A Quiet Month: Adjusting and New Developments in the Colony
It has been a relatively quiet month for our Camponotus nicobarensis colony as they continue to adjust to their new setup. Looking back, we wonder if it might have been better for the colony to stay a little longer in their test tube before moving into the formicarium. But that’s part of the learning process—each colony is different, and antkeeping is full of these little lessons. As an antkeeper, patience is always the most important quality, and sometimes it's hard to hold back and wait.
A New Milestone: Eggs to Larvae
The most significant change over the past few weeks has been the development of the colony's eggs. After a patient wait, they’ve finally hatched into small larvae! This is a promising step forward for the colony, and it’s encouraging to see that the colony's efforts are paying off. With the larvae now under their care, the workers have new responsibilities—feeding and grooming them to ensure their healthy growth.
Shy Workers: Life Inside the Nest
One thing we’ve noticed is just how shy the workers are. We haven’t seen them venture outside the nest during the day, but we’re fairly certain they’re coming out under the cover of night. The sugar water levels seem to have dropped a bit, so it’s likely they’re sneaking out when they feel it’s safer to forage.
Even though they are keeping a low profile, their dedication to the queen and larvae inside the nest is clear. While it would be exciting to see them more active, it’s important to remember that each colony moves at its own pace. They seem focused on nurturing the larvae, and that’s exactly what they should be doing at this stage.
Looking Ahead
As we head into the next phase of the colony’s journey, we’re curious to see when the workers will become more confident and begin to explore their surroundings more frequently. For now, it’s a waiting game as they continue to settle in and care for their growing family. And of course, we have winter coming, which will slow down their development and make them even less active.
Stay tuned for more updates as we follow the steady progress of our Camponotus nicobarensis colony here at Ant Colony Journals. Each quiet moment, each small step forward, brings us closer to watching this colony thrive.
