Jump to content

  • Gallery
  • Members
  • Member Map
  • Chat
  •  
  •  

Welcome to Formiculture.com!

This is a website for anyone interested in Myrmecology and all aspects of finding, keeping, and studying ants. The site and forum are free to use. Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation points to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more. If you already have an account, login here - otherwise create an account for free today!

Photo

Odd white protrusion/excretion on queen's abdomen

Started By kgollehon , May 21 2019 9:21 PM
ant health care discussion queen testtube

  • Please log in to reply
10 replies to this topic

#1 Offline kgollehon - Posted May 21 2019 - 9:21 PM

kgollehon

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 45 posts
  • LocationWestwood

Hello all! I have been caring for an unidentified queen species since last season in a standard test-tube setup. She was caught in August around the deserts of Joshua Tree, CA. Although she initially laid a brood of eggs, all died during this last winter's hibernation period. Her abdomen has receded during this time as no eggs are currently being produced. However, there is this odd protrusion at the back of her abdomen, wondering if anyone has any idea on what it may be? 

 

Dorsal view
posterior view
Side view

 

 


Colonies: Tetramorium sp., Solenopsis xyloni

Put an end to hate, go green, vote left! Peace

#2 Offline Zeiss - Posted May 21 2019 - 9:48 PM

Zeiss

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,230 posts
  • LocationFountain Valley

That appears to be Myrmecocystus mexicanus to me.  No clue what that white thing is.  Maybe mold?


#3 Offline kgollehon - Posted May 21 2019 - 10:00 PM

kgollehon

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 45 posts
  • LocationWestwood

Thanks for the input! Not sure how she would've developed mold, do you think that'd pose a health risk to look out for? 


Colonies: Tetramorium sp., Solenopsis xyloni

Put an end to hate, go green, vote left! Peace

#4 Offline Zeiss - Posted May 21 2019 - 11:27 PM

Zeiss

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,230 posts
  • LocationFountain Valley

You could try brushing it off of her.  It could also be cotton stuck to her?  No clue.


#5 Offline drtrmiller - Posted May 22 2019 - 2:11 AM

drtrmiller

    Vendor

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,714 posts

Uhm, you can't think of any other reason a queen that just mated might have something...sticking out of her lady parts?  You do know what happens during mating, right?


  • Mettcollsuss and TennesseeAnts like this


byFormica® is the manufacturer of the iconic nectar feeders and Sunburst Ant Nectar.
byFormica ant products always deliver consistent performance, convenience,
and reliability, making them among the most beloved ant foods and kit enjoyed by
ant keeping enthusiasts worldwide. For more information, visit www.byFormica.com.

#6 Offline Zeiss - Posted May 22 2019 - 2:21 AM

Zeiss

    Advanced Member

  • Moderators
  • PipPipPip
  • 1,230 posts
  • LocationFountain Valley

Uhm, you can't think of any other reason a queen that just mated might have something...sticking out of her lady parts?  You do know what happens during mating, right?

He caught it last season and all her brood died out and it now formed after her gaster shrank.


  • AntsBC likes this

#7 Offline drtrmiller - Posted May 22 2019 - 2:26 AM

drtrmiller

    Vendor

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 2,714 posts

 

Uhm, you can't think of any other reason a queen that just mated might have something...sticking out of her lady parts?  You do know what happens during mating, right?

He caught it last season and all her brood died out and it now formed after her gaster shrank.

 

 

That's what I get for not reading.  Could still be some pathological ejection of the sperm plug, which may explain the decrease in fecundity.  Take it off and look under a microscope.




byFormica® is the manufacturer of the iconic nectar feeders and Sunburst Ant Nectar.
byFormica ant products always deliver consistent performance, convenience,
and reliability, making them among the most beloved ant foods and kit enjoyed by
ant keeping enthusiasts worldwide. For more information, visit www.byFormica.com.

#8 Offline Acutus - Posted May 22 2019 - 4:31 AM

Acutus

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 835 posts
  • LocationMaryland

Could it be an Egg? Can Ants become egg bound? I've never seen it in ants but snakes ,turtles and Lizards.


Billy

 

Currently keeping:

Camponotus chromaiodes

Camponotus castaneus

Formica subsericea

#9 Offline kgollehon - Posted May 22 2019 - 12:03 PM

kgollehon

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 45 posts
  • LocationWestwood

Thanks for all of the input guys, I let her gorge on honey and her gaster has swelled considerably. Still not sure about the protrusion but hopefully it is not related to her overall fertility. Will be keeping an eye out for any new eggs. 

 

 

*** Edit ***

 

Thought I'd add some more pics! 

 

Close-up side
Close-up back

Edited by kgollehon, May 22 2019 - 12:52 PM.

Colonies: Tetramorium sp., Solenopsis xyloni

Put an end to hate, go green, vote left! Peace

#10 Offline Guy_Fieri - Posted May 22 2019 - 6:08 PM

Guy_Fieri

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 85 posts
  • LocationOrange County

Wouldn't a queen ant with mold growing on her just remove it herself?


#11 Offline AntPhycho - Posted May 22 2019 - 7:02 PM

AntPhycho

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 399 posts
  • LocationCalifornia

If she is fertile. You are very lucky to have an M. mexicanus! Honey pot ants are one of the few species -other than solenopsis- I am extremely interested in.  :D


Founding (for myself):                                                                                       My Shop

Solenopsis invicta experiments...                                                                     California

                                                                                                                     Ants & Formicaria

                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                       

                                              

                                                  

 

 

 

Back to General Ant Keeping · Next Unread Topic →



Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: ant, health, care, discussion, queen, testtube

1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users