Post AhywtVk8qMLnLBbCHA by TheSecondVariation@graz.social
 (DIR) More posts by TheSecondVariation@graz.social
 (DIR) Post #AhyrdFPrHR0CIaXNJI by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2024-05-17T11:26:31Z
       
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       My Camponotus discolor colony has produced a batch of chunky queens. They all eclosed on the same day. I wonder when they fly? Alates are a mixed blessing for ant keepers— they can really drain the energy of a colony and may lead to its end. But, it’s beautiful to watch. Seriously considering mailing these girls back to Tar Heel ants in GA —. who sold me the queen. They are legal in NY but it’s too far north to let them fly.  He has many colonies— maybe he could find a way to get them mated.
       
 (DIR) Post #AhysHaWOELHFL5pPDU by pattykimura@beige.party
       2024-05-17T11:33:54Z
       
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       @futurebird I love that this old lady learns vibrant new things from following you. "eclosed" 'legal ants' and 'mail order ants.' You are a treasure, thank you.
       
 (DIR) Post #AhyvmzMWDrMpDlsLgW by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2024-05-17T12:13:11Z
       
       0 likes, 1 repeats
       
       They are such beautiful ants! You *almost* forget how ravenous, warlike and sneaky they are! The queens are all about the same shade of yellow/orange— which shows they all emerged at once. As their exoskeletons harden, their color will darken. In this species the wings are almost black—very striking! I hope the next batch isn’t all males— though this colony is massive— to think there were only 8 of them years ago. (read alt text to learn how to spot a queen ant!) #antkeeping #ants #camponotus
       
 (DIR) Post #AhywWUi0WVkFTKcqKe by blabberlicious@toot.community
       2024-05-17T12:21:25Z
       
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       @futurebird How do you mail them? Fascinated!
       
 (DIR) Post #AhywtVk8qMLnLBbCHA by TheSecondVariation@graz.social
       2024-05-17T12:25:33Z
       
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       Why do they have these huge gasters and aren't more like beetles? What are the advantages?@futurebird
       
 (DIR) Post #AhzB3QIVLPBuhmICcC by futurebird@sauropods.win
       2024-05-17T15:04:02Z
       
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       @blabberlicious First you chill them to about 65F (after you know they have had a good meal) then for a small number of ants place them in a test tube with a wet cotton ball on one end and a cotton ball to seal it. Wrap in bubble wrap then put them in a cooler with a small ice pack heavily wrapped in more bubble wrap. Ship “next day” with lots of warning stickers “live insects” Handle with care etc. It’s a lot like snakes.
       
 (DIR) Post #AhzBGme5Z8RJmUl8DI by blabberlicious@toot.community
       2024-05-17T15:06:03Z
       
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       @futurebird Amazing. It sounds preferable to flying Ryanair to Ireland! Thanks for that.