier on and we think they are fully grown by now.
We noticed a few ants (at least 4) that were very light of colour as you can see on the picture below.
They are now gone so we think they have the same colour as the others?
20191129_124635-1032x774.jpg
the ants were quiet passive at the end of November but the last 2 days they harvest even during daytime :D and took all kinds of leaves clementine whites, young privet, Clover and lettuce (in order of preference) everything went straight to the fungus, very amusing to watch! :lol:
As a result the fungus grew visibly.
20191204_120247-1032x774.jpg
- We don't have a hygrometer because the one we had gave 100% so we returned it... (find a good one seems to be hard, any ideas?)
- There is a haze on the lower part of their nest cube so humidity should be high (we add water to the nest cube every other day).
- They don't take any (moist) fruit at all and prefer clementine whites above fresh leaves (privet has to be 36hrs or older :roll: ).
So they above are signs that humidity is good (but can't confirm)
- Last days we have minus temperatures so it's probably game over with the "wild" leaves
- Didn't try Brussels sprouts yet, we did try spinach and watercress (which they refused)
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1 colony Lasius Niger +-100
1 starting colony Acromyrmex Octospinosus
https://photosynthesis.photoproofpro.com/gallery/100093

Kalidas
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Re: Acromyrmex Octospinosus (Arrowing)

Post by Kalidas » Sat Dec 07, 2019 4:14 pm

Arrowing wrote:
Wed Dec 04, 2019 11:28 am
Hi all, its been a while so here is a bigger update:

We reported some pupea earlier on and we think they are fully grown by now.
We noticed a few ants (at least 4) that were very light of colour as you can see on the picture below.
They are now gone so we think they have the same colour as the others?
20191129_124635-1032x774.jpg

the ants were quiet passive at the end of November but the last 2 days they harvest even during daytime :D and took all kinds of leaves clementine whites, young privet, Clover and lettuce (in order of preference) everything went straight to the fungus, very amusing to watch! :lol:
As a result the fungus grew visibly.
20191204_120247-1032x774.jpg

- We don't have a hygrometer because the one we had gave 100% so we returned it... (find a good one seems to be hard, any ideas?)
- There is a haze on the lower part of their nest cube so humidity should be high (we add water to the nest cube every other day).
- They don't take any (moist) fruit at all and prefer clementine whites above fresh leaves (privet has to be 36hrs or older :roll: ).
So they above are signs that humidity is good (but can't confirm)
- Last days we have minus temperatures so it's probably game over with the "wild" leaves
- Didn't try Brussels sprouts yet, we did try spinach and watercress (which they refused)
Way to go man, they look they are doing great. What's that fungus size up to? Looks almost lemon sized

Keep it up, and as far as a good hydrometer, I have no clue lol. I myself got a cheap one from Petco :D

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Acromyrmexbob
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Re: Acromyrmex Octospinosus (Arrowing)

Post by Acromyrmexbob » Mon Dec 09, 2019 6:50 pm

10 hygrometers, 10 different readings! Impossible to find one that you can rely on. Sounds good though. The best hygrometer is the fungus. Yours looks healthy so I am sure everything is fine.
They dont take watercress or spinach. Any brassicas like cabbage, kale etc are great. Sprouts are a definite, you can try peas, lentils. Have a good read through the food plants section, just about everything that can be tried is reported there.

Atta solider
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Re: Acromyrmex Octospinosus (Arrowing)

Post by Atta solider » Fri Mar 06, 2020 5:01 pm

How is your colony going? Have you got the temperature and humidity going on ???

Arrowing
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Re: Acromyrmex Octospinosus (Arrowing)

Post by Arrowing » Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:30 pm

Image

Our ants have been doing fine, steadily growing. However they have picked up a strange new hobby a few days ago. It seems like they have been watching the news and started hamstering. We have no explanation for why they are throwing so many leaves and oats in the nest cube. The humidity has been steady between 90 and 94 percent and temp between 24.5 and 25.5. There have been no drastic changes to trigger this. Does any one know if it means something is wrong?
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1 colony Lasius Niger +-100
1 starting colony Acromyrmex Octospinosus
https://photosynthesis.photoproofpro.com/gallery/100093

deltaromeo
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Re: Acromyrmex Octospinosus (Arrowing)

Post by deltaromeo » Sat Mar 21, 2020 9:19 am

Hi Arrowing.
I sometimes see the same behavior, mostly when there is an abundance of their favorite food ( e.g. rose petals ) But never in the quantities as seen in your picture.. and the next day the stored leaves are always gone. What strikes me is the size of the leaves that are deposited. Is that the normal size they cut their leaves in ? Hope the situation will be resolved soon ! I guess you will be removing the deposited leaves ?

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