29 replies to this topic

[WeatherAnt]

My Lasius colony is still very small. They're going on their second year and have 20 or so workers, probably less. But there's a bunch of brood in various stages so hopefully they start growing soon. I also moved them into an actual formicarium so that should encourage them to grow in population size as well.

 

Your colony looks great and I can't wait for mine to get like that (not sure I'll brood boost though - probably not).

[Crystals]

This species grows very fast. I find Lasius neoniger grow fairly slow, but the one I have (I think it is Lasius crypticus) she lays hundreds of eggs.

For some reason they aren't doing much.  It is like they decided to hibernate after the move.  I still have a heating cable on them and they still avoid the warmest areas.

[dermy]

Still hibernating! If they keep this up they'll be up all winter!

[Crystals]

For the first 2 months out of hibernation the queen laid about 300-500 eggs, all of which are currently large larvae.  No further development for the past 2 months though.

Lasius are known for overwintering larvae, but I find this a little extreme.

[dermy]

Uh yeah just a little extreme, if they don't hurry up by the time they wake up you'll be ready to put them back into hibernation!

[dermy]

Are they starting to grow/pupate yet Crystal?

[Crystals]

They are no further developed than they were at the end of March.  I am pretty sure they are trying to hibernate, very little foraging.

 

I am going away for 2-3 weeks, so I am going to stick them in the fridge.  Maybe they will feel more cooperative after a nice arctic vacation...

[dermy]

Okay, hopefully they will start doing stuff after!

[Crystals]

Well, I think I must have underestimated the number of larvae by quite a bit...  There must be at least 500, possibly 1000 pupae in there right now.  Oh, and there are also more larvae too, probably another couple hundred.

 

I have sold this colony to another member on this forum.  If he wishes, he can take this journal over.

 

[dspdrew]

Wow, that's a lot of cocoons.