Crematogaster pinicolaSpecies Introduction
Claustral: a single, newly-mated queen seals herself in a chamber and raises her first workers entirely on stored nutrients and metabolized wing muscles.
Native to the Southeastern United States. Pine tree specialists typically associated with "sandhill" habitat, colonies are typically found trailing up pine trees where they nest arboreally within hollowed out cavities. Crematogaster pinicola are more tolerant to higher humidity than most Crematogaster as they will typically nest in wet, rotting pine branches. Colonies are vigorous, believed to reach tens of thousands of workers. Like most Crematogaster, queens of this species get extremely physogastric as the colony matures. These ants are generalists, typically predating upon whatever insects they come across in the canopy, workers are also often found drinking from plant's extrafloral nectaries.
Crematogaster pinicola prefer a mostly dry nest with a humidity gradient for the more sensitive brood stages. Colonies get large, and active. These ants are great climbers, so a barrier is definitely recommended for these. As Crematogaster pinicola typically nests within sun-baked pine trees, it is highly recommended to heat these ants. Crematogaster pinicola are some of the most captivating Crematogaster in the Eastern US, if you enjoy an active colony that is hard to mess up, they are a great ant for you!
Formicarium
Prefers mostly dry nests; compatible with TJL Arboreal Nests (large) and gypsum/hardwood nests. Can damage soft materials with strong mandibles, will benefit from a dynamic (decorated) foraging arena. A secure nest and a fluon barrier for the outworld is recommended for these small escape-artists.
Water & Humidity
Somewhat dry. Crematogaster piniclola need a little bit of moisture in the nest, but not much. TJL Arboreal Nests provide regional humidity but a mostly-dry nesting environment.
PVA sponge recommended for test-tube founding; use normal cotton end cap.
Keep a liquid feeder with water (distilled, purified, or spring) in the foraging area at all times.
Carbohydrates
Ample access to carbohydrates (sugars) is extremely important for C. pinicola.
We recommend providing our Honeydew Honey once a week. Please note that honey-water is not suitable for use in liquid feeders and should only be provided in feeding dishes or on top of sliced, organic apple.
We also suggest having a liquid feeder in the foraging area that you keep stocked 24/7.
Protein
C. pinicola will eat quite a lot of insect protein. They engage in this fascinating behavior where they will 'chew' protein items into small pellet-like items and then store those in the drier parts of the nest for later consumption.
TrapJaw Labs feeds our C. pinicola colonies with pre-killed Drosophila melanogaster and D. hydei fruit flies, cockroach nymphs, and sliced mealworms. Termites are readily accepted and are recommended if a colony stops accepting other feeder insects.
1-2 times per week. Increase amounts to scale with brood development.
Maintenance
Week 1: Settle the founding queen somewhere dark and undisturbed. Stress from disturbance can cause her to consume her own brood, so avoid checking on her during this process. If founding in a test tube with a TJL sponge, humidity and water will be maintained throughout this process. Founding formicaria may need supplemental water added.
Weeks 6–8: First workers ('nanitics') appear. Put out a stocked sugar liquid feeder; offer a small protein item (one fruit fly or mealworm section) about once a week. Population climbs slowly, that is normal.
Months 2+: Maintain humidity and liquid feeders 24/7. Protein remains a small item, provided weekly. Consider a larger humid nest upgrade and more outworld space as the colony begins to utilize 75% of the nest space; optional supplemental heating speeds growth (but don't overdo it).
Diapause is not required for this species.
Care Summary
- Drier nest than many species. Arboreal-style systems recommended but beware of chewing capability with wood-based nests
- Liquid feeder access 24/7
- Weekly protein items
- Gradient 74–88°F