I'll share with you a few useful tips I've picked up for the collection of cocoons and moving them from container to container.
When in the field, I will often take a wide but fine paintbrush. Cocoons can then be brushed into waiting containers. I usually then remove the workers (when they are not needed) by hand.
As for moving them individually from container to container, a fine makeup brush will do. The end should be no more than 2mm across. This can be made slightly wet with clean water to first pickup the cocoon, then simply hold the brush in the air over the container you wish to drop it into and simply tap the middle of the brush on the rim or flick it with your finger to drop the cocoon. If the cocoons are not being dropped into a container with workers that will look after them, ensure no excess water is left on the cocoon as they will mould much more quickly if they are damp.
Categories: Keeping ants | Cocoon
Tags: Keeping Ants
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