nepenthesbaphomet

felt cute, might delete later

Lasius (Acanthomyops) spp’s Aka The Citronella Ant, these ants are completely subterranean and have a mutualistic relationship with mealybugs. They are called citronella ants because of their unique defense mechanism, they produce a citronella smell to ward of would be predators. They actually smell quite nice, but are interesting to collect with an aspirator! 

Aphaenogaster fulva, this species is common in woodland habitat. I typically locate them in fallen logs, in well rotted wood with large chambers. This is the second Aphenogaster colony I have caught in the past week. I have found a group of 3 founding Aphaenogaster queens. Which I will get photos of once they settle in. But one is actually Aphenogaster tennesseensis, a parasitic species of Aphaenogaster spp’s. They infiltrate the other species nest, and kill the host colonies queen. Essentially overthrowing the queen. The conquered colonies workers then start to tend to the new queen, as well as her future brood. What I find interesting is that these A. fulva queens (I suspect), were founding a colony with 2 queens. I plan on doing some observations on this parasitic species founding behavior. I guess I will need more A. tennesseensis queens at some point!

Some shots of the mites I practice mounted at the Museum of Biological Diversity. One species was collected from a colony of Formica pallidefulva; Laelapidae Cosmolaelaps. The other from a colony of Gromphadorhina portentosa; Gromphadorholaelaps schaeferi. Macerated in 55% Lactic Acid for roughly  70 hours. Preserved in Hoyers Medium.

Two more of my colonies. Crematogaster cerasi with workers eggs brood and larvae. This queen has done excepetionally well. I hope she stays alive, and continues to produce large quanitities of workers.  Tetramorium spp. E, Larvae and pupae, pressed against the side of a formicarium. To be closer to the heat I assume. This colony is very active and are little escape artists. 

Giant Vinegaroon (Mastigoproctus giganteus), 1i. After this first instar, vinegaroons loos their bright colorful appearance. 

Workers from an Aphenogaster colony I recently caught. I hope they do well, Aphenogaster spp. are very interesting to observe in captivity. Very active ants.

Got a volenteer position at the Museum of Biological Diversity Triplehorn Insect Collection at OSU. Stuper stoked bout that shit. Might turn into a paid position, Ive also been talking to a new researcher here

I am waiting at least another year. Im letting them get a bit biger and more sizeable fot better clutches. I think some of them could mate, but I want larger clutches.

Crematogaster sp. with eggs in a Tar Heel Ants growth chamber. Probably Crematogaster cerasi *edit* - Thanks for the correction newzealanderhungarianhobbitgirl !

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The only references to this genus in Chile are 100+ years old. It needs updated in the new world outside of Brazil.