Camponotus modoc
From Ant Keeping Wiki
Camponotus modoc is a large dull looking, yet timid, widespread Camponotus of Western North America.
Queen[edit]
- Nuptial Flight Time
: Use: ant-mating-chart, (NorthWest:) Early May. Flies during the middle of the day - Colony Founding : Claustral
- *gynous : Monogynous
- Brood Boostable: Yes
- Hibernation : Yes, around 3-5 months depending on the latitude
- Feeding Requirements : Like all Camponotus they benefit drastically by a diverse carbohydrate diet and plant secretions.
- Nanitics Appear After : 3 months
Food[edit]
Likes[edit]
- Crickets(1)
- Sugars/carbohydrates
- Plant secretions/nectar
- Honeydew
- Mealworms(1)
- Inchworms/small caterpillar(1)
- small flying insects like mosquitos and midges
Dislikes[edit]
- mealworms
- isopods
Colony[edit]
- Difficulty : Not very difficult, however finicky
- Typical Colony Size : Around a few thousand workers
- Polymorphic : Yes. Clearly polymorphic
- Ant Length : Nanitic: ~6mm Minor: 8mm - 12mm Median: 12mm - 14mm Major: 14-15mm Queen: 17mm Male:
- Temperament : Overall timid ants. Are not hesistant to bite if nest is disturbed or if individual is grasped.
- Suggested Feeding Schedule : Often, with constant access to sugar
- Hazards : Bite (sometimes will not let go), formic acid and biting and squirting formic acid into wound.
- Colony Growth Rate : Varies between slow and fast (10-20 workers first year or few dozen with lots of brood). Colony growth rate seems to be substantially based on the fitness of the queen.
- Egg To Worker :
- Circadian Activity : Incipient colonies: mostly nocturnal. Mature colonies: Mostly diurnal.
- Recommended Temperature : 23-25°C(2) seems to have trouble below 22-23°C.
- Recommended Humidity :
- Heating Pad Required : Highly recommended. Although be wary of overheating
- Can Climb Smooth Surfaces : Yes as well as being able to climb upside down. Able to climb slippery surfaces (wet glass, oil glass) albeit with difficulty but not upside down.
- When To Expand :
- When Do Soldiers and Reproductives Appear : Appearance of major workers is sporadic with a gradual trend towards large workers as the colony ages. Major production may be linked to cold/decreased temperatures or before hibernation however.
- Invasive/Pest : Pest to wooden structures. Not invasive however.
- Farmers : Opportunistic aphid tenders. Not known to farm aphids but will tend to them if given the chance.
- Native Location : antmaps.org, Western North America. Abundant in South western British Columbia, western Washington and Oregon. In California it is a mountanous ant found in the Sierra Nevada. Species also found abundantly in the Rocky mounatains.
- Natural Habitat : Wood nesting species, will nest in fallen logs, rotten wood, wooden structures and occasionally nests extend into the soil. Found in urbanized environments and forests, primarly coniferous forests.
- Preferred Nesting Medium : Wood, rotting wood, logs, stumps. In captivity however it can be housed in virtually any formicaria material.
- Scientific Information: antwiki.org
Notes[edit]
- (1) C. modoc by far seems to be most succesful when fed crickets, their predatation on inchworms and other larvae in trees suggests a diet that benefits best by high protein foods. Likewise although capable of sustaining on mealworms it's possible this diet is somewhat detrimental.
- Like all Camponotus they benefit from constant source of a variety of carbohydrates
- (2) Possible temperature measurements may be off.
- Seems to require a minimum amount of heat (23-24°C?) to thrive or otherwise faces brood stagnation.
- Hibernation is very important especially for Northern populations
- Workers may sometimes voluntarily jump or "fall off" if picked up
- Founding queen is sensitive to disturbance.
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