4 replies to this topic

[Tetramorium]

I currently have a Lasius umbratus queen and recently captured a few Lasisus neoniger workers. I would appreciate any advice on how to best introduce Lasius neoniger workers to a Lasius umbratus queen. I recently tried to cool several Lasius neoniger workers and a Lasius umbratus queen in the same formicarium for one hour. After removing the formicarium, however, I found a Lasius neoniger worker attached to a leg of the Lasius umbratus queen (with its jaws). One individual suggested that I cool the Lasius neoniger workers for one week and then try introducing the Lasius umbratus queen to the colony. If I use this suggestion, should I also hibernate the Lasius umbratus queen? I would appreciate any advice. Thank you!

[Mads]

It would be a much better option to introduce some neoniger brood to the queen rather than neoniger workers. The queen will care for the brood and once these workers emerge they will consider the umbratus queen to be their mother.

 

Mads

[Mdrogun]

A strategy that seems to work the best is to keep both the queen and workers in hibernation for a week or longer. Then, without raising the temperature put the workers in the Lasius umbratus queen's test tube. Let them hibernate for another week-month. The longer you hibernate them in there the more likely the introduction is going to work. Good luck!

Edited by Mdrogun, May 9 2016 - 7:41 PM.

[Tetramorium]

I was actually able to find some Lasius sp. brood today and introduced them to one of the Lasius umbratus queens who didn't seem interested in them. What are your thoughts? Should I hibernate this queen with the pupae?

[Batspiderfish]

Lasius umbratus queens taking care of brood without host workers is not exactly commonplace. I have seen L. umbratus clean a larva or two after she had a host colony, but I only ever hear that they will fail to open the cocoons enclosing pupae. I have filmed Lasius subumbratus opening a cocoon of her host species, but she, too, had workers already that might have helped spur the behavior.

The best, risk-free way to introduce workers is to put a few Lasius host workers in a test tube with a few pupae. After the older workers help a pupa eclose, carefully remove the pale, young ant with a toothpick or brush and give them to the parasitic queen. Callow workers, much like brood, do not have colony allegiance and will imprint on the queen as if she were their own. Slightly more brood in varying stages can be added later, left to the care of the host workers and whatever the queen will offer. This does not need to be done under refrigeration.