5 replies to this topic

[Foogoo]

At least I'm assuming they're infertile as I got them as they were swarming around the nest before they flew. I put all four of the Dorymyrmex bicolor in one container. Just wait and see? Throw them into the yard? Throw them in the freezer?

 

I also notice they're very active and try to escape upwards as opposed to the D. insanus queens I dug up from founding chambers who try to hide and escape downwards. My insect intuition is fertile queens would want to do the latter.

[dspdrew]

I have found that infertile alates sometimes want to keep trying to fly, while the fertile ones just want to run away and dig a hole.

[Myrmicinae]

If you can find some alate males, ideally from another nest, that are "in the mood," they might be willing to mate in a container.  Some others have had success with this.

Edited by Myrmicinae, March 10 2015 - 9:10 AM.

[dspdrew]

I actually did mate some Lasius in my apartment and now have what seems to be fertile queens. Greg and I both have one.

[Foogoo]

I actually did mate some Lasius in my apartment and now have what seems to be fertile queens. Greg and I both have one.

 

Did you get males in the same trip or did you happen to come upon another swarm? I revisited the site yesterday to look for founding chambers and nearly missed the original location because it was business as usual for the ants. I'd love to try but I have no idea how I can chance upon a few males. specifically bicolor males, to bring back.

 

I might try my luck this weekend. If it's a bust, they're probably going in the freezer so at least my existing colonies can get a healthy meal. Unless anyone local wants them.

[dean_k]

When I caught my Lasisu queens last September, both queens I caught had wings still, so I placed some males into a jar before moving them to a soil setup. The whole area was covered with ants, so finding males was easy.

 

Whether they actually mated or not, I have absolutely no idea.