2 replies to this topic

[altmoola]

Hi there, just looking to see if someone has experienced something like this before. I have a Camponotus herculeanus (not 100% sure, just guessing) colony and they seem to have kept a batch of about 10-15 larva in the larval stage for a few months with no additional signs of growth. There are getting sugar and protein (fruit flies, crickets). They are currently housed in a test tube with some nesting material. I'm not sure what is preventing them from having these larva develop but it seems like a conscious decision. I have offered them other homes for them to relocate but they don't seem interested in that either. Just looking for some possible guidance. Currently there are 6 workers.

[Serafine]

They're done for this year, the larvae won't grow any further until after hibernation.

 

This is a competely normal behavior for northern Camponotus species, no need to worry. They have a 1 year plan and if they're through with it they just stop, even heating doesn't help it just makes them go into standby mode earlier.

[altmoola]

I had wondered that... thanks for reaffirming. Will the larva survive at the 8 - 12°C I plan on keeping these ants at?